Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) is one of the strongest trends for future communication systems. Considering the amounts of VR devices expected to be produced in the coming years, it is relevant to estimate their potential environmental impacts under certain conditions. For the first time, screening life cycle assessment (LCA) single score results are presented for a contemporary VR headset. The weighted results are dependent much on the source of the gold and the electric power used in production. Theoretically, using recycled gold for the VR subparts would be very beneficial seen from an environmental damage cost standpoint. Using low environmental impact electric power in the final assembly of the VR headset, in the final assembly of integrated circuits, and in the preceding wafer processing would also be worthwhile. Distribution of the final product is more pronounced than for other consumer electronics.
Highlights
The amount of new kinds of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) devices is expected to escalate in the decade
-called global sustainability accounting shows how much emissions and resources are associated with economic sectors such as electronics [3,4]
New devices, such as virtual reality (VR) headsets produced in China and elsewhere, are expected to make up an increasing part of the energy and resource footprints associated with these two kinds of electronics manufacturing
Summary
The amount of new kinds of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) devices is expected to escalate in the decade. This surge is driven by new types of services based on virtual reality (VR). The production of ICT infrastructure and devices is currently around 20% of the sector’s electricity use in which the share of mobile devices is expected to increase [1]. New devices, such as VR headsets produced in China and elsewhere, are expected to make up an increasing part of the energy and resource footprints associated with these two kinds of electronics manufacturing
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