Do you remember in the movie The Matrix where it became challenging to know reality from the virtual reality? I had a similar experience recently when I tried a pair of the new Samsung VR goggles.

VR, short for virtual reality, is a new technology that provides a completely immersive and even interactive viewing experience. These goggles pair with your mobile device. When using a smartphone for the VR experience, it is commonly called Google cardboard with apps by the same name.

The technology actually takes me back to memories of visiting my grandpa’s house and playing with his stereoscopic viewer that dates back to the 1890s.

Most young parents today experienced the technology through circular slides they put in the View-Master toy and with each click, saw a 3D image of varying images on an African safari. Mattel Inc. collaborated with Google to bring the Google cardboard technology to the modern-day version of the View-Master that provides kids an immersive digital experience.

This VR technology is different than the 360-degree videos that you may have seen creep into your Facebook or Twitter feeds as people begin using new spherical video cameras. The front and back lenses of these cameras each capture 180 degrees of footage to create a seamless 360-degree field of view.

When paired with the VR goggles, the viewing experience makes you feel like you are there and allows you to take control of what you see. As you turn your head, you open your eyes to more video, creating an immersive and interactive experience. It’s mind-changing. Here’s a look at where I think we will see the greatest impact first:

• Education: Instead of talking about the planets, imagine teachers taking students for a walk on Mars. These virtual field trips likely will be the common experience for the newest generation. The training implications for all ages are significant. This is the next generation of training that organizations will be providing their employees.
• Healthcare: Imagine the ability for a medical professional to put on a pair of 360-degree glasses to look inside a patient’s body to uncover an issue – and fix it. It could improve accuracy, efficiency and speed.
• Entertainment: This is a given and the applications are already appearing with movie trailers and the promotions of new attractions and exhibits. The implications are vast from Hollywood movies and family videos to gaming.
• Real Estate: Imagine walking through a house – virtually online – to decide if you’ll buy it. This could accelerate the housing search, make it more convenient and make it easier to purchase property that’s out of state or out of the country. This video technology also would improve the inspection process. 

How will your organization use virtual reality technology to improve training, operations or marketing? We’d like to provide you a tool to test out the possibilities. Retweet the Twitter post and “Follow” the Marco Twitter page for your chance to win the new Samsung VR Gear.