How the Head Mounted Display (HMD) Has the Potential to Transform Human Experience

Over the last few years, we’ve seen augmented reality (AR)
and virtual reality (VR) transform concepts into products that millions of
people use every day through a head mounted display.

When looking at how this trend will continue to evolve
moving forward, it’s essential to focus on the minor improvements in the
current generation of devices.

With each new release, headset manufacturers are trying to
find a way to get the average consumer more comfortable with using VR and AR daily.
This is why we believe the head-mounted display has the potential to transform
the human experience ultimately.

What is Head Mount Display?

Head-mounted displays (or HMDs) are wearable computers that
place the screen directly in front of the user’s eyes, creating a virtual
display. They have been used for over twenty years in virtual reality,
augmented reality, flight simulation, training, remote operation, medicine, and
telepresence.

The technology behind an HMD typically comprises optics to
correct image placement, electronics, sensors to capture head tracking
information, and devices to provide images to the wearer.

Head-mounted displays were first implemented as a way to
simplify pilot training. The idea was that it could help give students an
understanding of what it would be like to fly a plane or helicopter with all
its knobs and controls before ever actually taking control of one.

Another early use for HMDs was for surgeons. It allowed them
to see X-ray images projected onto their screens from a source near the patient
rather than having to deal with large image projectors that could be
distracting in the room and annoying for patients who had to look away from
their procedures to watch someone else’s life flash by on a screen.

How Does It Work?

The person wearing it can see it as if it were a small
screen inches from their face. An HMD has several components:

HMDs are very popular for virtual reality, where users can
immerse themselves in a wholly digital world. They’re also used to display data
or footage to people who need to see it without looking at a screen—a soldier could
receive the data from their wristwatch without looking at their hands while
they’re on duty.

Using an HMD requires the user to focus their gaze at
infinity on something that’s 8-10 inches away—this means most people can’t use
an HMD as an alternative to existing technology like smartphones.

To make an HMD practical for widespread use, we’ll need a
way for users to interact with software without having to remove the headset so
that we don’t have the same experience you get when you try turning your laptop
into a tablet by holding it in your hands with your thumbs touching the screen.

Modern HMDs

The idea of a head-mounted display may bring the image of
sci-fi technology to mind, but this is a simple thing. Modern HMDs can be used
for video games, video chatting with faraway friends and family members, and
even in combat situations where soldiers can see maps or other crucial
information projected onto the visor.

Many new companies are taking advantage of what this
technology can do—for example, an app called Vrse lets you watch live concerts
with your favorite musicians as if they were standing right in front of you.

Creating an experience that’s virtually indistinguishable
from reality is becoming more and more realistic each day, mainly because it’s
such a convenient way to stay connected to people who are far away.

Imagine being able to have dinner with your parents—even
though they’re on vacation in Australia at the moment—as if you were sitting
right across the table from them!

Top 5 Applications of HMDs

It has the potential to transform the human experience. It
is a lightweight device that allows for more immersive and intuitive interaction
with our environment.

Here are some of the top applications for HMDs:

1.    Augmented
Reality (AR)

This technology enhances what we see in the real world by
overlaying digital information onto it. AR can be used in many ways, including
gaming, navigation, entertainment, and productivity apps. AR glasses can also
be used for social interactions such as live streaming or video chatting
through Skype.

2.    Virtual
Reality (VR)

This technology allows users to experience simulated
environments that are completely immersive and interactive. VR glasses are
typically used for gaming, but they have also been used in healthcare settings
such as rehabilitation therapy and pain management treatment programs.

3.    Mixed
Reality (MR)

MR combines AR and VR technologies by adding 3D objects into
real-world environments so that users can interact with them as they would typically
do in those environments.

For example, someone using MR glasses could create an
animated character that appears on their desk while working at their computer.
They can then interact in various ways, such as playing an educational game or
watching videos together.

4.    Gaming

The most apparent application of HMDs is in gaming. Gamers
can now experience the thrill of being inside their favorite game world with an
immersive experience like no other. We’ve seen HMDs used to play games like
Call of Duty and Fallout 4, but now we’re seeing titles like Minecraft take
advantage of this technology.

5.    Medical
Applications

HMDs can be used as an effective training tool for doctors
and nurses by giving them a realistic view of what they’re doing while working
on patients or in other settings where they need to interact with patients.

This helps them learn how things work without performing the
actions themselves and potentially making mistakes that could harm someone
else’s health or well-being.

6.    Education

Virtual Reality (VR) is being used in various ways in
education, from training to learning. One example is using VR to train pilots
to fly military aircraft. In this case, the pilot wears an HMD that displays
the cockpit of their plane and then flies around obstacles with other planes on
screen. This allows them to practice flying without the risk of damaging any
actual planes.

7.    Entertainment

The entertainment industry has been quick to adopt virtual
reality technology. The most common example is gaming, but there are many others,
including movies and music videos.

One thing that sets entertainment apart from most other
industries is how quickly consumers adopt innovations. In just two years since
the Oculus Rift DK2, there has been a steady increase in interest in VR as an
entertainment medium.

8.    Industrial
Use

One of the most common industrial uses of HMDs is in
manufacturing. Workers in many industries use HMDs to make their jobs more
accessible and more efficient. For example, companies like Boeing use the
technology to help workers assemble airplane parts faster and with greater
accuracy than they could without it.

9.    Telepresence
Systems

The next application of HMDs is telepresence systems. This
type of system allows users to experience distant locations in real-time. A
person wearing an HMD can enter another room and interact with other people as
if they were there in person. This technology can be used for various purposes
such as business meetings or even sports events.

10.                  
Training Systems

Another way HMDs are used is for training systems such as
flight simulators. These unique devices help pilots learn how to fly planes
without getting on one themselves.

Flight simulators allow them to practice flying in
situations that might otherwise be dangerous or impossible, like stormy weather
conditions or flying at night when it would be impossible for them to see correctly
with their naked eyes alone.

Are There Any Disadvantages?

There are many advantages that HMDs can offer, but there are
also many disadvantages.

• One of the main disadvantages is that they can
  cause severe damage to your eyes. This is the biggest issue, especially if you
  wear them for long periods.
• Moreover, this pressure can cause headaches and
  eye fatigue, leading to permanent damage over time. The effects are more
  noticeable when using high-quality headsets like Oculus Rift or HTC Vive Pro.
• Another problem is that HMDs block out your
  field of vision, which makes it difficult to see what’s going on around you
  while wearing them. This could be dangerous if you need to do something while
  wearing an HMD, like walking or driving.
• One of the most significant drawbacks is the
  price. HMDs are not cheap, especially if you want to purchase the best ones.
• They are also less portable than other VR
  devices and may be more challenging.
• The quality of the picture and sound varies significantly
  from one model to another and can be quite different from what you see in
  advertisements.

Final Thoughts

So what do you think? Does the head-mounted display have the
potential to revolutionize the human experience? One day, do you see yourself
partaking in this next great adventure and living in another world separate
from ours?

Or is it all just a bunch of hype, technology that we’ll
never use like Google Glass and other products? The final verdict is still out
on whether or not the HMD will reach its full potential. However, as time goes
on and more people begin testing new virtual reality technologies, we’ll
undoubtedly find out.