GOAL
VR/AR News of the Week has closed for the season with 92 entries, all of which we’ve seen at least briefly in class. Some of the stories will be looked back in 5 years and be considered accurate, prophetic, powerful. Others will be looked back in 5 years and be considered off-track, clueless, and ridiculous. PLEASE SELECT YOUR TOP 4 OF EACH. Post with a detailed description of why you’ve selected them in Documentation and be prepared to present.
REFLECTION
Will virtual reality and AI help us to find love or make us lonelier? by Martin Coulter
Why The Music Industry Is Banking On The Growth Of VR Concerts by Simon Chandler
Chandler’s exploration of VR concerts fails to account for the lack of communal elements. It is within human nature to crave contact or connection. Coulter understands this as he highlights the progress made in virtual matchmaking (whether it be between humans or humans and machines). I believe that VR concerts as it stands will not thrive within VR due to this oversight. In contrast, dating may experience a dramatic shift as people find new partners (human and machine) in VR.
New wearable skin lets you touch things in VR and and be touched, too by Jesus Diaz
This Oculus Quest-compatible haptic glove looks like something out of the 80s by Joanna Nelius
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne’s artificial “skin” allegedly allows for users to experience touch feedback. Given this invention is real, it will introduce a whole new level of immersion to VR. On the other hand, there is Oculus Quest’s haptic gloves that come across more as a hold over than a solution for the ideal haptic experience. In the long-run, I believe the Oculus Quest’s haptic gloves will not satisfy any user’s desire for haptic feedback.
Can VR make women’s lives better? by Pip Usher
Breathe, focus, headset: The women turning to VR in labor by Rachel Metz
The idea that VR can improve gender equality seems superfluous at first; however, Usher’s exploration of VR in sensitivity and sexual harassment training gives the idea more solid grounding. By framing its use as a singular step in the overall process, Usher offers a convincing argument for VR’s place as a useful tool in generating understanding. While it must be said that experiencing something in VR is still very far from a first-hand experience, it is a valuable tool to “step into someone else’s shoes” as you see from their “eyes”.
Metz’s exploration of VR in labor highlights the instances where VR falls short. To claim that VR can completely alleviate labor pain just seems highly unlikely. It can be attributed to personal pain tolerance that some women find it helpful; however, until more research shows the undoubtable probability that VR dampens labor pain I will remain a fierce skeptic.
VR is not able to solve real world problems such as workplace inequality or labor pain; it is simply a tool we can use to work towards a better situation.
Facebook buys ‘mind-reading wristband’ firm CTRL-Labs
Hand Tracking on the Oculus Quest Feels Pretty Magical
The comparison between CTRL-Labs’s wristband and the Oculus Quest’s hand tracking is similar to the comparison drawn between the wearable haptic skin vs. haptic gloves. The wristband, while definitely cool if it is useable, would hinder VR conversion in the short-term. Humans are just not use to using brain waves as input therefore, users may have a difficult time controlling outputs. This conversion may take years before the layman is able to play in VR using their brain waves. In contrast, no one needs to be taught how to use their hands. Oculus Quest’s hand tracking is intuitive and enhances the VR experience’s immersion. I believe this is the one evolution in VR that will be here for decades to come.