There’s VR, AI, and AR* – all the acronyms of the future of technology, but how will existing platforms intend to use them for their benefit?

Well, during Facebook’s third annual Oculus Connect conference yesterday, they announced they would soon be giving users the chance to feel as if they are in the same space as their friends, no matter where in the world they are, using virtual reality.

Here’ what CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced during the conference:

Social interactions aren’t the main focus of the platform yet but it does mean that we should build software and experiences that follow the way our minds work and the way we process the world.

When personal interactions migrate from social media to social VR, the platform needs to be ready for it.

So how does he plan on doing it? Let’s leave that to Quartz to explain:

Oculus, which was acquired by Facebook in 2014, was originally a gaming-oriented company, and this new approach will feel familiar to gamers. If you’ve ever player Grand Theft Auto, Sims, or any other simulation games, you already know how this works: creating avatars.

In Facebook’s VR world, too, users can choose a variety of facial features and attire options to reflect their real selves. Not only do these virtual doppelgängers have realistic eyes that blink and lips that try to imitate talking motions, they can also express feelings with facial expressions, the company wrote in a blogpost – HERE:

“Our avatars can display emotions and expressions like ‘smiling,’ ‘confused,’ ‘skeptical,’ or ‘listening.’”

A little bit weird, don’t you think? Me too, especially looking at the pics:

A little strange, right? Personally, I’d just stick to Skype, not that I enjoy that either.

The spaces are called “Oculus Rooms” and up to eight people can watch TV together, listen to music or even play chess.

While the idea isn’t exactly novel – HTC Vive and SteamVR have launched their own versions of room-scale VR this year too – Oculus does not have a release date (thank the high heavens), and you’d have to fork out $600-plus for an Oculus Rift headset.

No thank you.

[source:qz]

*VR = Virtual Reality
AI = Artificial Intelligence
AR = Augmented Reality