On the bustling streets of Mumbai, a young student puts on a virtual reality (VR) headset and is instantly transported from her tiny apartment to the magnificent ruins of ancient Rome. Meanwhile, in a Delhi hospital, a surgeon practices a complex procedure in a risk-free virtual environment. These scenes, once the stuff of science fiction, are becoming reality in India, where the VR market is on an exciting upward trajectory.
VR is a technological marvel that has captivated the imaginations of millions across the globe. But while VR has taken centre stage in many parts of the world, here’s how this revolution is shaping up in India, both within and outside the gaming world. Today we take a look at some of the biggest players in the Indian virtual reality market, explore the potential of the technology, and find out how VR is saving lives across the world.
What is Virtual Reality (VR)?
The idea of VR isn’t new. It began as a dream in the minds of imaginative storytellers and inventors. In 1935, a writer named Stanley G. Weinbaum wrote a story called “Pygmalion’s Glasses,” in which a professor invents glasses that provide lifelike experiences. Fast forward to the 1970s and 1980s. MIT developed the Aspen Movie Map, which lets people take a virtual tour of Aspen, Colorado, using a screen and joystick. Around the same time, video game giant Atari set up a research lab to explore VR. Although their efforts didn’t lead to commercial success, they paved the way for future innovations.
The real breakthrough came in the 2010s with the Oculus Rift. A young enthusiast named Palmer Lucci created a new kind of VR headset that was lighter, more comfortable and had better graphics. His project was so promising that it attracted millions of dollars in funding through Kickstarter and eventually caught the attention of Facebook, which bought his company for $2 billion.
Other tech giants like HTC, Sony and Valve have also joined the bandwagon and created their own VR headsets. These devices have allowed gamers, engineers, doctors and even teachers to explore new ways of using VR. Now, VR is more accessible than ever. You don’t need a powerful computer or a lot of money to experience it. The technology is spreading in India too and is impacting both gaming and non-gaming industries.
