An Old Prediction May Come True

I work in robotics. Many deployed unmanned ground vehicles are fully tele-operated, meaning people use video streams to manually remotely control the robot.

The idea of a headset instead of what is essentially a very rugged laptop with a daylight visible screen is very attractive.

The problem is eye fatigue. It is VERY easy to get a headache when watching these things for a while.

They just aren't good enough yet.

The prediction can only come true if other technology comes online. Some systems project light onto the retinae. That makes a lot of sense. I'm not sure they've gone beyond grayscale projections though.

Systems that just have LCDs near the eye are pretty horrible.

In addition to working on robotics, I'm also a gamer. The refresh rate and resolution of current displays are horrible.

Professor Postrel has been talking about "data specs" for at least a decace.

Tele-headsets would give privacy to those working in cubicles. In fact, with a connected headset giving access to all one's data, why would you need an office, a desk or a telephone? We could all work from comfy chairs. I'm not clear on the input device. Would it be a keyboard or a mouse or what?

"We could all work from comfy chairs."

The reason telecommuting is difficult is the lack of social interaction. There is something dynamic about a group of people sitting around a table that hasn't been replicated yet.

A good video phone could solve that.