In the rapidly evolving world of technology, HTC VIVE‘s Metaverse Healthcare initiative, according to Pearly Chen, the Head of Business Development & Content Partnerships at VIVEPORT, HTC VIVE, is all set to redefine our traditional notions of healthcare, enterprise, and education. She detailed these advancements in an insightful discussion with the World Economic Forum.
HTC VIVE and the Metaverse: An Overview
VIVEPORT, HTC VIVE’s digital storefront and subscription service, distributes PCVR applications, games, and immersive videos across approximately 80 countries. This is facilitated via HTC’s initiative ‘VIVE for Developers’, a network of resources that educates on creating immersive content. Furthermore, ‘VIVE X,’ an accelerator fund, assists XR startups with scaling and distributing content on the VIVEPORT storefront.
XR: A Lifeline for the Healthcare Sector
“XR is not just about gaming entertainment; it’s something that can be done exponentially better using this immersive interface in artificial intelligence tools,” remarked Chen.
XR offers a dynamic interface for doctors, allowing for a comprehensive three-dimensional understanding of the patient’s condition. This development goes a long way in high-stakes decision-making, especially in healthcare institutions. For instance, the surgical theatre, a tool that transforms 2D medical images into 3D patient-specific anatomies, enables doctors and patients to understand together, plan surgeries, and increase the success of operations.
XR and the Metaverse: Transforming Patient Experiences
Apart from its benefits for healthcare workplace decision-making, XR and Metaverse immersive solutions also enhance the patient experience. According to Chen, immersive solutions can ease patients into surgeries or operations, making the experience less daunting. With the help of XR, both doctor and patient can understand the intricacies of the patient’s health.
HTC VIVE: The Role in Empowering XR Startups
A myriad of XR startups is capitalizing on the distribution opportunities provided by VIVEPORT. These startups have a significant impact through their innovative products, improving interactions across medical schools and hospitals and enhancing patient outcomes. One such example is Mind VR, an XR healthcare solutions provider that brings shared VR experiences into senior homes and assisted living environments to mitigate isolation and mental distress.
XR’s Impact on Education and Training
Beyond healthcare, XR’s potential in improving learning outcomes is immense. High retention rates – up to 90% – of knowledge have been observed in students who used immersive media, according to Chen. This has catalyzed the adoption of XR for staff training across enterprises. From leadership and empathy training to technical skill development, XR is redefining professional learning.
Considerations for Adopting XR in Enterprise
Design inclusivity is paramount in the early stages of enterprise XR adoption. Design elements such as form factor and weight need to be considered to ensure accessibility for a broad demographic group.
As we stand on the brink of this technological revolution, it’s exhilarating to envisage the transformative potential of XR and the Metaverse. HTC VIVE’s contributions to this space are truly pioneering, paving the way for a more immersive, engaging, and efficient future in healthcare, enterprise, and education.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this paradigm shift. What do you think about the potential of XR and the Metaverse in reshaping these sectors? Share your insights in the comments below.
