Exploring the Dataverse through a Virtual Reality Windshield
One small hype for ‘some’, or one more ‘giant leap for mankind’?
Imagine seeing your data in a way that is currently impossible. Extending your hand and rotating it about in three dimensions and gaining a perspective that simple spatial restraints hid before. Could that be our next great exploration? Not one of outer space but of inner insights? In an article for Forbes, Bernard Marr discusses a concept that has become more popular over the last few years. It is a new method of study that I consider to be groundbreaking in the data visualization field. AR/VR data exploration. This technology has its shortcomings as it is a nascent tool for now; however, we may see changes soon that will bring the data we mine for insights off the computer monitor and into a manipulable, malleable, and mine-able 3-dimensional space (Marr, 2021).
Here are several leading companies in this emergent tech area.
- BadVR
Bloomberg noted that BadVR is the first of its kind in the industry of data visualization, allowing users to step inside their data and experience it with greater freedom and agility. “BadVR is the world’s first immersive data visualization platform. By making big data more accessible, people and companies can discover and identify hidden problems and opportunities, as well as make better decisions faster. Based in Marina Del Rey, BadVR allows people to — quite literally — ‘step inside their data’” (Miller, 2019). Somewhat unsurprisingly, they are only one of the contenders in this new field.
2. Virtualitics
From gathering to visualizing, Virtualitics does it all. So, where does VR come in? “The platform also allows users to collaborate and share using our Shared Virtual Office in either desktop or virtual reality” (Virtualitics, 2021). Incorporating VR into an office scenario could be one way for office workers to experience some of the benefits of in-person collaboration with coworkers, as those who commute to brick-and-mortar locations have. Could this be the solution we have been searching for to the push-back in the professional world to going back to work? Remote work powered by AI/VR/AR technology could be a game-changer.
3. 3Data
This company focuses on Enterprise IT and Cybersecurity. Their three-dimensional data modeling programs are the main value proposition that they present to the market. They offer cross-platform collaboration and are pioneering this new way of looking at data. I find it interesting that they provide an AI named Apollo that can give insight into marketing decisions and power more efficient, data-driven decision-making at the employee level (3Data, 2021). This is a powerful combination: virtual reality and artificial intelligence harnessed for insight generation.
Finally, What would the world look like when we take data and break it out of its two-dimensional mold for good? AR/VR data exploration is already starting to make waves in the tech industry. It may be one of the most important moves we have made in changing our hunt for insights that live beyond the pixelated confines of our computer screens. Will we transcend or allow the status quo to limit our capability? That is the future, and it’s coming quickly.
References
Miller, Matt. “BadVR to Debut Wireless Signal Visualization App at AWE 2019 — Bloomberg,” 2019. https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2019-05-29/badvr-to-debut-wireless-signal-visualization-app-at-awe-2019.
Virtualitics. “Virtualitics: Make Smarter AI-Driven Decisions | AI Data Analysis Software.” Virtualitics, 2021. https://virtualitics.com/.
3Data. “3Data,” 2021. https://3data.io/.
3Data. 3Data Operations Center, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtPHA4uoXC0.
About the Author:
Graham Waters is a data visualization/mining professional with a Master’s in Strategic Analytics from Brandeis University. For more articles written by Graham see his profile page here.
