A virtual reality experience is cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and less dangerous, but can it replace a real vacation? At the moment, this new technology is only used in vacation preparation.
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00:00 (wind blowing)
00:02 Whether paragliding over the Himalayas,
00:05 sledding in Sweden, or snorkeling in Mexico,
00:08 BR can take us anywhere.
00:10 In just a few clicks, you're whisked away from your couch
00:13 to some faraway destination.
00:14 Travel agencies promote chill vacation vibes
00:23 without the CO2 emissions or the high costs.
00:28 You can buy your own interactive travel experience
00:30 for as little as 10 euros in the App Store.
00:33 Some are even free of charge.
00:36 The agencies offer them to promote
00:38 their destinations and attractions.
00:40 BR technology can help you plan a trip.
00:47 Is your room big enough?
00:49 How far away is the beach?
00:51 Or you can even go on a whole trip
00:53 from the comfort of your home.
00:55 For an immersive experience, you need a good BR headset.
00:58 There are models with no display,
01:02 but use your smartphone instead.
01:04 Cheap ones go for about 100 euros.
01:06 BR headsets with a built-in display
01:10 are a bit more expensive.
01:12 MetaQuest is a real hit and has a price tag of 450 euros.
01:16 But that's still a lot cheaper than going on a real trip.
01:20 (upbeat music)
01:22 Let's crunch some numbers.
01:27 Say I fly from Germany to Vietnam in winter.
01:30 My round-trip ticket might cost 850 euro.
01:34 In the process, more than 3.5 tons of CO2
01:36 are emitted per traveler
01:38 on the approximately 24,000 kilometers of flight.
01:41 BR may be a great alternative for people
01:45 who are unable to travel to places
01:47 because of physical restrictions.
01:49 But for now, virtual traveling can't quite compete
01:52 with taking real vacation.
01:53 BR headsets can't stimulate the sense of taste,
01:57 smell, or feel.
01:58 But there are haptic vests available for consumer use now.
02:03 VR traveling does away with nuisances like big crowds,
02:06 waiting in lines, and jet lag.
02:08 And you might try a few daring activities
02:11 you wouldn't be comfortable with in real life,
02:14 like taking off in a hot air balloon
02:16 or whitewater rafting.
02:19 [upbeat music]
02:22 [MUSIC PLAYING]