Described by Wired as the ‘rich white kid of technology’, virtual reality (VR) has typically been judged based on its potential rather than its results. It’s always about to turn a corner, poised to evolve into more than just a gaming device and always ready to revolutionise industries like architecture, tourism, fashion and medicine. But this doesn’t mean that interest in the technology isn’t growing.

The global VR market was estimated to reach $15.81 billion in 2020 and is expected to climb by around 40% to $21.83 billion in 2021. Used to educate and entertain, VR allows us to explore different worlds and has the potential to connect us with people far away. In an era of social distancing and stay-at-home orders, VR may seem like the perfect technology to connect us, but it remains a niche innovation.