Let’s take a closer look at some of those advancements we discussed in Part 1.
ENTERTAINMENT
Mixed reality has been used for entertainment purposes for awhile now and rather successfully used by both artists and non-artists alike. From Glen Keane drawing his iconic character Ariel, using Google’s tilt brush (VR) technology to the craze of Pokemon Go when it was first released and the stories that followed. As I am sure it was a surprise when unsuspecting home owner Boon Sheridan got his converted home turned into a Pokemon gym. Most Pokemon Go players have had amazing experiences, but some have taken it to the next level so just a word of advice: watch where you are walking, and try not to break any unsuspecting laws.
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (AR) from Niantic similar to Pokemon Go just hit the market on June 21st, 2019 and it has been a long awaited release not only for techies but for Potterheads as well. I wonder what wizardry will ensue?
As a human race we find most of our day filled with entertainment, imagine a world that was not? So it seems mixed reality would be just the next step in that grand illusion that started with the beginnings of film and maybe even before, with many interesting devices to allow for the movement of imagery; such as the camera obscura and the magic lantern.
MILITARY
Microsoft HoloLens AR tech is pretty cool for entertainment purposes; especially the (MCR) Mixed reality capture which lets you share your virtual world via live stream or if you’d rather not live stream, you can also take videos and pictures of your virtual world, play and share them with your friends.
But Microsoft’s Hololens is also being used for military training, garnering a $480 million dollar deal for Microsoft. Here a strategic use of AR that will allow for advanced military training and simulations before hitting the battlefield. Allowing for experienced decisions
to be made before having to actually make them. The headset is lightweight and can be worn on the soldiers helmet giving them the ability to train, target weapons and run through strategies that could ultimately save lives.
PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY
From self-driving cars to smart cities the future of spatial computing is geared toward making our world and our lives more efficient, more productive and in the case of self-driving cars the hope of added safety included in there as well.
In fact, if you believe that a smart city it is a “far off dream” you would be shocked to know that it is in fact happening already. Along the coast of Europe you can find the Estonia Cluster which had already achieved full digitization by the mid 2000’s. Making Estonia’s capital city Tallinn a functioning “smart city” where everything is connected. Where things such as voting (which can be done on smartphones) banking and everything from health to education is available on the system via one friendly portal accessed via a “digital identity” smart ID. But Estonia is not the only place where you will find smart cities try China with the staggering 500 smart cities underway Total across the world at the time of this writing 1000 smart cities making China the largest contributor in this technological advancement.
EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES
“Actively using more of the human sensory capability and motor skills has been known
to increase understanding and learning for some time.” – quotes Jason Jerald, NextGen Interactions
The world at your kids fingertips; the idea that the classroom is not just four walls but a voyage into other lands. Perhaps a “digital field trip” to the Great Pyramids or exploring the ecosystem of the coral reefs. Science lab and those tricky little examinations of toads suddenly become not so gross and scary but pretty darn cool and informative using mixed realities such as AR and VR.
These are just a few examples but they are not to be taken lightly and they are hardly a gimmick when it comes to the learning process. Research is starting to show that mixed reality training “visual learning” can improve brain function and learning capacity. As AR helps students better remember the information they’ve just learned. So whether it is a trip down history lane or learning about the human brain, mixed reality can make it fun and keep your kids excited; which in the long run makes learning all the more interesting, just as it should be.
MEDICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The same way mixed reality helps to improve training for the Military and the educational system, is also the same way it helps to train tomorrow’s physicians. Training in this immersive environment is the future but the future is now.
VR/MR training is a low risk alternative method to the learning complexities of surgery before the scalpel ever touches a patient. But that is not all, as mixed reality not only benefits the surgeon but the patient as well finds benefit. By doing what it does best VR provides a distraction and that distraction it is believed, can help in the healing process. With this in mind VR has been touted as helping to relieve chronic pain, PTSD and schizophrenia; as well as possible rehabilitation therapy which could be done in the privacy of one’s home. So as you can see there are many advancement in this area happening today for the future wellness of our mind and body.
Mixed reality used in a positive manner can bring relief to illness and anxieties, it can also educate, entertain and connect our cities, our lives and our dreams. The future is now and we are smack dab in the middle of this new Digital Frontier so welcome to the future.
If you have any questions or feedback on this blog, we’d love to hear it in the comment section below or email me at lori@cgcircuit.com
About the Author:
Lori Hammond, CG Circuit
Author & Content Producer
Experienced multi-talented Artist/Designer/Blogger with an extensive background in the Arts & Entertainment Industry(Animation, VFX, Game & Product Design) https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhammond/
