Virtual Reality is a concept that has been around since the 1950’s and has seen a sudden rise in popularity over past years. All the big name brands like Google, HTC and Facebook among others have given their take on VR presenting us with high tech gear that immerses the user into a new reality. These realities could be from a virtual tour of any place in the world to a fictional place brought to life with 3D renders.
Although its initial purpose was to take put users in these new realities, over the past years thanks to the integration of new hardware, it has opened up the world of VR to various new areas and with it new opportunities of integration in the working world. Various tasks can now be optimized utilizing virtual reality:
- Conferences: the conventional “speak to the phone” conference calls can now have a more personal approach when contacting a client or coworker. Utilizing VR, you can have the “lobby” experience while you discuss upcoming projects. Material utilized in a conference can now be visualized in a 3D environment adding a whole new level to presentations.
- E-commerce: products sold online can now give the client a more in depth look at what he is looking to buy. Utilizing VR, the user can now offer a 3D rendered catalog of products giving the client a scalable model of a certain product while adding the option of personalizing said product offering a real time customization.
- “Hands-on” development for products: during the development process of a project, it is on occasions hard to interpret what exactly the finished product will look like even when using 3D models that were visualized 2D. VR allows developers to output a 3D model that can be visualized in a 3D manner, allowing members or clients to actually see what the final product will look like without limiting to just the outside but also be able to decompose and see deeper into the product. Within these 3D environments the developer will be able to “sculpt” utilizing external hardware like joysticks that act as an element within the environment.
- Virtual tours: depending on the business, virtual tours can be what separates them from the competition. For the hospitality industry and real estate, a preview of their variety of accommodations and instalments offers context that conventional video and images can’t.
A practical example of applied virtual reality is Lowe's Holoroom. When a client visits one of their instalments, utilizing Oculus-Rift virtual reality lens and design the kitchen or bath of their dreams. This is a trend that is growing more and more across many industries.
It would seem that the world of Virtual Reality is just beginning opening up the possibilities of optimizing what it currently offers with direct integration of specific hardware adding even more opportunities for businesses to integrate VR in their tasks offering better products and work dynamics.
At Mijo! Brands we know that new technologies impulse new areas of opportunity for businesses to stand out of the competition. Staying up to date on the latest technological advances promises better quality in future projects and communication within businesses related tasks.
Erik Torres is Web Developer at Mijo! Brands, a leading digital agency with offices in CDMX and Puerto Vallarta. For more information, please contact us.