Lost in the Rift
We have a new toy here at theCO. Meet the Oculus Rift:
This device is a look into the future.
You might be wondering what it is, though. Basically, the Oculus Rift is the first consumer virtual reality system. Virtual reality. Like the stuff we've dreamed about since the inception of video games.
While the final consumer version of The Oculus Rift won't be out until 2015, we were able to get our hands on the Developer Kit 2 (which allows developers to prepare games for the upcoming release). Right now, the only games available are free demos, but that doesn't stop us from enjoying the incredibly immersive experience of the Rift.
But the potential for this technology reaches much further than simply gaming.
I'll lay out a few possibilities for the future of this device:
- Let's say you own a construction company. A client wants to build a commercial structure. They tell you want they want, you design it, create a 3D replica of it, and let them take a virtual tour through their proposed new construction
- Forget gathering around the television with the family at night. Imagine everyone putting on their Oculus Rift headsets and watching a movie. But not like how we know movies today. Production companies will begin to capture entire scenes so that the viewer can look where they want throughout the whole film. In a sense, the viewer is part of the film.
- Newly-hired factory employees need to learn how to use the machinery in the factory, but using the actual machinery would require a stop in production, added hours, or extra machinery. All of these options equate to more costs. An interactive virtual model of this machinery could allow employees to learn the ropes without the added costs.
- Visual feedback could be streamlined with live Rift communication. With an iPhone-compatible 360 degree camera, one could transmit an environment to someone across the world using an Oculus Rift for them to explore. This could be used for anything from interior design to medical emergencies to military missions.
The possibilities of the Oculus Rift and virtual realities are endless and inevitable.
So, come and visit us at theCO to try out the Oculus Rift. Not only will you understand just how immersive this technology is, but you can experience history in the making before this product hits the market.