The rapid development of VR and AR technology is undoubtedly surprising, but it is worrying at the same time. Many sci-fi movies have warned people of the disadvantages caused by technology development, and even show people the worst consequences. Many talented interaction designers and technologists have quite creative new ideas, but they can’t guarantee that their thoughts about ethics and morality will never cross the line.
In recent years, people are crazy about the virtual world that technology brings us. This really makes the boundary between virtual and reality gradually blurred. In the past 2020, the online office has been integrated into our life. If this development goes on for a long time, the new generation may have the same positioning and cognition of people in reality as those on the screen. I’m not sure this is a good phenomenon. Also, it reminds me of a controversial design example I watched before:
Source: https://vimeo.com/165877382
The “NaturePod” machine is designed to convey “nature” to people through senses such as vision and hearing, so as to help people get a rest from their busy and tiring work. Some people think it reaches the goal, while others feel very ironic that we should use technology to get us out of this environment full of technology. Designers are eliminating the boundary about nature between the virtual and reality, which makes me have some thoughts about the 2nd & 3rd consequences of the development of AR and VR tech. My attitude is not pessimistic, and I am just expressing my concern about the future critically.
Meanwhile, I brainstormed future technology on the premise of ensuring the “boundary”. I think that at present, people can boldly try and innovate in medical, aerospace, transportation, fashion, and other industries. Here’s my idea about innovation in people’s social lifestyle. It inspired by the anime “My Hero Academia” which tells ordinary people and people with superpowers coexist in the same world. However, I have removed the superpowers here, and only retaining human’s “field” and not necessarily the “appearance” of human beings. People can selectively set their own appearance based on their interests. When we wear VR glasses, the “inner world” of the people around us will be displayed. I believe it will be better developed in dating and socializing scenes.
I really like this idea of having technology that allows others to either see us as we are or to see us as we wish to be seen. Nice sketches illustrating that idea.
Wow, I love love love your thoughts around the NaturePod. For sure, the “boundary” between real and hyper life has been blurred up with technologies like AR and VR. While the whole industry is trying to make things look real and feel real so they can immerse our experience even more, yours says that “we need to stop and make a clear line”.
Really nice illustration! It’s really helpful for me to understand your idea. I totally agree with you: I brainstormed future technology on the premise of ensuring the “boundary”. Thank you for your sharing!
Very interesting! I like your sketches, it show your ideas well !