The Many Uses of Virtual Reality

For years virtual reality (VR) has been widely adapted within the gaming world, allowing gamers to use the technology to immerse themselves in the virtual worlds they cannot physically be a part of.

However, gaming is not the only field in which virtual reality offers advantages. The technology has long been used in many different industries for training and educational purposes.

With the help of virtual reality know as VR,  the sports industry has evolved hugely. It is being used by athletes as a training aid to help measure and analyze athletic performance by placing them in virtual “obstacles” and situations as well as helping them view exactly what they need to improve, thus increasing their overall effectiveness.

VR is also used to boost the sports viewing experience as it can put viewers within the playing field itself through broadcasting the event in real-time through virtual reality headsets.

Within the US and the UK, virtual reality training has been adapted by the military for many years. Military uses of virtual reality include flight simulation, parachute, battlefield and vehicle simulation as well as virtual boot camp and medic training to name a few.

This is not only for cost effectiveness but also allows soldiers to prepare for real world scenarios while eliminating the risk for actual casualties and injuries.

Medical training entails many challenges for students. Failing to properly perform during a real life surgery can have severe consequences. Through the help of medical virtual reality training, students now have the possibility to perform such practices and surgeries risk-free while crafting their skills.

VR has successfully been used to treat anxiety, depression and different kinds of phobias. With the help of virtual reality applications in mental health, many patients have the ability to face their greatest fears in controlled environments through virtual scenarios crafted specifically for each patient.

VR plays an important role in education making it possible for students to visit places and historical events, make virtual “field-trips” or museum visits they otherwise would have difficulties implementing. 

VR in education also allows the curriculum to be customized for students after their individual capacity and needs. Allowing access to almost anything we can imagine, VR in education will continue to revolutionize the way we perceive and interact with the world.