In our “Through the Looking Glass” presentation we explored the various industries which are leading in the hyper visual era. We have continued to see innovative explorations that enrich the visual experience and connections through VR, AR, mixed reality and connected devices. Below are some of the trends we have spotted.
The entertainment industry is to broaden the reach of VR experiences from content creation and VR hubs with the aim to take VR into mainstream. The Sundance 2017 saw the rise of VR series. VR audience will soon gain access to a 12 episode sci -fi series Luna, an action adventure, Miss Gloria ,which sees a robotic hero looking for a missing girl as well as a ‘stoner’ comedy called ‘Bad trip’.
Cinema Company IMAX has recently launched its first VR centre in Los Angeles. The company aims to open VR entertainment hubs in various malls, movie theatres and tourist hotspots in the United States.
Google Day dream now has a competitor for online VR content. Youtube VR, launched in November 2016, has created an easier, more realistic way of streaming online content with voice-activated features.
Smart Lens
A report by Transparent Market research estimates that the global value of contact lens will be worth $13.4 billion by 2019. Companies are pushing the boundaries exploring the possibilities of the use of contact lenses.
The University of Washington has developed a prototype wifi-enabled smart contact lens that monitors the wearer’s glucose levels. The development, called Interscatter, enables communication between the contact lens and smart devices such as cell phones and smart watches.
Samsung has been granted a patent for a contact lens with an integrated camera that is controlled via blinking. The lens will also have an antenna and sensors that detect movement. The patent includes a Bluetooth earpiece and screen-like display called Gear Blink.
Mixed Reality
Mixed reality allows for viewers to experience a combination of VR and AR simultaneously. The industry is set to be worth $165 billion by 2020. This platform has sparked interest in various industries from medical, automotive and sports. NFL has collaborated with Microsoft Hololens with the aims of enhancing home audiences football experience.
Recently created application, Google Tilt brush, allows for architects and designers to walk through their sketches in 3D and draw on them as they move. Available on the HTC Vive headset device, the app has been used to create a short VR animated film. The future of music depicts the virtual advancements of the music industry in 2030 featuring an artist named Sara preparing for her VR gig. Sara and her band members rehearse via VR with the use of mixed reality instruments.
By: Khumo Theko
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Image credits: businessinsdier.com AND appleinsider
