Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are two technologies that have captured our imagination since their inception. They allow us to experience things that would otherwise be impossible. How did they get so popular so quick? And why haven’t we seen them yet?
Tech Contrast
Virtual Reality
VR was originally developed back in the 1960’s by Ivan Sutherland at MIT. Although he didn’t invent virtual reality, his system allowed australian online pokies real money players to interact with 3D objects in virtual space through head-mounted displays. Today, VR has become a multibillion-dollar industry, and has been adopted across a variety of industries, including gaming, healthcare, manufacturing, real estate, tourism, advertising, and retail.
Augmented Reality
While AR was created in order to improve upon VR, it also proved to be very useful to consumers. In addition to providing enhanced visual experiences, augmented reality allows users to see additional information overlaid onto the real world. This can include anything from displaying weather forecasts over a city or flight delays on a map. The possibilities are almost endless.
Expansion into Everyday Use
It wasn’t until 2016 when both companies began making major strides towards adoption in everyday life. Facebook acquired Oculus for $2 billion dollars and Google bought out HTC for $1 billion. Both companies made the decision to release consumer products. Now there are more than 50 companies working on VR/AR technology and you can expect more developments as time goes on!
Why It Was So Quickly Adopted
Although VR and AR sound like pretty high tech concepts, it is because of this, people are already using these technologies today. Some of the most common uses of VR are video games, movies, south african casino gambling, shopping, and education. One example of its use in education is in medical schools where doctors use VR to provide a better understanding of anatomy.
The Bottom Line
Today, we have access to an amazing array of new technology. We often forget how far along these technologies really are though. While virtual reality headsets are starting to hit store shelves, augmented reality hasn’t even been released to the public yet. But don’t worry, in just a few years, your kids will get to enjoy the same interactive content that you do now.