Feel Happier
One of the most exciting applications of Virtual Reality is being able to socialise with distant friends and family. With VR headsets and peripherals like the ROVR treadmill, we can go beyond stilted video calls or messaging apps into a world where we can interact with each other in a 3D space. We will be able to talk face to face and even take a stroll as a group.
Imminent advancements in technology are promising platforms where groups of people can enter a virtual space and explore together. Rooms like this already exist in VR gaming and companies like Google are working on mapping real world environments in the virtual world. We have developed our in-house Social VR capability which is also being trialed with different organisations. This could mean that relatives from across the globe can meet up where ever they like. Ex-patriots can show of their new town to their family back home, or they can revisit old haunts if they’re feeling home sick.
The benefits to a person’s mood are obvious. It’s clear that we are social animals; being isolated makes us depressed and lethargic. This is seen most frequently in the older generation, who loose their mobility when they are confined to their homes. Someone with a vibrant social life can suddenly find themselves disconnected from their friends after health issues or a fall. In today’s global society, one’s children often move far away for work, restricting interactions to formal events like Christmas. Virtual Reality can be a platform for isolated people to reconnect.
The ROVR allows you to go a step further in your interactions by providing a way to walk around in Virtual Reality. You could schedule a weekly walking group with friends, or meet up with your son in New Zealand for an afternoon stroll. This gives the added benefit of being active while socialising. Numerous studies show how exercise releases endorphins - chemicals in the brain that are linked to feelings of happiness.
One area that has already embraced socialising in Virtual Reality is gaming. Games like Rec Room get people together to create their own games. People have been playing Frisbee, dodge ball, and even basketball! This is a great place to meet new people, or get together with old friends and relax. There is also a Star Trek experience that simulates an interactive command bridge on a spaceship. Players team up to operate the ship together, with each person being assigned roles and duties within the crew.
Socialising in Virtual Reality really is an exciting technological frontier, accessible for all ages.