August 6, 2015 7:00 AM EDT
I n the August 17 cover story of TIME, we take a look at the rise of virtual reality, the perpetually promised technology of the future that is finally becoming a reality. Here’s a closer look at some of the minds behind the virtual realty gear that will start going on sale in late-2015 and early-2016.
Palmer Lucky, Founder of Oculus, wearing a set of Oculus goggles at the Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif. on June 23, 2015. Gregg Segal for TIME Oculus game view Oculus Alex Kipman holds a Microsoft HoloLens at the Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Wash. on June 25, 2015. Gregg Segal for TIME Microsoft Hololens game view Microsoft Hololens Ken Birdwell, an engineer from Valve, demonstrates the Vive virtual reality headset at the Valve headquarters in Seattle, Wash. on June 25, 2015. Gregg Segal for TIME Alex Schwartz from Owlchemy Labs, juggling tomatoes in their 'Job Simulator' game for the Vive. Owlchemy Labs Clay Bavor, Vice President of Product Management at Google, wears a Google Cardboard headset at Google's headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. on June 24, 2015. Gregg Segal for TIME More Must-Reads From TIME The 100 Most Influential People of 2024 The Revolution of Yulia Navalnaya 6 Compliments That Land Every Time What's the Deal With the Bitcoin Halving? If You're Dating Right Now , You're Brave: Column The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time