You may have heard of virtual reality (VR) in terms of media and gaming. The term became mainstream in 2014 when Facebook acquired the VR headset company Oculus Rift for $2 billion. Media trade publication Variety wrote soon after that every major studio was experimenting with the technology.
So far in 2016, VR has been the darling of Austin’s South by SouthWest, where the top creative minds from film, media and music convened last month. HTC, Oculus, and Playstation will all be releasing headsets this year in the race to conquer this emerging market; a market that Goldman Sachs predicts will be bigger than TV in the next 10 years, generating $125 billion in revenues by 2025.
But as VR coverage focuses on entertainment and gaming opportunities, its most important applications may come in the healthcare space. In fact, VR is already playing a role in a number of important medical areas.
I – Word Understanding
Mainstream – common and influential trend
Convened – came together (for a meeting or activity)
II – Have Your Say
- What features about virtual reality (VR) have your heard and which one are you looking forward to?
- Gaming
- Cinema
- Tourism
- Shopping
- For healthcare, here some applications of VR that look promising. In what way do you think VR can help?
- Virtual surgery
- Amputees suffering from phantom limb pain
- Burn victims
- Mental health
477 Virtual Reality Is Not Just For Entertainment Anymore; How It Will Improve Health Care
