Virtual reality could have the potential to revive failing high street stores, but will only be a small piece of the puzzle, according the CEO of an award-winning design and development agency.
Manchester-based Dreamr works with brands to create聽cutting-edge iPhone and Android apps for smartphones, TV, and the web.
The聽tech聽firm is positioning itself ahead of the curve when it comes to VR and AR, highlighting them as huge growth areas in gaming, immersive construction, exploring prototype products or architecture that doesn鈥檛 yet exist.
Mylo Kaye, CEO and co-founder聽of Dreamr, explained: 鈥淭he use of VR will gain huge commercial traction in 2017.
鈥淭he technology can be applied to traditional buying experiences like purchasing a holiday, in ways people won鈥檛 have seen before.
鈥淚magine walking into a high-street travel agent, putting on a VR headset and being transported right into your hotel room.
鈥淚magine looking around your room, walking out onto the balcony and experiencing the beautiful white sandy beach like never before.鈥�
Kaye says a similar brand of technology could also be used by estate agents and interior designers, to show someone around an unbuilt or unconverted property, for example.
Although the current price tag on VR headsets will prohibit most people from having the technology in their home, it could present an opportunity for struggling high street stores to benefit.
He added: 鈥淎 lot of people won鈥檛 be able to afford, or interested in buying, a device like the [HTC] Vive. These will be readily available in high street chains like estate agents.
鈥淚t might be a long shot, but there is the possibility that this kind of technology can encourage people back onto the high street.
鈥淎lthough that鈥檚 a more complex issue altogether.鈥�
Despite the undoubted commercial power of virtual and augmented reality technology, Kaye believes its real success will lie in its ability to achieve social good.
He added: 鈥淭aking this technology and using it for greater good will see the HTC Vive and other headsets employed in hospitals for those physically unable to experience what’s usually possible.
鈥淚n a children’s ward, the VR experience will allow children to virtually go to Disneyland, or swim with dolphins in Mexico.
鈥淭his is when VR technology will changes the lives of those using it.鈥�