Extended Reality Outlook

It is the term that can link humans with virtual realities through computer technologies and gadgets. The use of Extended reality can minimize the human effort or cost for a particular outcome in the healthcare sector, and these gadgets are ready to take the world to new heights in the Virtual-Real environment. XR can use in several sectors of Retail, Education, and Training, Marketing, Real Estate, Entertainment, Military, space, and Healthcare. XR technology can help the healthcare sector in various terms of self-care and well-being to surgical procedures. Extended Reality is segmented into augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR). Where Augmented Reality augments your environment by appending some virtual effects to real sight and Virtual Reality can simulate your real environment totally with digital experience. Mixed Reality can merge virtual and physical environments on the same platform.

Are we ready to accept technology that much?

As soon as, new inventions are coming into existence, people are leaning toward them. The global XR market size has to be an expected USD 200B market by 2025 with a CAGR of 48.1%. The health care sector is the second-largest sector to use Extended Reality, especially after the COVID pandemic. XR technology will be a blast moment in the health care sector, where people were introduced to new gadgets for their betterment. Progress in technology can change the way patients are treated and diagnosed. The health care education sector is going to accept the smart XR classes. With the improved training in the education sector of health care, the future scope for the extended reality is high.

The market size for extended reality is increased tremendously. It can take the health care sector to the technology hub. People are more attracted to the new way of treatment of telecommunication through augmented reality; it can save traveling time and reduce exposure to the virus. It can make better understanding to health care providers to recognize the behavior of patients even without in-person presence.

Extended Reality Market Segmentation

Extended Reality is segmented into the three realities;

1. Augmented Reality – AR is the term in which digital wearables are used to visualize elements that can enhance the real environment. It is the most growing XR technology in recent times. AR is widely used in the health care sector. On January 12, 2022, Magic Leap announces its healthcare partners for its second-generation augmented reality (AR) platform. Google Glass is one of the major inventions in the Augmented Reality sector where health care staff can help the patient with their sight without an in-person visit. It can bring the presence of patients as if they were real. It can make it easy to acquire knowledge about any medicine or drug for a patient with in-depth information with 3D imagining.
2. Virtual Reality – VR is the term that can simulate the real environment into the virtual environment. It can create a virtual world with real touch just near you through digital gadgets. The estimation of the VR market in 2021 was $345 million. In 2016 Dr. Shafi Ahmed performed the first VR surgery which was viewed by many aspiring surgeons or others that what will be happened in the operating room through the surgeon’s view. Many companies like Osso VR and ImmersiveTouch can provide Virtual Reality solutions. VR can conduct real conferences with virtual effects. Through VR headsets person can visualize a presenter, and it can enhance the health care aspirings training. VR can also help in physical therapy through Neuro Rehab VR, which can develop VR training exercises.
3. Mixed Reality – MR is the term that can merge Augmented Reality and Virtual reality. It can diagnose and improve the outcomes for a health care expert.

On 7 November 2019, Microsoft HoloLens can work here smartly; it can put the virtual world with the real world simultaneously. It is widely used in the healthcare sector in 3D imaging and surgical planning. It can develop the full body structure visible to medical trainees, with 3D imagining they can easily analyze the organs, veins, or bones. Through HoloLens Mixed Reality can revolutionize the technology in the health care sector.  

Article in brief

Extended Reality is the advanced technology that can bring the real environment to our reach. The Scope of XR in the future is high, as the growing technical interest in humans to create a world in which we can reach anywhere without making efforts into them is increased. Where Scientists are intensively searching for new updating technology in the Extended reality frequently. Many companies are already taken the initiative and launched many gadgets in Augmented reality, Mixed Reality, and Virtual Reality.

The health care industry collaborates with multiple technology companies to generate new devices in the extended reality sector. In Canada, students invent Virtual Reality games to treat cancer patients during chemotherapy. The University of Chicago and University of Texas hospitals majority work with XR technology to scan patients and develop its 3D version to perform surgery practice before the real procedure.

The Healthcare sector faced many challenges during the COVID period. Lockdown can increase stress and mental health issues. To maintain social distancing, travel restrictions, and lockdowns, health care providers are more focused on telehealth solutions. During the pandemic, more people were shifting towards telecommunication where in-person healthcare visits drop down by 40% and the telehealthcare visits were increased by 1800%. Extended Reality telehealth can solve the issues raised by pandemics through remote consultations. Usage of Extended Reality can reduce the use of other equipment like PPE kits and masks.

All and all, the Extended Reality is going to have a huge impact on the future of the world, it will take humans to a new height.