Virtual Reality: What will it take?

<p>From the announcement of Facebook&rsquo;s Oculus VR&rsquo;s consumer headset in 2016 to the launch of Google Cardboard Expeditions, virtual reality has made its way into the topic of conversation in the tech world. VentureBeat, one of the premier online publications covering technology and startups, recently published an article surrounding virtual reality penned by InterDigital Europe&rsquo;s Vice President, Alan Carlton, titled&nbsp;<a href="http://venturebeat.com/2015/06/03/when-virtual-reality-really-hits-it-wont-look-like-google-cardboard/">When Virtual Reality Really Hits, It Won&rsquo;t Look like Google Cardboard.</a></p>
<p>In the article, Carlton discusses the role of the fifth generation wireless standard &ndash; 5G &ndash; in the evolution of virtual reality capabilities. He provides insight into what it will take in terms of core technologies such as Software Defined Networking and Network Function Virtualization in order to deliver the right virtual reality experience. Another major factor for the right experience according to Carlton? Reducing latency.</p>
<p>Recently, InterDigital announced InterDigital Europe&rsquo;s involvement in <a href="http://ir.interdigital.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=913110">four key European 5G initiatives</a>, which all include specific latency-reduction goals. InterDigital foresees 5G latency requirements getting down to about 5 milliseconds, which will enable the broad uptake of virtual reality and augmented reality systems. Carlton states that there is not a single area of the system that does not come into play in driving latency.</p>
<p>For more information on InterDigital&rsquo;s work in 5G, please visit <a href="/vault/">the vault</a>.</p>