Technology is the driving force of the modern era that changes businesses at an incredible speed. Thanks to virtual reality, various industries can create compelling, engaging customer experiences. As a transformation tool, VR can help them differentiate in innovative ways.
As for virtual reality in retail, the trend is ever evolving with new solutions to appeal to buyers. Since people have been shopping and browsing stores online for quite some time, VR can further enhance the experience. This article will dive deeper into the history of virtual reality and its benefits for various industries on the e-market.
What is VR?
Virtual reality is an advanced technology that allows users to indulge in life-like scenarios of a virtual world. This imagined perception might or might not resemble reality.
Based on a combination of hardware and software, VR replicates multiple senses. It engages your vision, hearing, touch, and smell. In this regard, virtual reality can simulate your physical presence in an artificial environment.
Instead of seeing a display, users become submerged and can communicate within the fabricated surroundings. More so, VR equipment facilitates the interaction with virtual objects and structures.
How VR Developed – A Brief Timeline
Though the roots of VR technology are part of the newer history, its evolution has pushed the boundaries of the physical world. Here are the most significant milestones in the journey of virtual reality.
- 1838 – Charles Wheatstone developed the first stereoscopic images that give users a sense of depth and immersion.
- 1929 – Edward Link created an electromechanical commercial flight simulator.
- 1956 – Morton Heilig gave rise to Sensorama, an arcade-style booth that stimulated all the senses.
- 1960 – Morton Heilig invented Telesphere Mask, the first VR head-mounted display.
- 1968 – Ivan Sutherland created the first VR HMD – The Sword of Damocles.
- 1977 – The Aspen Movie Map enabled users to wander through Aspen City virtually.
- 1985 – VPL Research became the pioneering company to develop and sell VR products.
- 1989 – Nasa got involved in virtual reality.
- 1994 – The first motion simulator arcade machine by SAGA.
- 2007 – Google introduced Street View.
- 2010 – Palmer Luckey created the prototype of the Oculus Rift headset.
- 2014 – Facebook acquired Oculus while Sony announced their VR project.
- 2015 – VR possibilities became widely available to the general public.
- 2016-2017 – Many companies developed VR products ready for primetime.
- 2018 – Facebook released the untethered Oculus Go headset.
- 2019 – Varifocal technology became omnipresent.
- 2020 – Extended Reality that immerses all technologies is gaining popularity.
The Upsides Of VR Technology
VR breakthroughs have endless opportunities to transform how humanity perceives the world. Here are some of the most impressive impacts of virtual reality in retail and other industries:
Too Real
VR creates memorable and unique experiences for users with advanced visual and sound effects. You get the impression of being in another realm while shopping or walking by the coast.
Safe Operations
Various fields can conduct practice by simulating dangerous scenarios like surgeries, flights, and combats. The optimal environment allows trainees to see the outcome of their actions without fatal errors.
Intricate Details
Virtual reality enables sharp images of any store or tourist location. Detailed previews can also help shoppers try on clothes or contemplate the interior design for their house.
Store Design
Floor layout, item placement, and shelf height get facilitated. Creating the perfect experience for customers takes less time, and updates are possible in minutes.
Virtual Reality In Retail And Other Industries
Besides its far-fetching benefits, the future of multiple sectors depends on VR technology. Here’s a non-comprehensive list of industries already adopting VR.
Retail
Virtual reality in retail, both online and in-store, is a real game-changer. The technology allows more engaging experiences since customers can interact with whatever they’re buying. While shop designs become more intelligent, Kinect fitting rooms make the retail concept way more impactful.
Moreover, in-store navigation can help shoppers get around stores. Thanks to VR routing, everyone can quickly find the desired items. More so, AR overlays provide critical product information so that consumers know what they are buying.
Healthcare
VR offers medical staff a whole range of possibilities for innovative treatments. For instance, VR surgical navigation systems can provide surgeons with ‘X-ray vision’ during complex surgeries.
VR-enhanced treatments can help patients with phobias or anxiety overcome horrifying real-life scenarios. Moreover, virtual operating rooms and human anatomy modelling can open the way for medical students’ education.
Architecture And Real Estate
Building modelling and architectural visualization are undergoing an incredible transformation thanks to VR. Interior and landscape design became more advanced and high quality with virtual representation. Architects and other stakeholders can work together to create mock-ups and bring any space or building to perfection.
Besides, real estate agents can create immersive experiences for customers to make the right purchase. They can host virtual reality home tours and show buyers a 360-degree view of properties.
Tourism
Similar to virtual reality in retail, tourism is another sector that can reap immeasurable benefits. Tourist agencies are aware that travel is all about impressions. Hence, they can give clients the chance to indulge in real-feel landscapes and sights and create individual virtual tours.
Some of the most advanced travel VR projects include exploring desired cities and areas. Tourists can hear the surrounding sounds, ride a bike or boat, or reach the top of a mountain.
Education
Can you imagine geography classes that take students across continents? Or history lessons with a visualized chronology that takes you back centuries ago? VR might facilitate all this and much more. Educators can transform boring facts into more interactive and memorable information to spur curiosity and motivation in students.
Virtual Reality And Instant Payments For A Perfect Shopping Experience
With the innovative products developed by Elly, the future of online shopping is already here. Virtual reality in retail goes hand in hand with instant payment solutions that we conceptualize. With digital and cryptocurrencies in one wallet, your handheld device is all you need for a unique shopping spree.
Read more about the various payment solutions on Elly.com and get ready for the latest VR shopping experiences. Virtual reality is already within reach; it’s up to you to embrace it!
