Discussions

Mixed realities

  • Philine Warnke profile
    Philine Warnke
    20 May 2016 - updated 4 years ago
  • 1 comment
    Total votes: 1

This topic emerged through a screening of emerging issues in science, technology and society in the context of the FET CSA OBSERVE.

http://www.horizon-observatory.eu/radar-en/index.php

 

The big picture

Several sources argue that we are entering the age of multiple realities. Technologies and practices which allow us to experience augmented or virtual reality are extremely prominent in the current discourse: 360 degree videos, advanced vr-gaming, vr-therapy, a real time painting 3D-model translator, vr development tools for animations, paint applications for oculus rift and space experiences. Virtualization and wearable computing devices are expected to combine to create a new wave of social technology. The Oculus Rift already allows users to virtually explore real environments from the perspective of a child, and wearable recording devices are beginning to capture the details of everyday life. Developments like the personal headphones which can filter out unwanted noise point to a world where “reality will be in the eye (and ear) of the beholder”. VR and augmented reality topics are one of the most popular areas on Kickstarter. Science fiction novels envisage nano-cells on the skin that simulate an environment for the body that can be felt, heard and seen. Some observers argue that long term visions for “virtual reality societies” are lacking and several challenges remain.

Source: IFTF, the Economist and several

Tags: 
FET Proactive consultationvirtual reality

Comments

Log in to post comments
Marc Pallot's picture
Marc Pallot,
07/09/2017 10:12

In my view, Mixed Realities (XR) is not just about creating IVE - Immersive Virtual Environments (Virtual Reality, 360° fieldview) in which we can evolve almost like in the reality; or augmenting the reality (AR) with digital information in order to be guided in a real environment; but it is also about augmenting the virtuality with real objects and elements of the environment where we act, hence, allowing to take into account these real objects and elements into the IVE.

In the near future, XR will allow to easily bring all stakeholders and users to co-create, explore, experiment and evaluate new innovative ideas (iterative eXperience Design process - XD) and even train the potential users in immersing them in the designed solution (e.g. new product, service and process) before any solutions is really deployed (another opportunity to capture insights and improve the designed solution).

For sure, XR will have a major role to play in the digitalization challenge as it will allow anyone to easily view, manipulate and play with digital information while highlighting the capacity to quickly undertaking decision based on verified facts thanks to the "virtual" experiments.

Hope everyone can agree with me in predicting that most of the future innovations will be developped through the use of XR technologies due to their capacity to anticipate all potential impacts before starting any real development and deployment.

 

Total votes: 0