2 min readThere are a number of extended reality (XR) technologies currently in research and development, but several improvements are laying the foundation for XR to take the marketplace by storm.
Let’s take a look at some of them.
5G Connectivity
5G connectivity will dramatically change networking capabilities, opening doors to high-volume streaming and seamless multi-user experience. It will also enable distribution of computational power to the cloud, allowing devices to become lighter and more comfortable.
Gesture recognition
There are a number of techniques that provide highly functional hand tracking already. However, as gesture recognition becomes more sophisticated, it will revolutionize the realistic quality of everything XR has to offer—immersing users in a truly realistic environment. Magic Leap One has gesture recognition integrated in its recently released headset—and soon this will be an industry standard.
Full body tracking
Though the main use case for this is in entertainment, full body tracking will also allow a completely immersive experience. Other industries are exploring its capabilities for use cases including telepresence and next-level conferencing. There are several solutions that involve full-body suits, providing a way for computer vision to scan the body, and opening up other directions for this technology.
Eye tracking
Some headsets already integrate eye tracking, while others work with third-party solutions to integrate after the fact. This technology greatly improves rendering capabilities, addresses issues with fixed focus distance in headsets, and provides actionable data regarding user behavior and interactions within experiences.
Holograms and projectors
This is a branch of XR that is only recently gaining momentum. There are few dedicated R&D technologies at present, however, over time it should become more available. XR holograms and projectors could work well in combination with MR technologies to delight consumers and create a more realistic experience.
These are only some of the capabilities that are bringing XR to the forefront of technology for the future. Learn more about the applications for XR technology within your business today and be sure to check out our latest white paper, “The Next Frontier: Extended Reality in Business.”