# Humanitarian VR Cause organizations use virtual reality to inspire empathy in consumers. By [Rebecca Byers](https://www.trendhunter.com/becbyers), Insights Research at Trend Hunter | Published Oct 13, 2015 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/humanitarian-vr ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.2/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Humanitarian VR trend? **Humanitarian VR:** As virtual reality technology continues to become more accessible to the average consumer, cause organizations and other stakeholders are taking up the medium as a tool to cultivate empathy around pressing social issues. In providing an immersive window into a faraway crisis, organizations hope to inspire a call to action among those who are too distant to feel real connection to it. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Aug 13, 2015 to Sep 27, 2016 - Published: Oct 13, 2015 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence) - Megatrends: [Multisensation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/multisensation), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Humanitarian VR trend ### VR Empathy Tool Using VR technology to create empathy towards social issues ### Virtual Reality Storytelling Using VR to immerse the audience in a story that promotes empathy ### Charity Chat Bots Utilizing chat bots to deliver powerful stories that create awareness for a social issue ## What the Humanitarian VR trend means for industry ### For Non-Profit Non-profit organizations can leverage VR and chat bots to create compelling awareness campaigns ### For Retail Retailers can use VR to create immersive experiences that drive empathy and connect with consumers ### For Education VR can be used as a learning tool to help students understand complex social issues like dementia ## Trend signals for Humanitarian VR Trend score 4.2 out of 10, from popularity 65%, activity 52%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 65% - Activity: 52% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Humanitarian VR trend 5 featured examples from Aug 13, 2015 to Sep 27, 2016. - [Empathetic Virtual Reality Retail](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/giving-trip): TOMS Takes Shoppers on Their Virtual Reality Giving Trip to Peru (Category: Social Good) Implication: Development of virtual reality hardware and software to enhance empathy and retail experiences. - [Water Crisis VR Films](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-reality-event): charity: water's Virtual Reality Event Tells a Powerful Story About Water (Category: Marketing) Implication: Charities and nonprofit organizations can utilize virtual reality to create compelling narratives and increase awareness for their causes. - [VR Refugee Camp Tours](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vr-refugee-camp): The United Nations Raises Awareness with a Virtual Reality Exploration (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Exploring opportunities for VR technology to be utilized for educational and storytelling purposes to solve social problems. - [Awareness-Raising Chat Bots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/charity-chat-bot): The Charity Chat Bot Helps Messenger Users Understand the Water Crisis (Category: Eco) Implication: Charities and non-profit organizations can use chat bots as a tool to increase awareness, engagement, and donations through storytelling and personalized conversations. - [Virtual Dementia Simulators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-demenita): This Vitrual Reality System is a Learning Tool for Dementia Caregivers (Category: Tech) Implication: The Virtual Dementia Experience has the potential to disrupt the healthcare industry by improving dementia caregiver training and patient care. ## Recent trend clusters - [Fixable Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/fixable-devices) (Tech) - [Automated Upkeep](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/automated-upkeep) (Tech) - [Ambient Assistance](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ambient-assistance) (Tech) - [Autonomy Stacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autonomy-stacks) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Variable Aperture Smartphone Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-18) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Self-Cleaning Smart Vacuums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tinecos-pure-one-station-5) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)