Learning and Living in AR, VR, and AI
At its most basic, Virtual Reality (VR) is simply a simulation of a 3D environment. But on a deeper level, when we step into an immersive space, we are transforming human experience. VR could profoundly impact the way we work, learn, and play, creating new opportunities and raise unanticipated ethical challenges.
Virtual Reality replaces the real world with a digital simulation that can immediately impact your senses. Early VR headsets were bulky and difficult to wear until the consumer VR revolution which began with the Oculus Kickstarter project. Early on, Google offered its own inexpensive solution with a pseudo-VR experience through Google Cardboard and a smartphone. requires additional technology such as Smartphones and low-cost VR. Soon, the Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Go arrived, along with high-end systems such as Oculus Rift, the HTC Vive, and PlayStationVR. Content ranges from 360-degree photos and videos (though this is not fully VR) to deeply immersive geo-located environments with haptic feedback (that relies on gloves, vests, and full-body suits).
With the rapid advance of the technology behind Virtual Reality, we’ve seen new standalone VR headsets – especially the new Oculus Quest which offers full-motion, untethered, virtual experiences. We will soon see a convergence of immersive technologies with AI, making our current virtual experiences seem simplistic. These technologies will feed off of one another, creating the virtual worlds of the future.
VR is creating fascinating opportunities for Education, Media, Storytelling, Journalism, Work, and Retail environments. It is already beginning to transform entertainment and learning even though we are in the first steps of a long journey. In the end, it will impact society far more than the development of the graphical interface at the Xerox PARC labs in the 1970s for computing.
We are only now beginning to identify the ethical issues that will be raised by Virtual Reality. What we do know is that technology will continue to progress, eventually blurring the boundary between the real world and the virtual. It is precisely this intersection of the real and the virtual that both fascinates and concerns us. It is where Digital Bodies resides.
A report in Engadget reveals that Microsoft has been working on visual accessibility issues in VR. SeeingVR is an innovative tool kit for Unity developers to help people with low vision. It includes a bifocal lens …
Read more Microsoft Tackles Visual Accessibility Issues in VR
Take a look at Chris Milk’s recent interview with The Wrap on Storytelling in AR and VR. The innovative director and immersive artist is the CEO of the VR tech and entertainment company, Within. Other companies …
If you like virtual reality or 3D experiences, then Europe’s largest VR lab is definitely where you want to be. It would be a storyteller’s or gamer’s paradise, except that the facility is designed for use …
A recent YouGov survey shows that VR challenges to adoption remain – with cost leading the way. Basic familiarity with the technology has grown slowly with a third of adults saying they know something about VR …
Read more VR Challenges: Cost, Social Element and Health Concerns
There was no better way to wrap up the GDC 2019 conference than Valve Software’s Mike Ambinder talking about a brain-computer interface in VR. No need to worry about any immediate developments in BCI (as it’s …
As anticipated, the new Oculus Rift S was announced today at GDC 2019. It launches this spring for $399 – or the same as the Oculus Quest. Which also launches this spring, as will others. Yes, …
You may have seen Talespin’s announcement earlier this week for VR and AI soft skills training. It’s just the proverbial tip of the iceberg of what’s to come as artificial intelligence begins to integrate into virtual …
Read more VR and AI Soft Skills Training Raises Fascinating Questions
The Sundance immersive stage in the New Frontier program offered cutting-edge projects with immersive technologies. We’ve been going to Sundance for the last five years and love our all-too-brief visits to Park City and its snow-peaked …
Back at OC5 conference in 2018, Oculus announced the launch of their “Expressive Avatars” by the end of the year. As the Oculus Blog put it, the idea was to feature realistic avatars with, . . . …
We’re soaking up all the VR that the Sundance Film Festival has to offer this week and missed the recent Lumiere™ Awards. But it’s worth noting the recognition for Van Jones and Elijah Allan-Blitz’s project, The Messy Truth …
Read more The Messy Truth VR Experience wins a Lumiere™ Award
We’re on our way to the Sundance VR program at the popular film festival in Park City. We’ll have some reflections later this weekend and next week (assuming my fingers aren’t too cold to type) once …
Read more Sundance VR program experiments with Mixed Reality and AI
We see a lot of amazing virtual reality projects these days, but medical VR stands out for its immediate impact. You might even see medical simulations as the “low-hanging” fruit of VR adoption. They’re often expensive …
Read more Innovative Medical VR Projects are Transforming Pediatric Care
A couple of interesting projects surfaced recently involving VR and cars. One is based on patents from the ride-sharing service Lyft, the other from Audi’s announcement at CES 2019. Both are fascinating for how they could redefine …
Read more VR and cars – are you ready to drive around in Virtual Reality?
Happy New Year from Digital Bodies! Stay curious and imagine the possibilities! May it be a peaceful 2019! There will be many significant developments VR and AR in 2019. Expect to see standalone headsets, 5G, new …
As we reach the end of the year, it’s time to look back on our top ten VR and AR articles for 2018. We’ve wrapped up an incredible year of writing, travel, podcasts, and speaking engagements. …