Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality / Extended Reality

Technology Trends - 2022

Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality / Extended Reality

Virtual Reality (VR) immerses the user in a digital environment while Augmented Reality (AR) enhances the user's environment.  Thus VR allows a user to experience and manipulate the environment as if it were the real world whereas AR integrates digital information into the user's real-world environment.  Thus VR / AR / ER have been used for training, entertainment, education, and marketing.   In 2022, it is anticipated that these forms of technologies will be further integrated into our lives.  New, lighter, more portable VR devices will become available that connect to phones providing superior VR experiences. These extended reality advances pave the way for incredible experiences in the metaverse. 

According to Jonathan Steuer, virtual reality has two key components:

1. Depth of Information: the quality and amount of data the user is fed by the virtual environment - display resolution, graphics quality, sound quality, haptic feedback, and complexity of the environment.
2. Breadth of Information: how many senses are being stimulated by the virtual environment - these should include audio and visual with advanced systems including all five senses to enhance immersion.

In 2019, there were 14 million AR and VR devices sold with the global AR and VR market forecasted to grow to $209.2 billion by 2022.  According to Capgemini, 43% of manufacturing companies say VR will become mainstream in their organization within the next three years.