Virtual Reality is Improving Actual Reality

Virtual Reality is Improving Actual Reality

How VR is the Next Step toward Innovation for Many Different Industries

Innovation. It’s a buzzword used quite often nowadays. Innovation is simply the introduction of something new. VR isn’t necessarily brand new. The idea of it can be traced back centuries even, but the more modern applications of it have its origins at least as far back as the 1950’s.

Back then, most of the envisioning of VR was geared toward entertainment, like in the movie industry. The problem for quite some time was simply the lack of available technology to bring VR to life. Now that VR is a “reality”, innovation in the field is going far beyond the movies.

1. Medical Practice

One of the most prominent advancements using VR in medicine is surgical training. Surgeons can now use computer software to simulate surgeries. Using these to train results in several benefits including less errors during real surgeries and improved surgery times. VR is an effective tool for surgeons to practice before taking patients under the knife.

VR is also being used for training in autism and to treat PTSD. As more technology advancements in medical VR come about, it’s safe to say that we’ve only just scratched the surface of what will be possible in the not so distant future.

2. Marketing

Advertising is a highly saturated and increasingly ineffective landscape. To put it plainly, it’s an area in need of innovation. Marketers are now adapting VR as a major component to their ad campaigns. Whether it’s test driving a new car or teleporting to various vacation spots, VR is becoming the next big thing to impress customers.

As VR headsets and smart phone applications become much more accessible, it won’t be long until VR is the go-to choice for effective marketing. It creates a desirable experience for the consumer, while also ensuring that it is memorable.

3. Home Entertainment/Movies

VR is not just exploding onto the gaming scene. It’s also making its way into the TV and movie watching experience. Netflix, for instance, launched its VR app at the beginning of the year to high praise. It provides with a similar experience to IMAX, while never having to leave your living room.

VR is proving to be a reviving force in entertainment. According to vrheads.com, it’s “like getting into a time machine and going back to the first time you ever watched a movie, to a time when you were amazed by the screen in front of you.”

Although, there is still need of advancements in the video quality and available viewing options, It’s safe to say that we’ve only scratched the surface when it comes to VR and home entertainment.

4. Sports

VR is changing the game with sports. I’m not talking about watching sports, although that’s not so far away, I’m talking about sports training. Companies like STriVR Labs are revolutionizing how professional and even college sports teams train and practice. VR is making its way into major sports like the NFL, NBA, and NHL.

A quarterback can now practice running plays against a virtual defense. A basketball player can work on his jump shot. A NHL coach can run his team through numerous repetitions of a play. All these can now be done without stepping onto a field, court, or ice. This is becoming especially beneficial for players who normally don’t get a lot of playing time, like a third string quarterback.

Pro and college sports teams are already implementing the technology into their everyday training. It won’t be long before it’s widely adapted across most sports.

4. Police/Military Training

Being a police officer in today’s world is becoming more challenging than ever. Police officers need to be highly trained in situational awareness, especially in shooting situations. The problem is finding a way to train for these situations in a safe and effective way.

Enter VR.

Virtra, for instance, is a Police Training company that uses VR to train officers. By putting the officers in virtual, immersive situations they can safely develop critical thinking, communication skills, decision-making under stress, and reading body language and threat cues without stepping foot into the real world. It turns out that VR is incredibly useful in real world training just like this.

Virtual Reality is much more than a new gaming platform. It’s not just a fad. As new advancements in technology emerge, VR is quickly taking over the world. We’ve only just begun to see innovation in the world of VR.