I sat down and thought about some of the pros and cons of my idea and put them down here:
Pros:
- No Physical Discomfort: By keeping the user’s eye aligned with their actual environment (since they can still see the real floor and walls), the sensory conflict that causes motion sickness is decreased.
- No Fatigue: Users will no longer have to deal with the weight of a headset, or dry eyes from screens being inches away.
- Better Awareness: Being able to see your actual room while gaming or working prevents the startled response of someone walking into the room. Remaining grounded in reality.
- Social Connectivity: VR is a single activity. With VR Cameras, Maya and Jerry can have the same virtual experience (like a shared cinema) while still making eye contact and seeing each other’s facial expressions.
- Accessibility & Safety: There is zero risk of tripping over a coffee table or a pet. The home remains a safe, navigable physical space.
Cons:
- Privacy & Constant Surveillance: For the system to work, the VR Cameras must constantly track every movement, eye twitch, and object in the home. This creates a sense of fear, as if the data is hacked or sold, the users’ most private domestic moments are compromised.
- Lighting Problem: In a sunny house, physical light ruins projection. If the sun is too bright, the virtual images might look "ghostly" or washed out. Additionally, the users body might cast shadows onto the screens (the walls), breaking the immersion.
- Heat and Power: Running high-fidelity, 8K spatial projections across an entire living room requires massive processing power. This could lead to a home that is physically loud with fan noise or uncomfortably warm
- Cost of Entry: While a headset is a one-time purchase, VR Cameras could require a full-room installation. The cost of projectors, sensors, and such would likely make this a luxury for the wealthy.