Will VR and AR Technology Take Over The World?

Today with the use of software and intellectual applications that aid us with decision making, it is estimated about 75% of UK companies rely on intellectual technologies to process information in order to operate their business efficiently according to Financial Times (2017). There is a growing virtual transition towards the way people communicate and interact with existing technologies whether that is by playing a video game on the smartphone (Pokémon Go) or considering purchasing interior for the dining room with the use of the Room 3D Planner App for IKEA. The presence of 3D technology integration has not been more prevalent these couple of years since the last decade.

VR (Virtual Reality) Technology is a digital simulation that is artificial in the sense of the environment but it gives a sense of reality by stimulating the visual and hearing senses. Certain examples of these technologies are established on video and gaming platforms. The Oculus Rift technology is becoming extremely popular and developed even further to create an enhanced user interface with a sense of real simulation that will help businesses to efficiently deliver a product or service to the client.

AR (Augmented Reality) Technology is an enhancement of digital layered simulation with existing realistic algorithms which is then interacted by the end user. Similar to the Home Planner App, architects are benefitting from a similar technology referred to as Building Information Modelling (BIM). BIM is moving towards mainstream in comparison to VR due to the efficiencies that are produced on construction projects in the United Kingdom and Europe. A shocking 60% of UK construction professionals use and strongly believe BIM will help reduce costs and reduce greenhouse emission according to National Building Specification (2017).

Large tech companies are looking to seek new creative ways to interpret and use technologies such as: 3D emails, interactive images or moments, holographic text messages with motion commands. These concepts are not new but they will change the way people communicate in the world today.

The downside with the VR and AR technologies are likely to result to lack of natural contact with people and nature as most communication would be done on a digital platform. Despite the adversities of spending several hours every day online scrolling through endless social feeds which could lead to adverse psychological conditions, there is a growing demand for the integration of VR and AR technologies to be incorporated into existing technologies.

Both AR and VR do not operate simultaneously in full capacity as yet; however, if it is developed further it can create a real 3D experience of what is deemed reality today in the world. Such a blend could undoubtedly blur true vision of reality with virtual reality.