Virtual Reality. Why the future never happened
Summary
This episode explores the history and future of virtual reality, tracing its evolution from 19th-century stereoscopes and early prototypes like Sensorama to modern headsets. It details the rise of Oculus, the competition with HTC Vive, and the integration of VR into gaming consoles, alongside the development of augmented reality technologies like Apple Vision Pro. The host discusses why the predicted VR revolution has not fully materialized, highlighting current challenges such as a lack of engaging content and the high cost of AR devices.
Topics discussed
Introduction and episode overview
Early origins: Stereoscopes and science fiction
Morton Heilig's Sensorama and early prototypes
First HMDs and the Sword of Damocles
VPL Research, Jaron Lanier, and NASA projects
Virtuality arcade systems in the 90s
Active Shutter 3D systems for consoles
Sega VR, Nintendo Virtual Boy, and early failures
The VR industry's decline and dormancy
Palmer Luckey and the creation of Oculus Rift
Kickstarter success and Facebook acquisition
Valve's VR efforts and the HTC Vive launch
Sony's Project Morpheus and PlayStation VR
Standalone headsets, pandemic boom, and Meta
Current market landscape and hardware evolution
Content challenges and Google Cardboard
Augmented Reality: Google Glass to Apple Vision Pro
Conclusion and future outlook
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