Keeping up with the trends is important especially if you intend to invest in VR headsets for the first time in 2024 or continue on your immersive journey.
Here are some of the biggest VR headset trends we think will transform the industry in 2024.
1. Enterprise Adoption Shapes VR Headset Trends
At first, a lot of companies that sell VR headsets concentrated on making goods that were only meant for consumers. Some of the earliest devices were specifically created for gaming and entertainment. However, the demand for enterprise-level headsets has increased in recent years.
Enterprise VR has an amazing opportunity due to innovations in the “industrial metaverse” and the demand for improved training opportunities. Many major vendors are beginning to recognize this trend, adapting their headsets to suit business needs.
2. Spatial Computing Reduces Reliance on Controllers
The majority of virtual reality headsets used to come with controllers that made it simple for users to interact with digital content. Today, these controllers are becoming more sleek, ergonomic, and user-friendly. Many users still believe, though, that controllers take away from immersive experiences.
To create more natural experiences in the virtual world, headset vendors are beginning to experiment with spatial computing technology. Spatial technologies like eye tracking, hand-tracking tools, sensors, and voice controls are becoming popular VR headset trends.
With these inventive solutions, vendors can help users interact with virtual apps and software more naturally by allowing them to use their eyes, voices, and gestures. Some spatial solutions can even improve VR headset performance. For instance, eye tracking solutions allow for foveated rendering, which enables the headset to dynamically adjust the display based on what a user looks at.
3. Multi-Sensory Virtual Reality
Trends for virtual reality headsets are driven by consumer demand for immersive, hyper-realistic experiences. During the initial years of the VR revolution, the level of immersion a headset offered depended mainly on its display quality and visuals. Now, companies are investing in new ways to involve additional senses in the VR experience.
Haptic gloves and suits are beginning to experience a resurgence in popularity, particularly in the VR training landscape. Building muscle memory and improving reality are two great uses for these haptic tools. Elsewhere, companies are beginning to experiment with other sensory solutions.
VR headset accessories like masks can bring unique smells to an environment to deepen immersion. When moving through a virtual landscape, spatial audio solutions can enhance the sound’s natural and organic quality. There are even VR treadmills available that can be accompanied by fans and similar tools to create atmospheric sensations.
4. AR, VR and MR Convergence
Virtual, augmented, and mixed reality are all distinct technologies with unique benefits in various use cases. However, as companies continue to embrace the benefits of immersive experiences, many are reluctant to invest in separate devices for different levels of immersion.
This has resulted in the convergence of various extended reality experiences, one of the most intriguing trends in VR headsets in recent years. Companies like Meta have introduced new mixed reality capabilities into their latest virtual reality headsets, allowing users to control their level of immersion. Innovators like Apple are taking a similar approach with the Apple Vision Pro.
In the upcoming years, we might witness an increase in the number of businesses making investments in the potential of mixed reality and augmented reality headsets. This will allow businesses to explore all the different flavors of extended reality.
5. AI Innovations in Virtual Reality
The rise of artificial intelligence in extended reality isn’t one of the newest virtual reality headset trends. For years, innovators in the VR landscape have used AI in their headsets to enhance immersive experiences. Intelligent algorithms in headsets can allow users to control experiences using their own voice and natural language processing.
AI tools can also help analyze the surrounding environment of a VR headset user, helping keep headset wearers safe as they navigate digital landscapes. AI can even analyze user behavior during immersive experiences and adapt the landscape to each person’s needs.
However, the rise of more advanced forms of AI is opening the door to an even stronger relationship between AI and VR. Generative AI paves the way for advanced headset development strategies, helping companies create more amazing avatars and VR scenery. Companies like Nvidia are even using generative AI to assist companies in creating powerful metaverse experiences.
