There are so many applications for virtual technology. At the moment, there are some barriers, and while there are plenty of people watching short videos and playing games in VR, there are many applications that have not yet been fully explored, and that certainly haven’t become mainstream.
So, what else will we be able to experience in the future with VR? Will everyone have a headset one day and log in to this second reality that allows us to watch, play and experience new things?
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Event coverage
This has been tested with some level of success, but event coverage in VR is a relatively new concept and it certainly hasn’t yet hit the heights we predict that it will.
Imagine if there had been the option to watch the moon landing in VR? This was one of the most viewed television events ever, with 18% of the global population watching it. If it took place now, the astronauts might be able to wear VR cameras, and through your own headset, you could imagine you were really there yourself.
Among the other top viewed events, such as Live Aid, which almost 40% of the global population tuned in for, there would have been more opportunities for exciting coverage if we had VR technology then, with a more immersive experience available.
Fortunately, this technology is becoming more mainstream and you may be able to watch big events, such as Glastonbury and other huge festivals, in VR from the comfort of your home in the future.
More gaming uses, such as slots and table games
Gaming is already an area that has led the way when it comes to virtual reality. There are likely to be a number of different online slots games and table games that become available to play on your devices using a VR headset. This means that you’ll get that immersive feeling – as if you were sitting within a casino, rather than having to play the game on the simple interface built by a gaming company.
Slots and table games are already very popular, but if you could put on a VR headset and feel as if you were walking into the casino, this might be even more exciting.
Training and education
In many industries and areas of education, VR is the closest we will get to the real thing. This can help people to train in areas such as scuba diving, first aid and even aviation, where it can be hard – and expensive – to get the hands-on experience you need.
Rather than just reading a textbook or watching a video, a VR experience is much closer to the real-life experience you might have, which makes it the perfect companion for training. It also allows you to train remotely rather than having to be in a specific room with someone.
Education can even cover historical events and while these aren’t available in VR now, how great would it be if students could be shown Barack Obama’s inauguration (watched by one billion worldwide) in a VR setting. One day, events like this will have this coverage.
Tourism industry
Imagine if, when booking the next hotel you were considering going to, you could check out the rooms in virtual reality before you went. This option already exists, especially for some of the more exciting and expensive hotels in the world. Luxury brands may already offer VR tours, so you can see whether or not you want to stay there.
In 1973, in iconic Hawaii Elvis Presley became the first solo performer broadcast live all over the world. Imagine one day if every concert even in luxurious travel destinations could be watched in BR including the beautiful Hawaiian setting.
Eventually, we expect it to be a much more mainstream thing to do. Even platforms such as Airbnb may eventually have an option for you to check out what the place looks like in VR, rather than just looking through photos or videos.
House viewing
In a similar way to wanting to view accommodation before you stay there, virtual reality house viewings may have an interesting and crucial use within the industry, especially for people who are looking to buy property abroad or far away, in areas where it is difficult to get to the home for a viewing.
Imagine going 1,000 miles to view a house, only for it to look nothing like the photos. The disappointment would be extreme, but with VR, it is much easier to get an idea of things like the size of the property and to see how it is laid out.
When Harry and Meghan Markle walked down the aisle of St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle it was one of the most popular streamed events ever, but imagine if you could have been in the room via VR and seen the sheer scale of Windsor Castle. You’re probably not going to buy this, but the principle is the same.
Again, this is something that we have experienced already to some extent, but it is clearly in its infancy, and one day it could well be the case that VR property viewing becomes the norm. Many real estate agents are switching to video and VR rather than just photographs, which can be misleading or not provide a clear indication of scale and size.
