{"id":25268,"date":"2023-02-10T10:19:53","date_gmt":"2023-02-10T09:19:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amplyfi.com\/?p=25268"},"modified":"2024-03-22T11:46:00","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T10:46:00","slug":"trends-in-vr-is-virtual-reality-losing-its-momentum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amplyfi.com\/2023\/02\/10\/trends-in-vr-is-virtual-reality-losing-its-momentum\/","title":{"rendered":"Trends in VR: Is Virtual Reality losing its momentum?"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

We’ve analysed news around VR to explore the current landscape of discussion around the technology<\/strong><\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Virtual reality enables a computer-generated simulation of a realistic 3D environment, with users interacting with the environment using equipment such as Head Mounted Displays (HMDs) or haptic interfaces, which alter a person’s perception of reality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While the VR market has continued to grow through the years, it has recently missed growth projections. For instance, predictions showed that <\/span>the market<\/span><\/a> would grow to US$26 billion by 2022, but the present-day <\/span>VR market value<\/span><\/a> is $11 billion. With only <\/span>15% of the US population<\/span><\/a> using VR,\u00a0 the technology is yet to go mainstream.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Using AMPLYFI\u2019s AI-driven research platform, we’ve analysed thousands of news documents and found key trends in the current discussion around VR.<\/span><\/p>\n

VR was initially used to enhance gaming. But now, it is expanding into almost every facet of life. <\/span>In healthcare<\/a>, doctors are beginning to use the technology to plan complex operations by performing surgeries in a simulated virtual environment before the actual process. It also has the potential to transform education<\/a>, giving students memorable and immersive experiences, such as visiting historical monuments without leaving the classroom.<\/p>\n

Our analysis reveals that VR news discussions have followed three distinct trends.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_image_with_hotspots image=”26903″ preview=”https:\/\/amplyfi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Virtual-Reality-Insights-3.png” color_1=”Accent-Color” hotspot_icon=”plus_sign” tooltip=”hover” tooltip_shadow=”none” animation=”true”][nectar_hotspot left=”27.475%” top=”43.9197%” position=”top”]There was a decline in mentions from January 2020 to May 2021[\/nectar_hotspot][nectar_hotspot left=”58.58310626702997%” top=”35.28106132012249%” position=”top”]The discussion started growing in May, before hitting a plateau in November 2021[\/nectar_hotspot][nectar_hotspot left=”78.1108%” top=”55.2124%” position=”top”]Mentions steadily declined from April to July 2022[\/nectar_hotspot][\/nectar_image_with_hotspots][vc_column_text]News over the past two years highlights interesting dynamics in VR’s trajectory. For example, we see a decline in the media discussion between 2020 to 2021 due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when g<\/span>lobal news shifted to focus on the pandemic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, this trend could be seen as unexpected. With the pandemic causing a <\/span>rapid adoption of digital technologies<\/span><\/a>, it would be expected that VR would have been leveraged more globally as a means of digital connection. The discussion then <\/span> started growing in May 2021, hit a plateau in November 2021, and then declined steadily from April to July 2022.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gartner\u2019s <\/span>hype cycle<\/span><\/a> for emerging technology and <\/span>AMPLYFI\u2019s approach to approximating technological maturity<\/span><\/a> could explain this trend.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”26906″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

These frameworks measure a technology\u2019s maturity, usually evident in widespread adoption and cross-industry application. While the direction from the first figure above shows the news trailing off, juxtaposing it with the hype cycle shows it could just be the natural course of a technology approaching maturity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]If we take the 2021-2022 section of the VR news mentions, we can see that it represents a thin slice of the hype cycle. In this period, the trend starts at the bottom of the hype cycle’s trough of disillusionment and rises into the plateau of productivity.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”26921″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”lazy-load” max_width=”75%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]VR was first invented in 1965, and for the 50 years following, people had elevated expectations on when and how the technology would transform everyday life. The industry did not appreciate how long it would take to figure out and build the necessary technology. Afterward, from mid-2020 to the end of 2021, the trend entered the trough of disillusionment. During this time, though the technology had started to deliver value, certain factors, such as hardware costs, hindered mass adoption. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]One key aspect which previously limited VR from advancing was its adoption. Initially, VR headsets and software were too expensive for the mainstream market, with <\/span>a headset<\/span><\/a> costing almost US$1,600. But the situation is rapidly evolving:<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n