Applications of Virtual Reality and How it is Impacting Businesses [2022]
Why VR is the Future and You Should Care?
Virtual Reality (VR) is an immersive technology that allows users to experience computer-generated environments in real time.
VR has boomed in recent years and has quickly worked its way to the forefront of nearly every industry.
While primarily still used for gaming, the applications of Virtual Reality expand to companies in every industry, from healthcare to the military, which are now using VR to change the future.
Also according to Statistica, with a prediction of over 23 MILLION expected jobs specializing in creating immersive experiences by 2023.
The VR AR world could be where you land your next job or be a serious career choice for the generations in school now.
It is coming. It is happening. It is here. VR is the future, whether or not you want it to be.
What is VR?
VR stands for virtual reality and is a computer-generated virtual reality created in a headset, such as Oculus, HTC Vive, or Steam Valve.
It uses headsets that cover the eyes and ears so that the user sees and hears what appears to be real life while interacting in the virtual world.
You could fight zombies, ride a rollercoaster, drive a race car, or even go to space! The opportunities are endless with the applications of virtual reality.
While AR stands for augmented reality and is often used alongside VR, but it is not the same.
AR is when computer-generated images and games are overlaid with the real world. A good example is Pokemon Go, where you can catch pokemon in real life.
While both serve their purposes, VR is today’s focus, but if you want to learn more about the differences between Virtual Reality vs Augmented Reality, check out this article!
Healthcare & Medical Care
In addition to entertainment, VR is being used by healthcare providers as a training tool. Since its introduction to the medical field, virtual reality has greatly impacted how doctors and medical professionals train and perform their jobs.
Whereas before, they would have to study from books and sit in on live procedures, they can now simulate the experience of the actual medical procedure in VR, allowing them to understand better how to help their future patients.
Therapy
Therapy is an ever-evolving practice, and the introduction of VR has made a difference, especially for PTSD and Anxiety.
Rehabilitation
VR is often used in rehabilitation because it can transport the user’s focus and mind to a virtual world. This has proven especially useful with chronic pain sufferers and also burn victims.
Surgery Simulation
Medical VR companies have created VR simulations allowing surgeons to practice surgery in a virtual situation. This helps them learn the necessary skills to be great surgeons and familiarize themselves with different medical devices.
Automotive
The automotive industry has embraced the applications of virtual reality as well because they find it easy to design and test concept prototypes.
Companies like BMW had used VR before it became mainstream in the industry and have used it for nearly all their prototype designing.
Today, most of the major car companies use a combination of both simulation software and physical prototype testing to validate designs before they go into production.
Vehicle Manufacturing
One of the most important ways VR helps in the automotive business is by allowing engineers to create virtual prototypes for vehicles.
They can test and design within a virtual world at almost no cost. This saves companies millions because they no longer have to create multiple prototypes.
Business
Businesses can benefit from VR just like the automotive industry, and while they have just started entering the world of VR, it is highly promising.
VR offers every business the chance to rethink how they present to and engage with their customers.
As both marketing and customer service tools, VR opens new possibilities for showcasing products and services. Further down the line, it is likely to become a uniquely useful source of information on customer behavior.
This is because when someone is engaging with you in a virtual, digital world, a huge amount of data becomes available on how they act, react and interact.
Retail / Online Shopping
Retail and online shopping is seeing some of the biggest innovations in their applications of Virtual Reality.
Various companies are beginning to work on virtual reality stores, allowing people to try on clothing virtually and promote fashion trends through virtual “catwalks”.
As early as 2015, eBay launched the world’s first virtual reality store.
Recruitment
Some businesses are beginning to try recruiting employees through virtual reality by providing interviews and assessments in a virtual workspace.
This allows the company to test potential employees’ skills, especially in a group setting, and find higher-quality workers while cutting back on expenses.
Education & Development
Not everyone has the opportunity to attend a school or go on field trips for various reasons, and VR is helping to bridge that gap.
These applications range from attending live college classes virtually from home, going on a trip to Mars or the Moon, or even exploring the human body as a white blood cell.
Digital Marketing
Marketing is about getting the consumer to discover a product, get familiar with a brand, make purchases, join a cause, or subscribe to a platform or service.
It allows brands and marketers to guide the consumer into the position the business wants, but as consumers become numb to traditional marketing strategies, companies have and will continue to pivot towards VR marketing.
Events, Conferences & Meetings
While COVID-19 restrictions have eased, it made companies and individuals realize there needs to be a better system in place if such a scenario were to happen again. VR, along with Zoom and similar services is a perfect way to get around this, as people can hold events, conferences, and meetings.
Also, can’t get to work? No problem. Pop on your headset and join your team in a virtual world from the comfort of your home.
Tourism
Tourism can be expensive, requiring so many hoops to jump through, especially if you are traveling to a country less than friendly towards tourists.
YouVisit, stated that 51% of Marriot’s customers expressed intent to visit other Marriot locations after the company showed VR travel stories from other Marriot locations!
Whether you want to feel out a destination before you visit or are okay with getting the full experience from your living room, virtual reality is the solution!
Real Estate
In the last couple of years, you have probably seen this application of virtual reality the most! When going apartment or house hunting, visiting new apartments or houses can be a hassle, but companies like Matterport are introducing VR home tours.
Which offers you the ability to explore the house virtually, saving you time, gas and helping you get a feel for it just as if you were physically there!
If you like it, you can book a live tour. If not, you move on to the next one without getting back in your car or walking over to the next neighborhood.
Travel
Travel companies have realized how important it is to offer VR tour options after COVID-19 stopped nearly all travel dead in its tracks. Now, you can travel virtually to nearly anywhere in the world, exploring landmarks you otherwise may never get the chance to visit.
Military
The military functions in very dangerous locations, and it can be difficult to properly train military members to respond to these different scenarios. That is why militaries worldwide are beginning to use VR to put militants into these dangerous environments, so they can become accustomed and react properly, potentially saving their lives and the lives of others.
Examples of Current VR Applications
- Surgery Simulators for Healthcare Professionals
- Virtual concerts and amusement parks
- Field trips to exotic places
- Virtual vacations and tours
Virtual Reality Application Advantages
- Virtual reality worlds can be as detailed as needed and offer much more detail than a video, article, or book can provide.
- It provides a safe alternative to the real deal, especially for military use.
- Opens up opportunities for learning, research, and education without traveling to other locations.
- Brings people together through a different medium or that may be unable to visit one another.
- Cuts down costs for companies and individuals regarding shopping, design, engineering, and more.
Disadvantages of VR
- If you’ve seen Ready Player One, you can see the potential of how easy It can be to become obsessed with virtual reality and spend most, if not all of your time in a virtual world.
- Headsets for VR and higher-end setups can be expensive.
- Accessibility, not everyone will have access to this technology.
- The experiences may not always be as real as the real deal. While it can help to practice surgery and other things in VR, real-life practice is still the best.
<a href=”https://depositphotos.com/stock-photos/computers-electronics.html”>Family in virtual reality headsets – depositphotos.com</a>
Applications of Virtual Reality FAQ
Is Virtual Reality used for Flight Simulations?
Virtual reality is used for flight simulations as it allows pilots to prepare in realistic scenarios before getting into the cockpit of a real plane.
Are there Virtual Reality Apps for iPhone and Android?
Yes, there are many virtual reality apps available on iPhone and Android. While they may not be the highest quality at times, they are available.
How many Virtual Reality users are there?
Over 171 million VR users are currently worldwide, which continues to grow yearly.
Is Virtual Reality a Good Career?
Virtual Reality is an ever-growing field, and there will be a need for VR developers for a long time in the near future. As we mentioned, the possibilities and Applications of Virtual Reality are endless, so it could be the perfect career for you if you are interested in technology or virtual reality.
