The May 2016 VR trends demonstrate that virtual reality is not just a tool for creating fun games. Rather, the technology is increasingly being used by businesses to do everything from previewing a new home to showing how good the view is from different spots in a stadium.
One of the unique ways brands are using VR technology is to help consumers preview products or designs that do not exist yet. For instance, both architecture firms and furniture companies such as IKEA are using VR programs to help clients envision what a new space will look like before construction begins. Similarly, StubHub is using VR to give consumers a chance to preview seats before they buy.
Beyond helping consumers preview future products, the May 2016 VR trends demonstrate that business are also using the technology as a promotional tool. More specifically, brands are using virtual reality to enhance the experience that comes with using their products. This approach has been used by a number of companies, including Kellogg, Patron and Lockheed Martin.
Top 35 VR Ideas in May
34
Ancient VR Cereal Launches
Kellogg’s Ancient Legends Held Tastings Enhanced with Virtual Reality
33
Drone Experience Glasses
The Dominator V3 First-Person Viewer Goggles Lets You See a Drone POV
32
VR Kitchen Simulators
IKEA's Virtual Reality Kitchen Experience Introduces Dream Kitchens
31
Immersive Tequila Event Tastings
The Art of Patron Event Series Launched in London's Shoreditch
30
Virtual Reality-Capturing Drones
Compared to Others on the Market, This VR Drone is Affordable
29
VR Ticket Previews
The StubHub Virtual Reality Features Lets People Experience Where They'll Sit
28
VR Architectural Design Tools
The 'ICE 3D' Software Helps Clients Explore Construction Projects
27
Deep Sea VR Simulators
The Amphibian SCUBA Diving Simulator Lets Users Explore Underwater Worlds
26
Camera-Controlled Contacts
Samsung is Aiming to Offer Smart Contact Lenses with VR Capabilities
25
Virtual PC Headsets
The Pico Neo VR System Operates as a VR Headset and Virtual Computer
24
Action Cam VR Rigs
The GoPro Omni is a More Affordable Version to the Odyssey
23
VR Painting Apps
Tilt Brush Lets You Create Paintings In Three-Dimensional Space
22
4D VR Headset Accessories
The VR Sensory Immersion Generator Brings Simulations to Life
21
Standalone VR Headsets
This Virtual Reality Headset Doesn't Need to Be Connected to a Computer
20
Underground Gaming Events
PlayStation's Pop-Up Let Fans Play VR Games Before Its Headset Release
19
Sanitary VR Mask Guards
These Disposable Face Masks Keep Headsets Clean Between Uses
18
VR Board Games
'Mask of Anubis' Combines Virtual Reality and Gaming
17
Virtual Reality Desktops
This App Brings Windows Desktop Out from Behind a Computer Screen
16
Immersive Drone Goggles
The FatShark Dominator V3 FPV Goggles Enhance Drone Operation and Flying
15
Alien-Fighting VR Roller Coasters
The New Revolution VR Roller Coaster Updates an Existing Ride
14
VR Cooking Shows
The 360° Meals at Samsung Series Combines Gourmet Food with VR Technology
13
Smartphone-Free VR Consoles
The Pockulus Headset is Designed to Make VR Technology More Accessible
12
Virtual Reality Museums
The Tennessee State Museum Will Appeal to a New Generation with VR Tech
11
Live-Stream VR Surgeries
'Medical Realities' Broadcasted the First Public VR Surgery
10
Immersive Space Simulator Games
The 'ADR1FT' Space Simulator Game will Launch for VR Headsets
9
VR-Centric Computers
MSI's New Virtual Reality Computer Features NVidia's VRWorks Technology
8
Interactive VR Experiences
Limitless Entertainment's Gary the Gull Employs Pixar Principles
7
Compact VR Headsets
The SmartVR by Dodocase is Cheaper and Chicer than Google Cardboard
6
Untethered VR Gaming Backpacks
The Zotac Zbox Facilitates Fully Immersive & Unrestricted VR Gaming
5
Virtual Reality Field Trips
Lockheed Martin Turned School Bus Windows into Panels for Viewing Mars
4
Mind-Tricking Motion Simulators
vMocion Creates the Illusion of Motion for VR Headset Users
3
VR Surfing Experiences
GoPro VR Shares Immersive Consumer Content for Others to Experience
2
Virtual Reality Phone Calls
AltspaceVR Lets People Aims to Elevate Daily Chat Sessions
1
Rugged VR Headsets
The Opto Virtual Reality Headset is Structurally Solid and Rugged
Related Ideas
Limited Gaming Eyewear
Viture × Cyberpunk 2077 XR Glasses Appear as a Limited Anniversary Release
Gamified AR Footwear Fittings
Tootsie Augmented Reality Makes Shoe Shopping More Fun for Kids
Personal Computer-Based VR Headsets
Pimax Debuts Three New Models at CES 2026
Fashion-Focused AI Production Studios
Vyking Debuts an AI-Driven Content Creation Module
Mixed-Reality Theme Parks
DreamPark is Capturing the Attention of Digital Adventurers
Spatial AI Shopping Technologies
VusionGroup EdgeSense AI Immerses Shoppers
Automated Retail Concepts
VenHub Smart Stores Use Ai & Robotics to Redefine a Shopping Experience
Spacefaring VR Adventure Games
'Star Wars: Beyond Victory' is Coming Soon to VR Headsets
AI Virtual Fitting Rooms
Perfect Corp. is Bringing a Try-On Experience to Fashion Forward Week
AR-Powered Vending Machines
Snapchat and L’Oréal Made a Gamified Lens to Share Refillable Haircare
VR Creation Platforms
Chop Reality Lets Users Create and Share Personalized VR Worlds Easily
AR Rug Visualizer Tools
Rugs.com Launches Its Augmented Reality Visualization Tool
Extended Reality Glasses
The XREAL AURA Spatial Computing Glasses Offer Up to Five Virtual Screens
High-Profile Live Performance Marketing
Rokid Delighted Folks with a High-Profile Marketing Event
Shoppable TV Ads
Samsung and Amazon Enable Remote-Based Shopping Directly on TV
Hyper-Personalized AI Shopping Tech
OTB Group Embraces Hyper-Personalization with Google Cloud
AI-Driven Shoppable Catwalks
Topshop and THG Studios are Hosting a Next-Gen Fashion Experience
Augmented Reality Glasses
Snap Specs Combine Immersive Displays with Standalone Smart Eyewear
Virtual Watch Brand-Inspired Experiences
Casio Debuts the VIRTUAL G-SHOCK Project in Roblox
Console VR Simulations
Microsoft Flight Simulator Expands VR Gameplay to PlayStation 5
Immersive Soccer Hubs
adidas Unveiled its Toronto Brand Hub for the FIFA World Cup
Drone Home Touring Tools
Zillow Unveils a New Tool That Makes Property Buying Seamless
Vision-Based AI Fridges
Samsung Will Unveil the Bespoke AI Refrigerator Family Hub at CES 2026
Immersive K-Beauty Pop-Ups
TIRTIR Brings Jeju Matcha Skincare to NYC with a Sensory Experience
Fashion-Branded Café Experiences
Vogue Blends Retail with Immersive Hospitality Spaces
Virtual Footwear Try-Ons
Google's AI-Powered Try-On Tech Helps with Online Shoe Shopping
Experiential K-Beauty Retail
Yepoda Opens an Immersive Flagship Store in Seoul
Gamified Condiment Experiences
HEINZ’s Ketchup Blast Turns Meals Interactive
AI Interior Designs
Home Imagine Creates AI-Powered Room Designs In Seconds
Mixed Reality Headsets
The vivo Vision Discovery Edition is Cutting Edge and Immersive
Immersive Video Shopping Experiences
ASOS Live Blends Creator-Led Content with Real-Time Shopping
Entertainment-Powered Retail Experiences
AT&T Brings Toy Story 5 to Interactive Store Activations
Elegant Immersive Brand Experiences
Kohler Co. Invited KBIS Attendees to 'Step into Possibility'
Pop-Up Streaming Service Experiences
EE and Netflix Partnered for an Immersive Experience
AI Beauty Assistants
Sephora Launched Advanced Chatbot Features for Virtual Try-Ons and Bookings
Spatial Computing Kitchen Designers
Lowe's Style Studio Helps People Design with Apple Vision Pro
Data-Driven Digital Experiences
Samsung Unveiled a Color-Changing Installation in London
AI Travel Planning
Mindtrip Turns Tourism Website Content into Personalized Travel Itineraries
AI-Powered 3D Avatars
AVATAi's Platform Creates Customizable Digital Brand Ambassadors
Experiential Brand Stores
New Era Creates Interactive Retail Space With Custom Cap Design
AI-Powered Home Vision Presentations
LG Electronics' Presents 'Innovation in Tune with You' at IFA
AI Retail Forecasts
Experts Outline how AI will Reshape Commerce By 2026
Immersive Character Experiences
Sanrio Brings Kuromi to Life with an Interactive KCON Activation
Game Developer-Targeting AI Tools
Ramen VR Debuts Telos for Its Existing Aura Platform
Virtual Fashion Studios
CostumePlay AI Lets You Try On Clothes Virtually And Explore Styles
Playable Brand Universes
adidas and Brawl Stars Connect Gaming, Apparel and Live Fan Experiences
Shoppable AR Villages
The Snapchat Winter Village Has Three Immersive Luxury Brand Boutiques
Virtual Styling Tools
TryMe AI Lets Users Preview Outfits And Track Style Choices
Branded Product Reveal Events
Dreame Technology Spotlights Innovations at DREAME NEXT
Interactive Digital QSR Experiences
McDonald's Launches 'McDonaldland VR'
Immersive Gaming Lands
Minecraft World Brings the Game to Life in a Theme Park
AI-Assisted Marketing Tools
YouCam AI Pro Offers AI Business Avatar & AI Product Staging Tools
Virtual Live-TV Experiences
DIRECTV Launches Its DIRECTV on Meta Quest Viewing
Immersive Superhero Attractions
Warner Bros. Gamifies Superman Storytelling with Gameplay
AI-Powered Shoppable Runways
Topshop and THG Studios Hosted a Front Row AI Experience
Virtual Clothing Tools
Virtual Try On Generates Realistic Clothing Images For Marketing And Social
Virtual Dressing Rooms
AI Virtual Try On Offers Instant High-Quality Style Previews For Shoppers
Interior Visualization Tools
Room Interior Design Creates Photorealistic Interiors
Virtual Furniture Pop-Ups
Ikea in Roblox’s Welcome to Bloxburg Offers Furniture in a Digital Store
Virtual Try-On Tools
Clothing Virtual Try On Shows Realistic Outfits For Online & Retail Shopping
Immersive Design Studio Showcases
Fritz Hansen Presented 'Shaping Lasting Design' in Copenhagen
AI Virtual Try-Ons
Wear AI Lets Users Try On Clothing Using AI And Personal Photos
AI-Powered VR Toolkits
Meta's Agentic Workflow for IWSDK Democratizes WebXR Development
Pop-Up Sports Hospitality
Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival Turns Urban Spaces into Immersive Fan Hubs
Next-Gen Consumer Goods Technologies
Unilever and Google Cloud Partner to Produce Strong Products
World Cup Hospitality Experiences
Stella Artois Turns Bars into Immersive FIFA Viewing Locations
Emotionally Intelligent Retailer Platforms
JK Tech Spotlights Its Artificial Intelligence Platform
Comprehensive XR Lineups
Goertek Spotlights Its Extended Reality Range at CES 2026
Pop-Up Reality TV Bars
Samsung Electronics' Verkligheten is a Destination for Reality TV Fans
Dynamic Art Displays
Mirage Transforms Personal Photos Into AI-Generated Artistic Scenes
Interactive Convention Activations
LEGO SMART Play Transforms Comic-Con into Immersive Experiences
Immersive Queue Displays
Samsung Transforms Everland Wait Lines with Interactive 3D Safari Visuals
Sports Lifestyle Retail
Nordstrom Blends World Cup Fashion with Immersive Pop-Ups
On-Demand Product Visualization
La-Z-Boy Uses 3D Cloud to Render Custom Furniture Instantly
Emotional Mothers Day Ads
Apple's Mother’s Day Campaign Showcases Spatial Video's Emotional Power
Virtual Fitting Mirror Systems
Ovme Smart Mirror System Lets You See, Feel, and Fit Outfits
Swiss-Engineered Virtual Presentation Systems
The ShowCase Caters to the Needs of Luxury Brands
AI-Powered Virtual Worlds
Google's Project Genie Turns Text Prompts Into Traversable Worlds
Video-Centric World Models
Runway Launches Its First World Model
Science-Backed Adventure Collaborations
Toyota, AllGear Digital & Immersion Neuroscience Partner
AI Experiment Hubs
Google Labs Showcases Early AI Tools And Experimental Features
Outcome-Simulation Skincare
Haut.AI and OLAY Visualize Product Effects Before Purchase
Smart Mirror Platforms
loook.ai Helps Brands and Retailers Transform Retail with AR Mirrors
Immersive Pediatric Imaging
Philips and Disney Create Child-Friendly MRI Experiences
Collective Viewing-Celebrating Ads
Hisense Debuts 'Innovating a Brighter Life' for FIFA 2026
Wearable Olfactory VR Modules
Institute of Science Tokyo Introduced Scent Headset Prototype
Immersive Virtual Reality Concerts
IMMERSION VR Concert Film Brings Fans Virtually on Stage
Fashion-Beauty Convergence
Première Vision and Cosmetic Valley Unite Fashion and Beauty Brands
AR Virtual Space Hangouts
Meta Hyperscape Capture Now Supports Communal Hangouts Anywhere
Worldwide Service Marketplaces
Airbnb Services are for Booking Everything from Catering to Makeup
Stadium Stay Experiences
Marriott Bonvoy Introduces a World Cup Final Sleepover Suite for Fans
Marketing Simulation Tools
Novela AI Marketing Simulation Trains AI Collaboration And Strategy
Expanded Tech Marketplaces
Best Buy Unveils a Digital Marketplace with New Possibilities
Fandom Retail Experiences
TOUS les JOURS Transforms Bakery Cafés into BTS Fan Destinations
Spatial Awareness Headphone Models
The Spherephones Use Spatial Music to Connect Users to Robots
AR Bag Try-Ons
WANNA's Bags Virtual Try-On Experience Visualizes Styles Worn on the Shoulder
Personalized Neuroaesthetic Experiences
113 Spring's Emergence Service Supports Creative Expansion
AI-Powered Home Staging Tools
Zillow Virtual Staging Helps Home Shoppers Imagine the Potential
Shared Reality Entertainment
Sony Pictures invests in Cosm to expand Shared Reality entertainment
Real-Time 3D Engines
Unity Enables 2D, 3D, VR & AR Project Development Across Industries
Virtual Hairstyle Previews
AI HairstyleApp Lets Users Preview Hairstyles Before Visiting The Salon
Conversational Visual Shopping
Amazon Lens Live Matches Products Through Real-Time Scanning
Immersive Blood Donation
Samsung and Abbott Use Galaxy XR to Create Calming Donor Experiences.
Arena Beauty Activations
L'Oréal Brings Immersive Beauty Experiences to Europe's Largest Arena
Interactive Live Shows
Cirque du Soleil's Interactive Experience Offers Multi-Device Exploration
Experiential Tabletop Launches
MindWare Brings Immersive Game Demos to Gen Con 2026
Global Product Launch Events
Uber Unveils a New Go-Get Exhibit Featuring Interactive Vignettes
VR Rail Carriages
The St Vincent’s Express Takes Senior Care Residents to 10 Countries
Interactive AI Headsets
The Samsung Galaxy XR Runs the Android XR Platform
Spatial Commerce Platforms
Curie Shop Brings Interactive Product Exploration To Sneaker Shopping
Interactive Real Estate Showrooms
DUNE Uses Eyefactive Touchscreens for Virtual Property Tours
Shoppable 3D Floor Plans
Amenify 3D Spaces Helps Tenants Furnish Their Space Before Move-In
Ad-Friendly Vertical Video Feeds
Instacart Debuts the Immersive Feed Feature on Its Platform
Interactive Virtual Train Tours
Ocean3D Partners with Lumo Trains on an Interactive Virtual Tour
Prescriptive VR Therapy Platforms
VA Rolls Out Mynd Immersive MyndXR Across 45 Centers
Industry-Advancing AI-Powered Innovation Tools
3M is Presenting a Suite of Tech Advancements
Spatial Bubble Games
Bubbles Everywhere Offers Immersive Bubble Popping on Apple Vision Pro
Real-Time Skin Visualization Features
Revieve LiveAR Offers Real-Time Skin Visualization
Exclusive Luxury Properties Previews
Home Team Luxury Rentals Debuts Coming Soon Properties
Educational VR Florist Programs
The Texas State Florists' Association Debuts a Unique VR Program
Browser-Based Flight Simulation
Google Earth introduces an experimental browser flight simulator
Immersive Festival Art
Absolut and Yinka Ilori Create an Interactive Experience at Tomorrowland
Mobile Creator Experiences
Nikon Connects Creators Through Interactive Multi-City Events
Exclusive AI-Driven Hardware Exhibitions
Gotvoom Organized a Private Exhibition Space for CES 2026
AI 3D Conversion Tools
Sony Uses AI to Turn 2D Visuals into 3D
Spatial Utility Tools
Boost Productivity With Mixed Reality Tools Using Widgets App
AI-Assisted Preliminary Research Methodologies
Brand Vision Harnesses AI to Enhance Its Offerings
Event-Centric Camping Experiences
Huttopia Hosts World Cup Viewing and Activities at Its Campsites
AI Kitchen Design Platforms
3D Cloud Introduces Conversational Tools for Custom Kitchen Planning
Virtual City Explorers
Citywalki Offers Immersive Virtual Experiences In Over 140 Cities
Web-Based VR Games
Slice of Music Delivers an Interactive Rhythm Game for Apple Vision Pro
Digital Urban Replica Systems
RealityMaps Serves Governments, Urban Planners, and Developers
Personalized Game Calendars
Steam Maps Upcoming Game Releases to Each Player's Interests
Marketplace Showrooms
StockX Combines Shopping, Seller Services and Community Events in New York
AI Virtual Tours
RealTour AI Creates Professional Property Tours Quickly And Easily
Brand Recognition Games
Product Guesser Tests Brand Recognition Through Interactive Play Tool
Cardholder Access Experiences
Visa Unlocks Early Access and VIP Perks at Top of the Rock
Immersive Narrative Tourism
EF Ultimate Break Turns Ashridge House Into a Live Murder Mystery Game
Demo Fit Workflows
Vision Pro Demo Fit Helps Retailers Guide Headset Sizing and Selection
iPad Vision Self-Checkout Systems
VisioLab Launches Its AI-Powered iPad Checkout Interface