10 industries that will be disrupted by VR / AR

Many people in tech are really excited about the new Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality platforms such as Oculus Rift, Sony Playstation VR, or Hololens, and discussing how they will impact our lives.

On the other hand, some are quite skeptic about these technologies suggesting that they will be new failures like Google Glass due to UX issues. We believe that these technologies have a huge potential for many industries despite these UX issues.

Let’s take a look at how Virtual and Augmented Reality technologies can disrupt some of the major industries.

1. Gaming

Gaming is entering a new era in 2016, and the gaming experience is about to change forever with Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR).

The expectations are huge from Facebook’s $2 billion acquisition Oculus Rift and Sony’s VR Playstation as they have already started to build their own ecosystem and app stores.

While many corporations are betting on VR, Microsoft is betting on AR with Hololens. Nevertheless, time will show which technology or platform will be more popular for gaming, but it’s for sure that both VR and AR will go way beyond gaming…

2. Entertainment

With a VR headset, you can take a part in a movie or become a part of an audience in a live event. Imagine being a few feet away from your favorite movie, sports or rock stars.

A new revolution is coming soon for the Entertainment industry with the use of VR for Movies, Porn, and Live Events such as sports or concerts. These areas of use will be the catalyst for VR technology to reach mass users outside the gaming community.

3. Architecture & Real-estate

Virtual modeling of new properties will be a huge value-add for architectural design and real-estate.

The walk-through of a 3D model can be embedded in a website or in an app. A virtual concept will not only be used in the design process, but also for promoting a real-estate development even before the construction starts.

4. Education

Virtual reality and augmented reality will both add in experience-based learning, as our kids will be able to learn and practice new skills in simulated environments.

Students will be able to visit historical venues, or experience great works of art from anywhere in the world. They may also interact with other students and instructors in virtual spaces.

5. Travel, Hospitality, and Leisure

VR enables travel, hospitality and leisure companies to offer their potential guests teleporting experiences to their destinations with the closest experience to actually being at these locations.

Virtual visits before a booking will probably be available on all the hotel and travel booking sites as a cost effective -try before you buy- service. Some hotel chains are already betting on innovative customer experiences using VR with the hope of increasing motivations to travel.

6. Military

US Military has already been using VR for training purposes.

VR & AR applications will also enable militaries to build and train on the models of target landscapes for new operations.

7. Engineering

The use of VR / AR technologies in engineering is currently limited to showcases in industrial events.

But in the near future, these technologies might facilitate brilliant new methods for testing in Engineering.

8. Automotive

Potential buyers will be able to experience a car’s interior and performance during a virtual drive.

VR will be a cost effective -try before you buy- service also for marketing in automotive, whereas AR may become a useful tool for services and training in automotive.

9. Health

VR will become an inevitable method for surgical training and also open a new era in diagnosis as doctors will be able to step inside a 3D image for diagnosing a disease.

Virtual simulators in health are already being used by few innovative companies such as ImmersiveTouch and Medical Realities in surgical training, and by Psious and Bravemind for treating traumatic stress or psychological anxieties such as claustrophobia, fears related to flying or social activities like job interviews or dating.

10. Fitness

VR might keep you fit not only during an active gameplay but also on a VR bike at your gym.

Internet cafes of the future may turn into new tech fitness centers using VR equipment.

You can also download our slides for this article on Slideshare.

10 industries that will be disrupted by Virtual / Augmented Reality from Proteams