When Fb purchased Oculus Rift in 2014, it appeared to be solely a matter of time earlier than the digital actuality (VR) revolution would hit. Nevertheless, that preliminary promise from 5 years in the past is now one thing of an anticlimax. One author for tech web site CNet got here away from this yr’s client electronics present describing how “VR is an idea gathering dust for all the wrong reasons, lost in a sea of strange peripherals and pipe dreams.” 


There’s some proof to help this. In March, Google shut down its Highlight Tales VR movie studio. The corporate later confirmed that it was additionally ceasing the operation {of professional} VR video platform, Leap. Each strikes appear to point that the tech big doesn’t have a lot religion in the way forward for VR. 

Alternatively, market projections for VR and its cousin, augmented actuality (AR), are nonetheless overwhelmingly optimistic. In February this yr, Analysis and Markets launched its forecast for the VR market, predicting that the market will develop to 5 occasions its 2018 dimension, hitting $44.7 billion by 2024. 

Whereas there could seem like two totally different narratives, the reality might be rather a lot easier. It could be that we’ve all been trying within the unsuitable place for VR’s killer use case. After 5 years, it appears unlikely that the VR gaming market goes to spring to life. However there are many different verticals the place the expertise can and does make a distinction. Now, there are just a few notable instances the place blockchain is converging with VR to nice impact. 

Serving to Susceptible Populations

In accordance with WHO estimates, one in 4 individuals will now undergo from psychological well being problems sooner or later of their lives. Digital Rehab is an organization that makes use of VR expertise within the psychological rehabilitation of those weak populations. It initially got down to assist with habit and repeat offending; nevertheless, it has since prolonged its providing to incorporate ache administration and communication expertise for people with autism. 

The platform presents people with real-life conditions in a simulated atmosphere, so think about somebody with habit being supplied with a simulated set off similar to an alcoholic drink or a syringe. The simulation is finished in collaboration with medical professionals, in order that they will monitor the affected person’s behaviors and selections, adjusting the care plan accordingly. 

The preliminary providing was extraordinarily well-received, with Digital Rehab having obtained a mess of awards and recognition throughout the medical sector and past. For instance, the corporate was nominated for a 2019 International Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Award. It was talked about by NASDAQ alongside big-name tech companies, together with Google and Fb. The platform has additionally been well-received by the US Division of Justice for its potential in serving to rehabilitate prisoners and scale back repeat offending. 

Empowering Customers

Dr. Raji Wahidy, Founder and CEO of Virtual Rehab

Dr. Raji Wahidy, Founder and CEO of Digital Rehab

The corporate can also be extending its technological footprint into blockchain with the introduction of its VRH utility token. The token has varied use instances, which embrace enabling customers to order and obtain packages from the Digital Rehab on-line portal and requesting extra evaluation of their case.

Moreover, the introduction of blockchain gives a much-needed layer of affected person confidentiality and knowledge safety. Dr. Raji Wahidy, Founder and CEO of Digital Rehab explains: 

“Unfortunately, as of today, information is publicly available and could be accessed through online databases which expose the identities of these vulnerable populations. As a result, this prevents these populations from re-integrating back into society and from becoming an effective part of it as well. Fortunately, this level of privacy/data protection can all be made possible when integrating blockchain technology as part of the Virtual Rehab solution.”

Sports activities and Leisure

Digital Rehab isn’t the primary VR firm to make a foray into blockchain expertise. Ceek is one other instance of a well-established firm that later determined to implement a token financial system for accessing its VR providing. The corporate had already developed a platform in order that customers might stream VR concert events and occasions to the Ceek VR headset through their smartphones.

Mary Spio, Founder and CEO of Ceek VR

Mary Spio, Founder and CEO of Ceek VR

Final yr, the corporate efficiently launched the CEEK token, which followers can now use to buy entry to VR occasions, digital merchandise, and extra. The Ceek project is a good instance for the variety of niches VR expertise doubtlessly can amplify. From stay concert events, training, even to a partnership with Actual Madrid footballer Dani Carvajal, in order that followers might comply with him in real-time throughout his coaching and travels to stay video games. 

The corporate has additionally solid forward with different developments to boost its core providing. For instance, it launched the world’s first 4D headphones on the finish of final yr as a complement to its present VR headset. There are additionally a number of established partnerships with different VR manufacturers similar to HTC Vive and Samsung Gear. 

The CEO of Ceek is Mary Spio, who’s a vocal advocate for VR adoption and a rare entrepreneur with an unbelievable life story. She sits on the board of Oculus VR for good and has been appointed by the US Division of State as a Speaker on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 

Takeaway

All in all, it appears that evidently VR is much from useless. Even when gaming isn’t the use case it initially appeared to vow, firms like Ceek and Digital Rehab are proving that VR has an viewers. Moreover, their success signifies that extra companies are prone to see the advantages of blockchain-enabled VR marketplaces sooner or later.


 

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