Last Updated on February 26, 2023 by Aftab Mughal
What’s the first thing that comes into your mind when you hear the word virtual reality? Oftentimes, we associate it with the world of gaming, as many gamers are inclined to VR games or VR apps. However, it has a wide scope that only a few is familiar with. It has so much to offer across business, marketing, healthcare, and even space exploration. It has so much potential in various industries.
So, what is virtual reality or VR? It is a computer-generated or simulated experience involving a three-dimensional image or environment that can be similar to or completely different from the real world. One of the reasons why it is very popular among gamers is because, technically, video games are a form of VR. They present a virtual world where users have the permission to manipulate the interactive environment. For example, the game Avakin Life lets you immerse and interact in the 3D worlds where as many senses as possible are being simulated to provide a more realistic kind of experience.
Virtual reality has long been in existing since the 1950s, but the technology became only widespread in the later years. Since then, its applications have been integrated in the mainstream, and it can also be accessed for public use. That is why it is very much associated with gaming and entertainment industry because many users experience it. The game and player connection becomes closer, and they can be completely immersed in their own gaming world.
Virtual Reality (VR) is a computer-generated simulation of an environment or situation that can be experienced using a headset and hand-held controllers. Over the past few years, VR technology has rapidly advanced, and its impact on the future is becoming increasingly clear. From entertainment to education and even healthcare, VR has the potential to revolutionize many areas of our lives.
Aside from the entertainment application, virtual reality has already been known to have influenced the world and shaped its future. It has evidently weaved its way into the fabrics of our modern lives. Find out how it is currently changing our future with its growing potential to influence other industries.
Medical and Health Industry
Virtual reality in the medical and health industries has made a huge contribution. It enhances physician-patient relationship and more engaged healthcare experience. Healthcare providers can make better decisions with better and more accurate medical records of patients. They have a more holistic image of patient medical needs and history. In healthcare, VR has the potential to revolutionize treatment and therapy. Patients can use VR to manage pain, anxiety, and other symptoms, and medical professionals can use VR to simulate surgeries and other procedures to improve outcomes.
With interactive medical imaging, physicians can easily see the real-time impact of certain medical procedures. For instance, surgeons can practice even the most complex surgeries before conducting the actual operation on a patient with the help of virtual reality. While on training, medical students are hands-on with procedures to find which one will have no risk or consequences in real life.
Read: Technologies That Will Irrevocably Change How We Learn
High-Risk Job Training
Hands-on experience can give more accuracy instead of simply relying on abstract theory. In the field of work where risk is very high, workers can greatly benefit from VR. During VR technology training, firefighters, cops, and soldiers can practice their specific emergency and response procedures. They will also learn the dos and don’ts of a virtual environment that is free of any consequences.
Entertainment
Most consumers are becoming interested in television, movies, videos where virtual reality is involved. In the case of VR movies, viewers will have a sensory-filled experience, so they become more immersed on the content that they are watching. 3D movies are the current thing in movie theaters. However, you could have a chance to see yourself as part of the movie itself. You will have a better feel of the colors and the view of every scene in the film.
VR is already being used in the entertainment industry, with virtual reality games and experiences becoming more popular. As technology improves, we can expect to see even more immersive and interactive experiences that blur the line between reality and fiction.
Virtual Travel and Tourism
How would you like to visit museums and historic sites without leaving your homes? You can even travel the world without spending anything with VR. Travel from your house to a whole new place and even socialize with other individuals. You can be there without actually being there. You may want to experience some waves at the comfort of your place and feel the summer heat because of the technology that puts you to far places without going there physically.
Shopping Experience
You can visit shopping centers and malls that you can only reach before when you travel several hours by plane. Would you like to go to Paris or Italy? You can virtually try on new clothes, shoes, bags and other fashion accessories without actually going to these places. Get a feel of the new fashion styles and trends unlike anybody else. You may also want to use VR to do window shopping to have a seamless shopping experience.
If you want to remodel your home, VR can help you even with the tiniest detail that you need. If you want a new look in your lawn, you can look for shops and find the items that you need while you can try them in your place using the VR technology.
Gaming
Definitely the most known field where VR is used, gamers have a better feel of the environment an enhanced user experience. As expectations have also increased, more and more gaming companies have developed new games that use VR technology. They are also working on different gaming aspects so that gamers will fully enjoy the benefit of virtual technology.
With the 3D-simulated environment, immersion, sensory engagement, and realistic activities, virtual reality is not actually only for gaming. It has a wide scope, and people get to experience this so they can make life easier, better, and more enjoyable. There is so much possibility of how it will shape the world and its future.
