Will Virtual Reality Become More Common Due To The Pandemic?
In the early 1960’s Morton Heilig built the Sensorama, which was likely the first virtual reality prototype. It became the inspiration for continuing to build on VR technology. Today, there are VR arcades all over the country and home systems are growing in popularity. Microsoft and Google are examples of the major players in the VR space today.
So, virtual reality devices have been with us for a few decades now. We can virtually drive race cars, visit exotic places, play every imaginable game, and even visit outer space. And without leaving our living room, or the gallery that provides these experiences for an hourly charge. Maybe we have had a single or occasional experience with virtual reality in this context, but it has probably not been something we do frequently or with any regularity. And if we have a choice between having the real experience, we probably prefer to choose that option over covering our eyes with big clunky goggles and sitting in a chair.
However, the real experience often involves close contact with others, or traveling to a crowded venue, amusement park, and sitting close to strangers in stadiums and auditoriums. If it involves some kind of athletic activity it may even involve bodily contact with another. Will we ever return to a state of mind for taking those physical experiences for granted again? We don’t know enough yet to answer that question affirmatively. But there are other options such as virtual reality sessions.
I would not be surprised to learn that virtual reality designers, engineers and purveyors are already recognizing the unexpected opportunity that has dropped into their laps due to the global pandemic. Virtual reality may soon come to be the best and safest means to have an unlimited variety of adventurous experiences. While I am not fully aware of the selection of such VR experiences currently available, I am inclined to think there is a lot of room for growth and expansion of this technology category.
The opportunities reach much farther than just home-based devices. Other venues may recognize the scope of this entertainment opportunity and add it to their experience menu. Whole new venues we currently do not have could emerge. American entrepreneurship usually does not let such a ripe idea lay dormant too long. Virtual reality studios, boutiques, cafes and your idea here are already common in most US cities and likely to grow in instance and popularity anyway. But the current pandemic could very well accelerate growth of new business models. Can we imagine ways the entertainment and travel industries might become popular outlets for virtual reality versions of their products?
There is no limit to all the business categories that can and may introduce this option to their regular business model. It can add amazing dimension to sharing what they offer to their market. Customers will be able to walk up and down the aisles of stores to shop, virtually select a product and pull it off the shelf, examine content, replace it and select something else. They will be able to visit destinations all over the world, view actual hotel rooms and surrounding areas. Perhaps they may want to fly their own virtual plane to a desired destination.
Likewise, resort destinations may integrate a large menu of virtual reality experiences as part of their product and service offering. This would be another way to pamper a guest with exciting new experiences without taking any physical risks.
What do you think? Does virtual reality sound like a growth market in today’s uncertain world?
