We’re currently at the tipping-point of the next evolution in business technology, and changes have already begun to accelerate. While we’ve already experienced Moore’s Law-induced growth spurts in personal computing, televisions and smart phones, we’re on the cusp of the next big thing: virtual reality (VR). VR, which combines technology from all three of those prior movements, is positioned to drastically alter the way we interact with our world – and with each other.
We’ve seen the gaming and entertainment implications that VR provides; it’s not hard to imagine how those two industries might be disrupted by this new technology. But what else could VR offer? Consider:
- Virtual tourism, where you can scale Kilimanjaro from the comfort of your couch;
- Virtual training, for anyone from industrial workers to surgeons, from police officers to soldiers;
- Virtual healthcare, for doctors in large cities to assist in procedures conducted in remote rural areas; and
- Virtual classrooms, where children can use immersive games and virtual field trips to augment their traditional educations.
Each of these VR opportunities will change how we participate in our societies. For the most part, though, they are largely consumer experiences. What few are discussing are the myriad of potential boons that VR could bring to the enterprise. Known as a collaborative virtual environment for businesses, Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform is now leveraging HTC Vive’s total immersion and room-scale capability to bring Dassault Systèmes’ business solutions to life, delivering a 3D experience that enables businesses to easily imagine potential solutions.
After previewing an application of HTC’s headset with a consumer 3D environment at CES, HTC and Dassault Systèmes now will showcase world-class applications for business and governments at a number of global events this year. In March at the 86th Geneva International Motor Show the premium brand of the automotive group PSA, used the “Virtual Garage” industry solution experience to create an immersive, virtual reality booth experience. The DS brand presented the new model of its product range of premium automobiles, the new DS 3, in a dynamic and compelling way that virtually enhances the size of its booth, without using a physical car. Wearing an HTC Vive headset and controlling a joystick, visitors could virtually view, explore and interact with the new DS 3 as if it were real—walk around the car and sit inside it, change roof and body colors, trims and interior decor, and view animations of opening and closing front doors.
The two companies will also demonstrate Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCity at the World Cities Summit 2016 in Singapore on July 10-14. 3DEXPERIENCity is a 3D universe allowing governments and local authorities and their business partners to model, simulate, optimize and operate urban projects and services for the city in a virtual 3D environment.
While consumers become accustomed to VR through video games, movies and other multimedia experiences, we’re excited to continue pushing the boundaries on business applications for this rapidly evolving new interface.
