Immersive technology overview refers to technology that enhances reality by blending the physical environment with the virtual environment. There are various immersive technologies; augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR) and virtual worlds (VW). Many companies in several industries have adopted and embraced immersive technology since it has become more affordable and user-friendly. It won’t be long before this technology is pervasive and ubiquitous across industries and consumers. Although early adopters were from the gaming industry, now immersive technologies have become part of many industries, including healthcare and well-being. This technology is available anywhere, at any time. It also democratizes care for vulnerable populations and creates a new solution for physical and psychological health and loneliness through social reality.
It is important to note that immersive technology has roots as far back as the 1950s. The timeline below illustrates the development of immersive technologies over time and provides a helpful frame in understanding the present and future of this technology.
Immersive Technology Timeline by Vista Partners & Bernard Marr
Recent Developments In Immersive Technologies
A success in the industry, Charlie Fink, wrote about the bleeding edge of VR & healthcare in May 2017 promoting the first Virtual Reality and Healthcare Symposium. The focus was on the impact of virtual reality on health and medicine at George Washington University. Three years later (2019), one of the most influential organizations in the industry was founded by Bob Fine, The International Virtual Reality and Healthcare Association (IVRHA). The IVRHA is a member-driven organization comprised of entities throughout the healthcare ecosystem, including technology companies, teaching hospitals and universities, healthcare providers and insurance companies. The IVRHA’s mission is to facilitate and support the growth of virtual reality in the health and life sciences.
In March 2022, the IVRHA engaged in a gathering of the original visionaries, current company game changers, and newbies, who were all excited to be part of the 6th Annual Virtual Reality and Healthcare Symposium hosted at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. The conference was focused on providing unique content perspectives from across the global healthcare and well-being spectrum. There was also a focus on new emerging voices from across the ecosystem: care, technology, research and policy.
Speakers
The conference keynote was Walter Greenleaf, a neuroscientist and medical technology developer at Stanford University. Walter is considered a leading authority in digital medicine and medical virtual reality technology. Walter inspired hundreds of people in the audience. He shared his latest research on developing computer-supported clinical products, with a specific emphasis on applying virtual reality and digital health technology to address complex problems in behavioral and physical medicine such as Post-traumatic Stress, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Stroke, Addiction, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. His latest presentation was at the 2022 SXSW, “VR & Brain Health: a Neurotech Frontier for Aging.”
Game-changer Dr. Skip Rizzo, a top researcher in the clinical VR space and director of Medical Virtual Reality at USC’s Institute for Creative Technologies, presented his latest research, “A Model for the Integration of Virtual Reality with Psychedelic Enhanced Therapy.” He spoke about how the combination of Immersive Experience with the equally powerful ability of psychedelics to promote neuroplasticity (“reprogramming” neural pathways in the brain). The research shows promising treatment options for cognitive, psychological, motor, and functional impairments across various clinical health conditions.
Nanae Reaves, a trailblazer in tech, spoke about her company, TRIPP. She describes it as the fitness solution for your inner self. The design of the TRIPP experience leverages a large body of existing research on the use of technology in the mental wellness arena. It utilizes proven mindfulness structures, targeted sound frequencies, visuals, and interactions that have a multiplicative effect when administered through VR immersion. In 2022, Tripp won Best VR Meditation of the year.
Tune in next week for Part 2 to learn more about social virtual worlds increasing well-being at the workplace with ImmersiveWorlds. Find out about moving from gamer to patient with Penumbra. Discover Viva Vita with a VR solution to make aging more engaging. And a sneak peek of what Meta is working on with this innovative technology for employee well-being.
