Anyone, anywhere would be able to strap on a headset in their living room and be able to experience events anywhere in the world — or outside of it — as if they were really there.
Virtual-reality (VR) technology was long seen as the next big thing. However, real reality always seemed to get in the way.
For years, it was the costly and bulky equipment; more recently, the sparse investment in software because of a lack of consumer-ready headgear, but that could all change.
Oculus VR Inc, the VR business bought for US$2 billion by Facebook Inc last year, said this week it would start shipping a consumer version of its Rift headset early next year, raising hopes that investment in VR software is going to finally take off.
About 2.7 million VR headsets, including versions aimed at app and content developers, could be sold this year, according to technology consultancy KZero.
With the launch of an increased umber of consumer-friendly versions, total VR sales are expected to jump to 39 million in 2018, helping software companies alone rake in US$4.6 billion — up from a projected US$129 million this year.
“We believe that many very deep-pocketed companies will be in this space soon,” New York-based Macquarie Securities analyst Ben Schachter said.
Sony Corp and Taiwan’s HTC Corp (宏達電) are among the big hardware makers planning to launch consumer headsets — HTC by the end of this year and Sony next year.
Oculus partnered with Samsung Electronics Co Ltd to build the developer version of the South Korean company’s mobile VR headset, Gear VR Innovator Edition, which was released in the US in December last year. Samsung is expected to release a consumer-version Gear VR by the end of the year.
“This is the right time for early stage investors,” said Mike Rothenberg, founder and chief executive officer of Rothenberg Ventures, a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that has invested in VR startups.
Santa Barbara, California-based WorldViz plans to release a number of VR software apps, which can be used in industries such as oil and gas, aerospace, education and entertainment this year, and expects revenue to double, founder and president Peter Schlueer said.
Gaming and entertainment apps are expected to drive initial uptake of VR hardware.
However, the advent of user-friendly and low-cost gear is to also spur adoption by educational institutions, the military and industry.
Ford Motor Co, for instance, uses VR headsets to help test car designs.
Oculus has not disclosed pricing for the consumer Rift. Cofounder Nate Mitchell has said it would be “affordable,” but pricier than the Gear VR, which costs about US$200.
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