Category
Lifestyle
Assisted Choices
Trend cluster
Category
Functional
Empathy
VR teaches empathy to better the customer-provider relationship.
2.9
Trend score
Trend
What is the Functional Empathy trend?
Functional Empathy: Though VR has long been a platform used to enhance empathy for various human experiences, it is now able to transform that empathy beyond simply understanding others, and into informative tools. Used to improve everything from doctor-patient interactions to accessible design, this use of empathy-evoking VR takes the relatively shallow benefit of simply recognizing another's perspective, and turns it into a functional tool to enhance user experience – offering a new perspective on VR's potential in market research.
Trend themes
Themes within the Functional Empathy trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Virtual Reality Empathy Training
Using VR simulations to create empathy in diverse areas such as medical professionals and caregivers.
02
Virtual Reality Safety Training
Improving employee safety through VR simulations in a risk-free environment.
03
Interpersonal VR Experiences
Using virtual humans to train workers in soft skills like communication and empathy in the workplace.
Industry implications
What the Functional Empathy trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Healthcare
VR simulations can create a better understanding of patient experiences for doctors and healthcare professionals.
For
Postal & Delivery Services
Cost-effective VR simulations can help train and improve safety measures for postal workers against dogs.
For
Architecture & Design
VR empathy platforms offer designers and architects the ability to better understand the needs of people with disabilities.
Workshop question
How can your brand employ empathy as a component of its market research practices, for the purpose of improving customer experience and interactions?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Functional Empathy
Trend score 2.9 out of 10, from popularity 44%, activity 36%, freshness 8%.
Popularity44%
Activity36%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the Functional Empathy trend
6 featured examples from Jun 10, 2016 to Apr 2, 2019CategoryLifestyle
Death-Simulating VR Experiences
Embodied Labs Wants to Use VR to Teach Empathy to Caregivers
The virtual reality industry can leverage the use of death-simulating VR experiences to create immersive empathy training programs.
CategoryArt & Design
Dementia-Focused VR Tools
The Virtual Reality Empathy Platform Helps Architects Design Inclusively
Integrating virtual reality technology into the architectural design process to create more inclusive and dementia-friendly environments.
CategorySocial Good
VR Sensory Overload Simulators
This Video Gives Viewers Insight On The Reactions Of Autistic Kids
There is a disruptive innovation opportunity in the virtual reality industry to create educational and empathy-building experiences focused on autism and sensory overload.
CategorySpecial
VR Safety Training
The Royal Mail Trains Its Postal Workers on the Dangers of Dog Attacks
Postal services can use VR to train their workers to avoid dog attacks, reducing the number of dog attack incidents and improving safety measures.
CategoryTech
Interpersonal VR Experiences
Talespin's Virtual Human Technology Improves Empathy & Communication
Virtual reality training is revolutionizing how employees are trained in various industries.
CategoryLifestyle
Empathetic VR Training Tools
Embodied Labs Helps Users Understand Life from Patients' Perspective
The healthcare industry can utilize virtual reality training tools to enhance empathy and improve patient care by better understanding the patient experience.
