Over the past month, we’ve listened in on multiple augmented reality & virtual reality webinars, read several reports, and researched extended reality heavily. During this time, we’ve discovered some incredible use cases and outlooks for the XR industry. Here are our latest insights into AR & VR that we have discovered.
VR/AR Training Methods to Grow by 46% in the Upcoming Years
Immersive training in enterprise is rapidly growing according to Accenture. Between 2018 and 2023, VR & AR training methods will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 46%. The market is expected to reach over $8 billion by 2023. This massive growth is due to undeniable benefits that immersive training offers. VR and AR training experiences are more memorable and allow for a better understanding of the task that the trainee is learning. The oil giant BP recently implemented VR training content of offshore drilling operations. BP found that the VR training enabled them to complete a drilling task months ahead of schedule, and 40% under budget. VR and AR training is becoming more widespread everyday with employers reaping great benefits just like BP.
Combining VR with Bio-sensors to Help Treat Patients with Anxiety and Stress Disorders
One use case of virtual reality that people often forget about is treatment and therapy. Several organizations are beginning to combine bio-sensors with VR to treat anxiety and stress. The main goal of this treatment is to help users become self-aware of their temperament and feelings. EEG sensors and heart rate monitors create data that is input into a VR environment, allowing users to see a graph of their feelings. In essence, your brain patterns and heart rate are used to manipulate objects in VR & AR. Once users have become self-aware of their thoughts, an object would appear, move, or interact with the user. An example being if you are calm for a certain amount of time, a flower will bloom in front of you, or a star will illuminate. When users see their feelings, they can have better control of their thoughts and learn to be more calm. This use case has potential to significantly help those that struggle with anxiety and stress.
5G Will Allow for Split Rendering of Immersive Data, Making Headsets Smaller than Ever
Virtual reality headsets are making huge advancements. When headsets were first available on the market, a wired connection to a PC was required. Today, stand-alone devices like the Oculus Quest have made VR more portable than ever. Technology never stops improving though, and a new innovation in portability may rise soon. With 5G quickly becoming a reality, XR devices will no longer have to be large and complex. The immense download speeds that 5G brings to the table will be crucial in allowing for VR devices to get more compact. Combining graphics input from the localized device with 5G data connection will get rid of the need for a high end graphics card. Furthermore, less chip and power requirements will make devices smaller and more convenient. Along with this, 5G will allow for seamless immersive experiences without any lag. With 5G, VR devices can become as convenient as wearing a pair of sunglasses.
VR and AR are growing in scale, capabilities, and opportunities constantly. To keep on track with the trends and more insights, check out the rest of CodeTank’s developer blog here.
Written by Ethan Rosas @ CodeTank Labs
Below are links to company pages and webinars.
Links:
Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality in Healthcare: https://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/14711/359195?utm_campaign=user_webcast_register&utm_medium=calendar&utm_source=brighttalk-transact
XR and 5G: https://www.qualcomm.com/media/documents/files/boundless-mobile-xr-over-5g.pdf
Accenture XR presentation: https://www.accenture.com/_acnmedia/Accenture/Redesign-Assets/DotCom/Documents/Global/1/Accenture-G20-YEA-report.pdf#zoom=50