X Reality: Tech Destiny

The Internet of Things, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Brain Computer Interface, Smart Automation, Haptics, Neurotechnology, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Holographics; the evolution of all these things and more, seems to have been leading to one thing all along. And that is, X Reality.

The Definition

X Reality (XR), a product of convergence, of all the technologies I have listed above and more, is where experience transcends not just the actual and virtual, but biological and technological as well. Unlike Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) where the extent of the experience is limited to sight and sound, XR is about as many as all the biological senses. And that is not all.

Where experience seamlessly traverses the physical natural environment and the artificial virtual environment, blending both, to create a new, unique, otherwise impossible experience, that is when you have XR. And it has no limits.

Biological, Not Just Sensory

Where your interaction with technology, both hardware and software, is directly through your brain, the possibility of experience is beyond just the five senses on the exterior. Internal sensations can be influenced with technology, through XR.

Sensations are felt, significantly through the functions of the brain. With XR, the possibility emerges, where positive or desired sensations are enhanced and negative or undesired sensations are negated. For example, pain management can be transformed, by allowing a user to mitigate pain with the application of XR, to diminish the feeling of pain, or to overcome it, with feelings of comfort or pleasure in greater intensity, than the pain.

New Sensations

New types of physical experiences or sensations either not possible or not safe, prior to or without XR, may become possible for users. That means, the type of sensations we have not biologically experienced before, in human history, may come into being, whether externally or internally.

An illustrative example, is a fantasy planet environment, drastically different from our actual planet earth, that is created for XR, in which we experience presence, in a way, that our planet's physical environment does not allow.

Telepathics

Being randomly able to speak to the thoughts of random strangers near or far, or loved ones. Being able to hug someone half way around the world. Experiencing locations remotely, through persons or machines far away, by synchronizing into their thoughts and equipment. The XR story holds potential to deliver us into the age of bi-location, multi-location or "astral-projection". Basically, XR, is about the extension of reach, beyond our immediate location, without the Virtual Space.

The Disruption

Telecommunication and Internet Service surely will not function, as we know it today, for long as XR arrives at its realized manifestation. That is the obvious. Gaming, television, motion pictures, photography, video, video conferencing and social networking will not nearly resemble their respective present avatars at the time when I write this. The concept of entertainment will be recreated. Tourism is likely to see very different consumer behaviors and priorities.

Business Impacts

The way marketing would work, will change wholly and thoroughly. Travel considerations will be different. Work environments, or at least the desires or demands for them will be different. Work in effect, will become truly borderless.

Limitations

We like to look away from our laptop monitors from time to time. City dwellers love that country side break. We leave concrete jungles to enjoy nature every now and then. With the possibilities and the extent of XR so expansive in our lives ahead, once realized, we will want time away from all technology altogether, or, rather, we will need it for our well-being. People won't therefore stop getting out of their homes altogether. Office spaces will not disappear altogether. Physical travel on airlines or on cruise ships will not cease. People will actually go swimming in the actual swimming pools despite the very realistic alternative that XR would provide.

To escape the overwhelming enhanced experience, we will likely desire a return, regularly in a day, to the natural experience.

Harish Shah is Singapore's first local born Professional Futurist and a Management Strategy Consultant. He runs Stratserv Consultancy. His areas of consulting and Keynote Topics include EmTech, Industry 4.0, HR, Digital Transformation, Marketing, Strategic Foresight, Systems Thinking and Organisational Future Proofing.