Mixed reality: A new world
Mixed reality throughout the years has evolved quickly alongside many of our other technologies of today, but it still retained the essence of what it began as. Much like the telephone evolving into mobile and virtual communication, mixed reality evolved from a virtual and augmented reality technology. Where does it go from here? Is this the final iteration of this type of technology or is this just the beginning of a new type of world? A stepping stone to a world where the virtual world and the real world have no separation. What will this world look like, and how will different cultures react to this new type of world.
Transforming communication:
If we look back into our past at communication technologies, we can see how the discovery of sound traveling from one room to another evolve into communicating with people around and off our planet. We can look at how the evolution of the telephone to predict how Mixed reality will evolve. With the telephone beginning with simple pulses that evolved into sound through wirers, we too can see changes like this. In her article A Very Real History of Virtual Reality, Poetker discusses an in-depth evolution of virtual reality technologies and a timeline leading to mixed reality. We can see the changes in devices by size, shape, and complexity of the virtual kit (Poetker). Much like the telephone the physical device changes, but the principle stays the same. In an article written by Jack Lander he states, On April 3, 1973, Motorola Corp. senior engineer Martin Cooper made the first mobile telephone call”(Lander). This marked one of the biggest leaps of communication in telephones. This evolution is similar to mixed reality in the jump from virtual reality and augmented reality. The steps made to try and remove the headgear and replace it with devices already present was a leap for this technology. It allowed more people to be exposed to this new type of reality. Augmented reality is currently widely used in television, entertainment, and advertising.
The next leap for telephones was the utilization of online and virtual communications and messages. We saw a blend between the telephone and personal computers with this evolution. Now millions of individuals are connected via texts and online communication around the globe. Mixed reality made this leap too. The fundamental base of MR is the blend of virtual reality and augmented reality. This is where we are at today. We are at a point in development where many different industries and consumers are welcoming this booming technology. The growth of Mixed reality is expected to boom within the next few years. The next leap in evolution is right around the corner. But what would our world look like in the future?
Ten years from now:
In our near future of ten years from now, I see a world that has fully adopted a mixed reality platform for industry and consumer entertainment. The size of the headset has shrunken down to fit in a standard pair of glasses. Many different companies use Microsoft’s base platform to develop their programs to use in a wide array of ways. Advertisements are projected out into the sky, buildings, and walls of our favorite stores. Entertainment venues use this technology to bring performances and movies closer to their audience. Emergency operators can appear in seconds to help guide individuals in emergencies. Doctors and patients are gaining a better understanding and efficiency within health care. There are many positive aspects that mixed reality had brought to the world, but the most impactful change is communication. The mixed reality technology had merged into our cell phones and given us a new way to communicate with each other. When a phone rings, our cameras turn on to map our bodies. This is projected to our contact as we suddenly appear right in front of them. Our room has merged into a meeting space where we are together. This is our new normal way of communication. Friends and family can connect in a new more intimate way. The loneliness that comes from separation is no longer there. At any moment, we can place ourselves in a room with our contact. Our alone together mentality has changed as we can simulate a physical connection via the mixed reality platform. But there have to be some downsides to this change right? In this world, the security concern is higher than ever. The risk of hacking and improper use is high. Many developing countries are catching up with the rest of the world in a race to join everyone in communication. Much like it is today, some communications devices are more affordable but lack in features. This will cause competition between companies leading to flaws in manufacturing. Above all else, there would still be those who have trouble adopting this technology, but not as much as computers. Like mobile phones, generations can use this technology to further connect with the evolving world. The world around these individuals has changed and given no choice but to adapt. Those who are against the idea of new communication technology and fear of a virtual world have been pushed aside by consumerism and evolution. At this time our new normal is ready for its next leap.
A century later:
At this point in mixed reality, the tear mixed is no longer applicable as it had become our new reality. Virtual items are now fully integrated and used constantly. Advertisements are tailored to each individual and projected out into the world. The main device is now so small that it can be implanted into a person or continued to be worn as a contact lends or on their glasses. Many new options are available depending on the consumer. Industries are utilizing this tech through their functionality. Mixed reality has changed the world in so many ways, but again, the biggest impact is in communication. By this time, the distance between individuals has greatly increased as we spread further out outside our planet. The innovations that have been produced due to the efficiency of industries in the past have lead humans into space and near planetary bodies. We now depend on the communication established with MR. we are instantly projected into the room with our families via our mobile device. They can even see our surroundings to show how our lives are shaping out. This technology had kept up connected and happy despite the distances between us. But some are still opposed to this type of communication. They believe we have lost our physical connection with each other. There is an argument that we continued to just talk to a virtual person and not a real-life individual. These individual again, have been pushed to the side as more and more people are evolving with technology. This varies similarly to the development of the telephone. With all technology, there will be opposition and fear. Communication technology continues to move forward and change with time. This is the next step in our communication evolution the newest device has now begun to be developed. Time will tell what this will be.
