Although ever-evolving, healthcare is considered a slow adopter of technology. Of course, it has its valid reasons. Healthcare players cannot accept a particular technology until proven safe!

But the last few years have been phenomenal. The emergence of new players and technologies in the healthcare sector has made a difference.

These players are aligned with modern needs and prepared to outperform their older counterparts. They are leveraging technology to reach inaccessible interiors with telehealth and enhance patient experience with immersive technologies like Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Metaverse!

AR and VR in Healthcare

AR and VR have significantly snowballed across the healthcare sector and are on a promising trajectory. AR, particularly in healthcare worldwide, was valued at slightly over USD 600 million in 2018. But by 2023, its use is expected to proliferate considerably and surpass the USD 2 billion mark. Later, which is by 2026, the burgeoning sector is projected to reach approximately USD 4 billion!

AR refers to integrating digital information with user’s environment in real-time. On the other hand, VR is a computer-generated simulation of a 3D image or environment, which can interact in a near-real or physical way via a  VR headset, a specialized device.

Some popular usages of AR and VR in healthcare include digital twinning, medical training, and telemedicine. Let’s look at each of these applications.

  • Digital Twin

Speaking of digital twinning, it is a widespread concept in the manufacturing industry. But it is now rapidly penetrating healthcare as well.

Digital twinning involves using a virtual model or simulation of any object, process, or system. It is created utilizing actual data from the real world to learn more about its true counterpart, which in the healthcare context could be patients in the Metaverse. Digital twinning allows doctors to observe a treatment’s effect on a patient’s body remotely, even if they are not present on-site.

  • Surgical Applications

AR-powered surgical applications can enhance patient safety during surgery by providing surgeons with real-time insights concerning details on patient’s crucial procedures. Additionally, AR-enabled visual interfaces can allow doctors to visualize the locations of various tumors, organs, etc., within the patient’s body.

  • Training and Education

It isn’t that medical training and education haven’t undergone any changes in the past few decades. But AR and VR have the potential to revolutionize healthcare training and education. It will pave the way to a more realistic learning experience and transform healthcare in the future.

These technologies can provide realistic simulations of medical procedures outside the body. They can be used to train healthcare professionals, nurses, etc., on performing various procedures.

  • Telemedicine

Telemedicine is the result of groundbreaking technology that enables complex virtual interactions in real-time. It allows doctors to treat patients remotely via video conferencing or VR technology. They can do so through a mobile app or with VR headsets. AR and VR can also enable patients to manage their healthcare outside hospital premises with remote monitoring tools.

Metaverse in Healthcare

Metaverse is new, emerging, and evolving. Experts project another decade for it to become an active technological element of the healthcare sector. But we considered it to be the next frontier in healthcare and chose to speak about it, considering it to be a buzzword these days across the technology world.

Metaverse in medicine can be referred to as the medical IoT, enabled via AR and VR. It holds immense promise and potential while integrating effectively with fellow counterparts like AR, VR, AI, the Internet of Medical Devices, edge computing, the cloud, quantum computing, and the intelligent cloud.

The technology converges digital twinning, telepresence, blockchain, etc., all of which positively impact healthcare individually. Metaverse is already exhibiting its usefulness and adoption in digital therapeutics. AR and VR in Metaverse enable psychiatric evaluations, cognitive therapy, support groups, and physical therapy as well with the help of haptic sensors.

In addition, Metaverse would also prove to be effective in performing complex surgeries and improving patient care. Robotics already exists and is now a regular part of a healthcare organization’s technology stack. Intricate surgeries are prepared to use AR, and using smart glasses to enhance diagnostic capabilities is another possibility.

The Metaverse is evolving. Hence, we cannot say much about it immediately, at least in healthcare. But looking at the adoption of various techniques so far and in the future, Metaverse may become a breakthrough technology for healthcare.

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Are you a healthcare organization looking to deliver a world-class immersive experience to your patients? AR and VR are an effective way forward! Partner with Qodequay Technologies. Our personalized AR and VR solutions stem from our comprehensive and meticulous design thinking approach.

We adopt a three-step design thinking approach that involves collaborative brainstorming and challenging ourselves. This process results in a bespoke AR and VR solution prepared to build tangible value.

We integrate the latest technologies to help you enhance your patient journey, assess their response, and measure patient engagement while ensuring technical accuracy and safeguarding your fundamental objectives. Click here to know more.

 

What’s Emerging in NFTs?

NFTs in the digital cosmos are like pulsars in the universe – bright and constantly spinning to grab attention. They’ve been evolving ever since they were introduced in 2014-15. NFTs started as a simple jpeg stored on blockchains. But over the years, they’ve evolved into multiple forms like videos, music, games, etc.

Back then, very few people, perhaps only its inventors and some more, might have known about it. But today, NFTs have become a buzzword. Everyone is asking what NFTs are and what’s the next big thing to emerge within this space. So, let’s explore.

What is an NFT?

First things first, NFT, which stands for a non-fungible token, is a non-tokenized version of digital assets like music, art, tweets, etc.

One can trade these assets on blockchain running behind cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc. These digital assets convert into NFTs for people who want to sell their work registered to a marketplace and emboss digital tokens by putting up their work on the blockchain.

Further, they list their items to auction across NFT markets. Every NFT comes with a unique code as proof of ownership when someone buys it.

But Cryptos and NFTs are Different!

NFTs and cryptocurrencies are related through blockchains. But cryptos and NFTs are different. Of course, they are developed using a similar program and intrigue almost the same set of audiences. But they are different across various aspects.

One of the most significant differences is that of their fungibility level. So, you can trade and resell cryptocurrency but not NFTs. In the latter case, the underlying asset is unique and has a digital signature. That makes every NFT distinct. Thus, one cannot exchange it with another for a particular value.

NFTs are different from cryptocurrencies because they are looked at as an investment in art that grows its value over time.

What Makes NFTs Trending?

NFTs have been known to the digital world for quite some time. But they showed their spark lately when a single collectible on an NFT collection series made over a million dollars. Wondering what was it that got sold for a fortune? Pixel art! Consequently, many artists jumped to create art pieces and make money.

NFTs haven’t looked back since then. They pose an attractive piece of asset not only for the creators but also for the buyers. Many digital artists worldwide envisage NFTs to transform the creative process and redefine valuable art.

Thus, one can easily term NFTs a new-age marketplace where artists do not have to wait to hang their art pieces on gallery walls and look for buyers. Here, if people like what they see, they may come to you!

The Future of NFTs

Honestly, it isn’t that NFTs will always be an ascending graph.

A closer and more realistic view of the technology will help you realize the probable ups and downs, fluctuations, and shifts.

One of the latter could be the entry of celebrity artists into the NFT space. While a few have already, many will enter it. Lesser-known artists fear the market they may lose against celebrities entering NFTs. But does that refer to the end of NFT?

No, it doesn’t. Technology and digital marketplaces are open spaces. So, you cannot restrict them to yourselves. The way you’ve entered it, others will leverage it too. But the beauty of digital marketplaces is the new dimensions that every player or set of players adds to them.

Now, the entry of NFTs into the gaming space is an example to reckon with. Conventionally, gamers used to buy items for a game. But those items turned practically useless when they were done with all its levels.

NFTs can change the game, though. Players buy digital assets from the creators and sell them once they are done. So, for players, these purchases can prove an investment. While selling the items, players can earn some money.

Trends will come and go, shaking the NFT market to varying extents. But NFT blockchain revolution is likely to transform things for digital art in the long run.

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Imagine students in a class learning about road safety rules. They don’t have books on their desks, instead, they are wearing Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR) headsets that mimic a real-time busy road scenario. It has vehicles passing by from all directions, signals, direction boards, instructions, and people walking around.

The situation refers to students learning about road traffic and safety rules and regulations in an environment where the real and virtual worlds converge! Think about the lasting impact such an environment could have on the learner’s mind. While they’ll surely learn the subject better, perhaps they’ll never forget what they’ve learned and eventually follow traffic rules and regulations appropriately!

Education and transformations in learning and development have always been the prime areas of focus when it comes to discussing technology. After all, education is at the base of everything we do. Thus, advancements in technology surely impact real-world applications!

Fortunately, 21st-century educators are open to technological adoption, wholeheartedly. The need to create a more competent and digitally driven generation has made them realize that integrating technology is the key to delivering impactful education.

A significant part of integrating technology is introducing Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Mixed Reality into learning and development! Many consider it the future of learning and development. Let’s explore some aspects associated with it in this blog.

The New Realities of AR, VR, and MR

Virtual reality is a term for computer-simulated reality in which a world is entirely recreated or an environment has been meticulously reproduced. The users wear a headset with speakers, a screen, sensors, and handsets to simulate the motion.

On the other hand, augmented reality adds a layer of information, entertainment, and activity. Whereas VR isolates you from real-world distractions, AR’s foundation is the real world. With computer-generated sounds and images superimposed over realistic elements, it provides a real-time perspective on the outside world.

Now, what is “mixed reality”? MR is also termed “Hybrid Reality.” Here, real and virtual elements interact in real-time. Whereas VR replaces reality and AR augments it, MR blends virtuality and reality to create an immersive experience!

Applications of AR, VR, and MR in Learning and Development

Why do people call AR, VR, and MR the future of learning and development? These technologies fundamentally provide experiences and quality of learning. Let’s look at how these learning and development applications use AR, VR, and MR to improve the quality and experience of learning.

AR-Enhanced Learning and Living

As part of its kitchen concept, a leading furniture brand has developed a smart table that suggests recipes based on the ingredients placed on it. This concept exemplifies AR technology in the real world. The interactive table is equipped with a camera projector that identifies the various ingredients and suggests recipes based on what it captures. Thus, the user does not have to wonder what to make with the ingredients available or anything they have on the table.

These immersive and intelligent learning experiences are competing with mobile apps. As a result, mobile app developers may develop augmented apps that integrate with physical spaces to create engaging interactions with the physical real world in the near future.

Virtual Reality in Corporate Training

VR can benefit corporate learning and development.

How? Let’s consider the example of a manufacturing company, wherein the learner enters the shop floor. Virtual reality allows the learner to visit and view every section and machine on the shop floor. Thus, they can know every little aspect of the shop floor before they enter it in real-time. It can help enhance security, and functionality, therefore, positively impacting the learning aspect.

However, real-virtual experiences on the shop floor aren’t the only applications of virtual reality in the business world.

In the realm of soft skills, corporate trainers can also benefit from it. For example, it can help simulate a real-world meeting environment where a company’s prospective leaders practice speaking in meetings, conferences, etc. It can help them overcome anxiety while speaking in front of their leaders.

Mixed Reality in Training

Microsoft HoloLens is the market leader in this category. Its MR incorporates 3D holographic content with the physical world. MR blend physical surroundings with digital ones, thus enabling interactions with virtual content, the surrounding world, and 3D holographic projections.

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AR, VR, and MR surely redefine creativity in the educational realm! They exemplify the next level of education, where immersive experiences make learning more effective. Everyone involved in training and academia can benefit from these technological innovations and enhance their offerings via interactive learning journeys where practical learning in a simulated environment is at the core.

Thus, if you are an educator or a corporate company that is looking to deliver stellar learning experiences, get the best of AR, VR, and MR with Qodequay!

Our unique multi-phase design thinking process enables us to think of what it takes to make learning more enjoyable and effective. Thus, our solutions are closely aligned with user needs and designed to deliver user delight.

We translate our experience and proficiency across AR, VR, and MR into phenomenal learning propositions that hone the learner’s skills and make you a standout. Please write to Contact@qodequay.com to learn more about our capabilities and how we can help you work experiential wonders in learning and development.