The latest push for VR: Anyone see any applications?
 

Other than gaming? Everyone is saying that VR will 'stick' this time around. I'd like to do some virtual traveling, but beyond that, I'm not seeing any real world applications.

dating or "dating"?

I've been thinking of things to help keep my 93 year old mother occupied in some way. If I could use VR to being the Louvre', the Sistine Chapel, the Museum of Natural History and other such like to her I would.

I've always figured that some day I'd be able put on a pair of goggles and watch a movie in an imax or at least very large screen experience.

I had a set of Sony goggles 20+ years ago that I used on long international trips to watch movies in this manner. They were awesome, but pricey.

Realty?

Imagine having a God's eye view to every Daytona race or sporting event.

Honestly I don't see a need to expand beyond gaming and sports at the moment. Done right, both should be enough.

What was the picture like? I know I've seen "big screen TV goggles" before, but my impression was the quality/experience wasn't that great.

I can also see experiencing things that are too costly, too far away, or too limited in access. Think Antartica, non-public parts of the Vatican, the various art museums, etc. Or perhaps cave diving here in the springs of N FL.

The latest SI swimsuit edition is done in VR so you can be there for the shoot.

Your welcome

Virtual Reality

I've been chomping at the bit for the Oculus Rift. Almost bought a DK2 on Craigslist last week for $400. I should have.. they're selling on Ebay for :eek::eek:

But.. I can see them being used for driver training. Someone needs to develop a seriously good city driving simulation. Especially for big trucks.

Oh, and porn, of course.

And concerts and sporting events filmed in 360 degree 3D.

There was something being developed for them to help strengthen a lazy eye. Apparently it's been cancelled.. I wanted to try it.

Watch your porn with the "strong" eye closed ...


not sure if that should be in green or not...

hahaha ;)

For 20 year old tech, it was quite good. Back then, we were lucky to have a movie on a dinky screen 20' in front of you, so I was happy with the setup.

http://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/remember-glasstron-we-were-such-dorks-back-then-1586657977

There used to be a rumour back in the 80s that CD Rom technology uptake was due to some seed money being poured into the porno industry by some technology companies...

I preordered the Occulus HD but only to complete a dedicated iRacing rig...

Everything mentioned thus far is just 360 degree pre-recorded video, which is not VR at all. I don't find 360 video interesting in the least bit. The whole premise of VR is that it allows you to explore an environment in real time, not something that is pre-recorded and you just get to look around.

My background is in architecture and 3D modeling/animation, so VR holds great promise in allowing architects and their colleagues/customers the opportunity to explore spaces during the design process. I'm really excited about that.

Its going to take some very sophisticated modeling software to achieve believable realism, which is paramount for VR to be accepted in the mainstream.

I've been out of it for 20 years, but it looks like the tech is getting pretty good.

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eMF1Th5HK9A?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

One of my friends has always everything in entertainment electronics was driven by the porn industry. They drove the push for VCRs, CD and DVDS and Blue Ray and the new HD and 4K Stereo with full surround sound.

No doubt someday there will be a first person porn that will let the customer experience first hand a "date" with some super hot model or movie star.

Eventually the titles that let you experience a movie like a James Bond movie where you are James Bond will be available. That will be a few years yet. :cool:

Virtual architect?

On the move: VRCade combines free motion with head-mounted virtual reality | Ars Technica

Architecture or real estate make sense to me.

So motion, instead of driving games we will be able to go into our virtual garage and actually build stuff??

Sounds like a greenie conspiracy to me;)

Real estate:
-Realtor walks through house and grounds with multi-camera headset.
-Property is converted to CAD.
-Buyer can walk through with reality camera view.
-or view in CAD view(changing wall colors, rearranging layout or changing kitchen materials, add additions, add pictures and furniture and carpet and landscaping, etc).
-Buyer can view property as if he/she already lived in it.

Mechanics: next step up for Haynes or Chiltons wink wink..
-Mech views vehicle in 3D layout.
-Mech selects job, such as timing belt.
-Computer shows instructional steps #1,#2,#3,etc with exploded 3D CAD view.
("Step #1 remove accessory drive belts. Use tool #XX to hold pulley. [popup view of tool]. There are five 13mm bolts [here], [here], and [here]. [highlighted in red]. Bottom bolt requires a 3" extension on a swivel.")
etc.

There is already a way to get good, cost effective 3D models of houses for RE. Just find a way to integrate with the headset and you'd be golden!

Matterport 3D Models of Real Interior Spaces


Edit,
looks like they are working on a VR setup too
http://matterport.com/virtual-reality/

That's actually pretty impressive! I don't think it has any real world use for realtors - too expensive - but interesting, nonetheless.

The 3d modeling is awesome. Several local guys have the camera and will do a house for ~$300 depending on size. Clients love being able to look at the 3D model on their computer, can tour the house anytime, anywhere!

Augmented Reality has more chops like Hololens, when you blend real with virtual there are many more applications, Google Glass and over the shoulder coaching or watching a heat signature of something you are working on.

At least we have unbound opportunities to explore whatever we can think of now and try it. Don't even get me started on the Internet of things... :rolleyes:

The company my daughter works with uses VR for training surgeons on procedures inside virtual bodies.

Probably great for LEO training/military. Nostatic could probably chime in on what DOD has in mind for their guys...

I was hoping to use it for my indoor bike trainer to replace the 1D bigscreen and projector, but alas early users in this app have complained of serious motion sickness.

One of my friends was responsible for a quasi VR short film called "Windy Day". Motorola surprises Moto X owners with interactive film from 'Ratatouille' co-director | The Verge

It is a pre-determined story but the action happens around you, you can look around at whatever you like, the events adjust to what you are looking at.

They are doing more of this, although to date it has been for Android so I've not viewed any of it. I believe the technology has advanced significantly since "Windy Day" and I would guess an iOS version will eventually show up.

The potential for video games is obvious and, I think, potentially pretty amazing. Combined with Kinect, you could leap off a landing craft, struggle through the bloody surf, and assault the Normandy beaches. I'd think there would be training and simulation applications for police, military, etc.

I'm not sure how much appeal full VR will have for first person movies. Would you really want to play the Mel Gibson character in Road Warrior?. Seems pretty exhausting, especially the parts where he's tied up, being beaten, etc. How about being the Billy Crystal character in When Harry Met Sally?. As much as I have/had a crush on Meg Ryan, I think it would be more fun to watch Billy Crystal be funny than stand there, tongue tied and dull witted, myself.

Anyway, I'm sure VR has major potential.

Wasn't there a news documentary where they showed using VR to help vets overcome PTSD?

They walk through the scene observing, and after multiple times, their anxiety would lessen as their mind was trained that there was nothing to fear.

I think it all depends on how filthy rich you are. For normal people it will never really be VR it will be a headset you wear and that's it.

For the extremely rich it will become a lot of the things mentioned here. You will be the star of the next big movie and the movie will play out based on the choices you make.

That's work from our lab: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFw9C5vEqQY

VR/AR/Mixed Reality is going to change everything - eventually. It will take time and a lot of experimentation, but immersive is a new medium

Inside USC