The trajectory of immersive learning (Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality) is not just about the present but also about its promising future. Virtual Reality (VR) technology continues to evolve and find applications in various fields, paving the way for a future that surpasses early predictions and expectations. This article will focus on VR, and I will cover AR developments in upcoming articles.
For eLearning applications, these have been the main uses and improvements:
- Educational games: VR remains popular in gaming hardware and software.
- Enterprise applications: VR has found significant use in training, simulation, and design across industries like healthcare, engineering, and architecture.
- Education: VR is becoming more widely used for immersive learning experiences in educational settings.
- Social VR: Platforms for social interaction in virtual spaces continue to develop, though they still need to replace traditional social media.
Other immersive uses of related technologies have also attracted interest from developers,
- Hardware improvements: VR headsets have become more comfortable, powerful, and affordable, addressing some early adoption barriers.
- Mixed (MR) and Augmented Reality: These related technologies have seen a surge in interest, sometimes even overshadowing pure VR. This growing fascination with immersive technologies is a testament to their potential and the exciting developments ahead.
- Metaverse concepts: While the idea of a fully realized metaverse, a collective virtual shared space, is still largely theoretical, there is renewed interest in VR technologies that could contribute to its development. Continued improvements in hardware, software, and content creation will drive immersive technology's future.
Despite massive interest in artificial intelligence (AI) since 2022, VR, AR, and MR have continued to evolve and find new applications. Since 2023, there has been renewed interest in these technologies for their potential to create immersive, interactive experiences that can enhance learning and skill development across various industries.
VR continues to offer fully immersive experiences, improving resolution, field of view, and motion tracking. AR has seen significant growth, especially in mobile applications and wearable devices, overlaying digital information in the real world. MR, which blends elements of both VR and AR, is gaining traction as a versatile tool for both consumer and enterprise applications. These technologies have proven particularly valuable in training and simulation due to their ability to create safe, repeatable, and cost-effective learning environments, reassuring educators about the practical benefits of their investment in these technologies.
Here are three specific examples of new and valuable applications since June 2023:
- Medical Training in Disaster Response: A major healthcare technology company developed a VR-based training program for emergency medical personnel responding to mass casualty incidents. This system simulates various disaster scenarios, allowing medical teams to practice triage, coordination, and decision-making under pressure. The program incorporates AI-driven NPCs (non-player characters) that respond realistically to the trainees' actions, providing a highly dynamic and adaptive learning experience.
- Industrial Maintenance with AR: A leading industrial equipment manufacturer launched an AR-based maintenance system for complex machinery. Field technicians use AR glasses to overlay diagnostic information and step-by-step repair instructions directly onto the equipment they're servicing. This application has significantly reduced repair times and errors while serving as an on-the-job training tool for new technicians.
- Military Mixed Reality Combat Simulation: A defense contractor unveiled a new MR combat simulation system for military training. This system combines physical props and environments with virtual elements to create highly realistic combat scenarios. Trainees wear MR headsets that blend the real environment with virtual enemies, obstacles, and mission objectives. The system also incorporates haptic feedback suits to simulate physical impacts, enhancing the realism of the training experience.
These examples demonstrate how VR, AR, and MR are leveraged to create more effective, engaging, and realistic training experiences across various industries. As technology advances, we can expect to see even more innovative applications. The speed with which the immersive technology market, players, and their offerings are changing is approaching hypersonic levels. Rather than offer a list of specific company and product names that will be outdated by November 2024, I make two suggestions.
First, set up your personal knowledge management system and update it weekly from your online and print publication scans. Personally, I like tagged entries in Evernote and notetaking systems such as Tiago Forte's Building a Second Brain. Second, attend conferences such as The Learning Guild's DevLearn 2024 in November to learn about the latest developments and network with industry professionals.