Are You Ready To Make Virtual A Reality?
A few days ago, I overheard a couple of my friends talking about the arrival what they call the virtual reality revolution. Wanting to join the casual talk, I told them that I agree because I just saw a couple of cool looking VR headsets the last time I visited the mall but added that it wouldn’t affect me since I’not really into gaming.
The looks they gave me after my comment had me confused for a bit. Honestly, I felt like a Jurassic dinosaur living in the age of computer which made me determined that I probably should catch up to modern times. Like a patient teacher explaining a difficult math equation to a grade schooler, my friends made me realize that the VR revolution is going to affect a lot more than gaming.
Interest piqued, I did my own research (yes I know how to Google now) on what impact VR might have on our lifestyle. Do you think you’re ready to make virtual a reality? Let’s take a look.
Learning New Skills Is A Breeze
One of the biggest impacts VR technology’s arrival will be in learning and education according to Forbes. By incorporating VR through realistic simulation, the complexity of learning a new skill could be greatly reduced.
In fact, the U.S. military has now factored in the use of VR in the training its soldiers. For instance, hand to hand combat can be a difficult skill to learn, but soldiers can train endlessly in a very realistic VR environment until they get it. The best part is that training in VR is a lot safer. Skills like sharp shooting and parachuting are just a few of the areas where training can be augmented by using VR technology.
While VR is indeed useful in the military, the technology has a lot of potential in the civilian fields as well. For instance, surgeons can train virtually to hone their experience instead of getting a fresh cadaver every single time. Training on complicated machinery like airplanes could be done via VR as well as complicated fields like engineering and rocket science.
If you’re planning on learning a new language, the best way is to spar with an AI bot vie virtual reality. Since VR these days can create scenarios with a high degree of realism, learning a new language with an AI-powered bot will give you the confidence you need when you are speaking to a real person next time.
Visit Places Virtually
If you are not keen on learning a new skill or language, you can still do something new with VR. Think about the must-see places on your bucket list. This time, you can actually “visit” there without leaving the comforts of your home.
Well, technically you’ll just be visiting them virtually, which is the next best thing and certainly better than not visiting there at all. You can tour museums and other exciting places without having to worry about hotel bookings, jet lags or being stranded in a place without a decent interpreter.
Actually, visiting places virtually is not limited only to being virtual tourists. For prospective buyers of property, VR can be used to let them tour the place virtually even if it’s on the other side of the globe.
More Immersive Films
An exciting possibility for movie lovers is that virtual reality has the potential to make films even more immersive. For instance, filmmakers could make virtual versions of their latest films where the viewer can look around and view a scene from different angles. Although the challenges in producing such movies will be monumental, nothing really is impossible if there’s profit to be made.
Gaming Will Get More Realistic
As you might have guessed by now, it is in the field of gaming where virtual reality’s potential really shines. Gaming companies already know this which explains why they have been busy forging partnerships with VR hardware makers lately.
Of course, the goal of virtual reality in gaming is to create a virtual gaming world where the difference between the virtual and real world will be blurred. With such highly immersive gaming environment, gamers could be coached to spend their time and their cash in the form of VR gear and in-game microtransactions more readily. Of course, the downside for a more immersive game is that it is going to be more addictive as well.
It is also possible that the evolution of VR will give rise to a new genre of games that could utilize VR’s appeal to the fullest. One possibility is a Sim type VR game where gamers will have a greater ranged of actions to interact with each other, a completely realistic life in the virtual world. Of course, for the more combative types, game developers may attempt to do a Minecraft/Roblox type of VR game where players can form alliances, build bases or pillage other villages in the virtual world.
Medicine
It was mentioned before that VR could be used to teach or let medical students practice surgery. It must be pointed out that virtual technology could be useful in medicine beyond the learning phase. In fact, VR can be very useful in surgery in particular.
As VR and 3D imaging technologies evolve, it will soon be possible for doctors to view the internal organs of their patients virtually. This is very useful in surgery as it will help them map out the right approach that will be minimally invasive to the patient’s body.
Businesses Can Put Up Virtual Shops
Lastly, virtual technology can be used as a very effective marketing tool. One way to do it is to put up virtual shops where visitors can view your wares. As the technology matures, you may be even able to let your customers shop from your virtual store and have the items delivered to their homes. The advantage is that you can make your virtual shop as luxuries as a palace, but it won’t cost you an arm and a leg at all.
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