Virtual reality is not only about making first-person shooter games look, sound, and feel more realistic than ever. Even though the number one application of this new technology may seem to be in the gaming and entertainment industry, VR is capable of enhancing many other types of activities.
As companies face the challenge of innovating their products and services at a fast pace and need to find new ways to attract their customers, virtual reality is their best ally in this quest. The “see it to believe it” concept takes shape in the most literal way for a wide range of industries, from retail to education and space exploration.
This is certainly good news for developers, who will find new challenges including VR technology in different applications, beyond console and mobile games. To understand the extent of these possibilities, these are currently the top applications for virtual reality in various industries (with more to come, undoubtedly):
Guided property tours are a thing of the past now. Very few prospective buyers and realtors have the time to actually go to a location and walk from room to room. VR glasses and a dedicated app allow every future homeowner to explore a house or apartment at leisure, at their best convenience. This not only saves time, but gives clients the freedom to focus on each important element of the property, such as the window system, the plumbing, the floors and the general state of maintenance of the property.
Soon enough, people may choose to visit famous museums from home. This would certainly prove an efficient solution to the endless queues at the Louvre and the British Museum. Virtual reality museum visits will also help people who can’t afford to travel extensively to enrich their culture.
At the moment, the most notable virtual reality museum experiences are those created for the American Museum of Natural History in New York and the British Museum in London.
Ford Motor Company is the first large car manufacturer that embraces virtual reality, but this is an expanding tendency across the industry. The design team of Ford is now equipped with virtual reality glasses, allowing them to create new models in realistic, 3D environments. This allows the engineers and designers to look both outside and inside any prototype, eliminate design and technical flaws, and improve the overall look and performances of each vehicle.
Using virtual reality for soldiers’ field training is not a novelty for the US Army. Virtual reality is also used for various tactical applications, prior to the actual deployment of strategies. This type of immersive experience builds team spirit and helps new recruits acquire the necessary skills for actual field missions.
NASA relies heavily on virtual reality, both for its Mars exploration mission, and for the entertainment of astronauts stationed on the International Space Station. Also, virtual reality brings space exploration closer and makes it more accessible to the general public. During the 2016 CES in Las Vegas, NASA offered visitors the unique opportunity to experience life aboard a space shuttle or capsule using virtual reality glasses.
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