There are also likely to be challenges in post-production, one of which will be simply how to store the image Simulators and the military files. One production level camera features 42 cameras capable of 4K resolution. This captures a gigapixel image Simulators have been used for flight training (about 500 times the size of a standard smartphone as it is much safer and cheaper to learn how 146 to fly in difficult conditions on the ground image), and shoots at 30 frames a second . One subsequent challenge of capturing images at this than in the air. Early simulators were wooden level of resolution will be determining how to store, boxes mounted on a Universal Joint and transmit and edit the files. driven by organ bellows in 1930, but were 153. By the 1990s, full critical to training VR offers viewers a choice of point of view (POV); flight simulators were more mechanically some viewers may prefer the director to choose the sophisticated and incorporated large, high best viewing angle for them. The first DVDs offered the resolution screens that projected virtual option of multiple angles, with the viewer choosing the scenes for the pilots-in-training. These cost perspective, as a differentiator to video cassettes, but millions of dollars, and in some cases less this option was rapidly dropped due to low consumer expensive solutions were sufficient. By 2007 interest. helmets incorporating projected dual screen images a few inches from the user’s eyes As for enterprise adoption of VR, we expect 2016 were being used for training, both for flight will be a year of experimentation, with a range of 154 simulation and land combat training . companies dabbling with using VR for sales and marketing purposes. These activities are likely to be commercially insignificant this year. For example: We congratulate VR on what we expect will be its • Some architects are using VR to create interactive first billion dollar year, and we forecast rising revenues visualizations of construction projects in place of in coming years: it is possible that the industry will 147 generate tens of billions of revenues in the medium 3D models, or fly-through video . This approach can 148 155 enable clients to make changes before work starts . term . What appears certain however is that VR’s potential is unlikely to be reached imminently; as with all • Emergency response workers have used VR to practice emerging technologies patience is required. 149 how to respond to faults with nuclear reactors . • There are multiple applications for healthcare, with training and education of staff and members of the 150 public being among the most prevalent . 151 • Hotels can provide VR guides to properties . For guests at a property, a VR headset could act as a virtual concierge, showing guests places they could visit. • As well as teaching via a virtual classroom, VR can additionally be used to provide digitized tours to 152 prospective students . • VR will likely continue to be used in the military where simulators have long been commonplace (see side bar: Simulators and the military). 24
Technology, Media & Telecommunications Predictions Page 30 Page 32