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What Are the Advantages of Virtual Reality?

Britt Archer
Britt Archer

Virtual reality (VR) refers to computer-simulated environments that look, feel, sound and sometimes even smell like the real thing. As technology advances, virtual life becomes increasingly more lifelike and is applied across a broader range of fields from entertainment to medical therapeutics. The advantages of virtual reality are numerous and vary based upon the application of the technology.

When applied to therapeutics, augmented reality can allow people with disabilities to experience places and tasks that are otherwise unavailable to them. A person in a wheelchair can play a basketball game with the aid of virtual reality games. A person undergoing psychotherapy to confront a past event can do so safely in a virtual reality world without the fear of physical harm.

One advantage of virtual reality is the ability to react to real life situations.
One advantage of virtual reality is the ability to react to real life situations.

The advantages of virtual reality extend to the realms of design and architecture. Computer-aided design allows architects to build and envision a structure to eliminate any potential problems before money is spent actualizing the design. Fashion designers can put together fantastic creations and see how they move and look before mass-manufacturing their collection. Those who design safety features such as emergency exits or rescue equipment can see their designs in play without having to manufacture a prototype and conduct costly testing.

Virtual reality may be a helpful training tool for individuals in the emergency medicine field.
Virtual reality may be a helpful training tool for individuals in the emergency medicine field.

Learning how to react to any given situation, especially a life-or-death situation, is one of the prime advantages of virtual reality. Military exercises performed in a virtual reality environment save lives. Exercises designed to train military personnel allow service members to experience a high-pressure situation without the threat of danger or death. These exercises can be performed over and over again until the person feels comfortable and confident in that situation, a scenario that is improbable and not feasible when engaging in real-life training exercises.

Productivity also benefits from virtual reality. "Telepresence" refers to a type of technology that allows a person to feel as if he or she were present in another location. Used in the business world as a form of telecommunications, telepresence allows a person to conduct intimate business transactions in all corners of the world without ever leaving his place of residence.

The advantages of virtual reality aren't limited to practical applications. As virtual reality improves, the methods with which it is used for relaxation and recreation expand. Stereoscopic displays allow people to appear in a movie as if they were part of the action. Haptic systems allow you to feel physical sensations such as the rocking of a boat in a fishing video game. An increase in relaxation can lead to an overall improvement in physical and mental well-being.

Discussion Comments

Fa5t3r

@clintflint - The learning possibilities are tremendous, but honestly I think the most exciting thing would be the games and what they could mean for the average kid. At the moment they spend most of their lives indoors playing on their consoles, with very little movement involved.

If you had a virtual reality game where you literally had to swing a "sword" or run through a virtual forest, I think the obesity epidemic would end overnight.

clintflint

@MrsPramm - It's the haptic technology they will have to improve before that kind of learning would be possible though. At the moment they could probably pull off virtual reality that is completely dependent on sight and sound without any other sensory input, but there's no way they could make you feel like you had a genuine musical instrument in your hands.

And, honestly, is there really a need for that? It would be easier to just get an actual guitar and take actual lessons. This just seems like dressing up an experience in science fiction for no good reason.

MrsPramm

I'm hoping that the invention of cheap virtual reality will eventually open up educational opportunities for people around the world. If it's not possible for you to go to the best teacher for your chosen subject, you could simply interact with them through virtual reality.

And almost anything would be possible in that kind of space. You could learn how to paint with virtual paint or play music with virtual instruments.

We already have so many opportunities available through the internet and this would add another dimension to that experience.

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    • One advantage of virtual reality is the ability to react to real life situations.
      By: Jandrie Lombard
      One advantage of virtual reality is the ability to react to real life situations.
    • Virtual reality may be a helpful training tool for individuals in the emergency medicine field.
      By: corepics
      Virtual reality may be a helpful training tool for individuals in the emergency medicine field.