Can You Bust These Myths About Virtual Reality?
Virtual reality is not just for gaming. As the technology has grown more sophisticated, various industries outside of the entertainment world have looked to VR as a powerful marketing and visualization tool. Atlas Bay VR is one of a growing number of companies leveraging the immersive power of virtual reality for commercial real estate. But while the real estate world considers how the technology can best benefit the industry, myths are common.
Think you know VR fact from fiction? Take this quiz and see if you know the true potential this technology offers CRE professionals.
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At which stage in the development process can a property benefit the most from using virtual reality software?
YOU'RE CORRECT!
Myth: VR is only good for short, promotional use. Fact: Virtual reality is useful for the same amount of time you normally use renderings, photos and videos — before, during and after construction. Use VR early for architectural and design reviews, or for online marketing and at events to generate brand awareness. VR can be used to visualize a property during the pre-sales and leasing process, and after initial move-in it can highlight amenities that are still under construction. For prospective buyers, the rendering can live online as a web tour and 360-degree content, ensuring the property is showcased to a global audience.
YOU'RE WRONG!
Myth: VR is only good for short, promotional use. Fact: Virtual reality is useful for the same amount of time you normally use renderings, photos and videos — before, during and after construction. Use VR early for architectural and design reviews, or for online marketing and at events to generate brand awareness. VR can be used to visualize a property during the pre-sales and leasing process, and after initial move-in it can highlight amenities that are still under construction. For prospective buyers, the rendering can live online as a web tour and 360-degree content, ensuring the property is showcased to a global audience.
What do you need to take advantage of a Google Cardboard headset?
YOU'RE CORRECT!
Myth: VR technology is complicated to use. Fact: Virtual reality is designed to be intuitive. If you know how to use a smartphone, you can use mobile VR. Devices like the HTC Vive need a VR-ready PC, but setup is also quick and simple. Virtual reality experiences are organic and movement-oriented. Want to go over to the virtual kitchen? Just walk. VR visualization companies will set up the equipment and train real estate professionals on how to use it, though being immersed in VR does not always require hardware. Take a 360 tour online on a phone, tablet or desktop. You can also interact with it on social media.
YOU'RE WRONG!
Myth: VR technology is complicated to use. Fact: Virtual reality is designed to be intuitive. If you know how to use a smartphone, you can use mobile VR. Devices like the HTC Vive need a VR-ready PC, but setup is also quick and simple. Virtual reality experiences are organic and movement-oriented. Want to go over to the virtual kitchen? Just walk. VR visualization companies will set up the equipment and train real estate professionals on how to use it, though being immersed in VR does not always require hardware. Take a 360 tour online on a phone, tablet or desktop. You can also interact with it on social media.
Which of the following statements is true?
YOU'RE CORRECT!
Myth: VR is not practical. Fact: VR tools are flexible for most needs, and depending on the scope of the project, a full VR package can take a little more than a month to create. Headsets offer a range of immersive experiences, from 360 content on mobile VR, to full motion tracking on devices like the HTC Vive. Low powered smartphones can sometimes make users nauseous, but a headset connected to a powerful computer prevents this problem. Image fidelity is also scalable. For architecture reviews, speed and cost are important and graphics quality does not matter. For sales and marketing, VR graphics compete with renderings in quality, but offer a more immersive experience.
YOU'RE WRONG!
Myth: VR is not practical. Fact: VR tools are flexible for most needs, and depending on the scope of the project, a full VR package can take a little more than a month to create. Headsets offer a range of immersive experiences, from 360 content on mobile VR, to full motion tracking on devices like the HTC Vive. Low powered smartphones can sometimes make users nauseous, but a headset connected to a powerful computer prevents this problem. Image fidelity is also scalable. For architecture reviews, speed and cost are important and graphics quality does not matter. For sales and marketing, VR graphics compete with renderings in quality, but offer a more immersive experience.
