Brilliant uses of virtual reality you might not be aware of

Virtual reality has taken the world by storm. By that, we mean a literal storm that you can actually sit in. VR has touched just about every industry, from engineering to aerospace, education to advertising. The world’s biggest corporations have utilised it and gamers are plugging in in their basements; it’s all inclusive, all-consuming and all over the globe.

If you’re looking at making moves in the marketing industry, you might want some VR knowledge in your arsenal. Beyond gaming and gadgetry, VR has been used in some weird and wonderful applications. Put your headset on, we’re going in.

In the court of law…

Believe it or not, VR has made its way into courtrooms in the UK and the USA. Jurors can be placed in the middle of crime scene, allowing them to build a picture of the event outside of 2D photographs. Explaining crimes and crime scenes in this way makes it far easier for juries to understand and appreciate — which can only be good for everybody, for prosecution and defence. Aside from crime scene depiction, VR can also be used to build a literal picture of someone’s actions, life events, gait or body language.

A night in the museum…

Ever fancied walking between the pyramids, exploring ancient tombs or examining dilapidated castles of times gone by? Now you can. Museums such as Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute, Peterson Automotive Museum and The National Museum of Finland are all using immersion as a exhibition enhancer. Explore the human body, outer space or jump into a supercar without leaving your seat. Even artists are taking advantage of the new technology, leading to a VR installation at the Tate Modern, London. Visitors can wander through artist’s studios, despite their owners being long gone.

Going on a bear hunt…

Or avoiding one, as the case may be. Would you know what to do if you were facing off with a big grizzly? Don’t worry, you can train in it using VR. First aid, health and safety and even survival courses are being taught using simulations and haptic feedback. Brilliant! You can stop carrying that crossbow around now.

A hospital for the mind…

Stroke victims and chronic pain sufferers are also benefitting from the use of VR. Via distraction or escapism techniques, doctors can create an experience that prevents the body from noticing pain during blood draws or other procedures. For stroke victims, VR can help rebuild neuro-pathways by simulating everyday tasks, such as putting the kettle on, basic counting and learning to walk.

In search of the perfect home…

No time for viewings? No problem. Adobe Midlands, among others, have implemented virtual viewings. Take a wander around your potential property, have a peek out of the windows and get a real sense of the size of each room. Say goodbye to deceptive brochure photos and simulate different times of day to see how light and airy the home actually is.

Don’t get stuck at the roadside…

Picture this. You’ve broken down and the recovery guy is trying to tell you what you to do over the phone. You lift up the bonnet and you have no idea what it is you’re looking for. Well, if you have a Hyundai you can simply point your phone at the engine and use their clever VR integration to label every component. Need to charge a spark plug? No dramas.

As time goes on, it’s likely the VR professionals will find more and more intuitive ways to integrate VR into our everyday lives. From improving over stretched healthcare systems, to making education inclusive for everyone, VR is going to sculpt our future in a big way.