VR is no longer just science fiction; it’s now a real thing. In fact, some companies have already experienced its benefits and are finding them useful.
Virtual reality (VR) allows people to experience things they would never be able to experience in real life. It provides an immersive, safe, and controllable environment for them to learn new skills.
Let’s learn more about it.
What is VR Used For?
Virtual reality allows people to experience 3-D visuals or other sensations through computer technology.
What Is Virtual Reality?
Virtual Reality (VR) is an immersive computer-generated environment created by simulating a physical presence in another place or time. It allows users to interact directly with objects in their physical surroundings using specially designed hardware devices called HMDs (head-mounted displays).
Most Popular
Samsung Gear VR and the Oculus Rift are two of the most popular and costly VR headsets available today. They both allow people to access virtual reality content through their smartphones or gaming systems.
Multi-Projected Environments
Other VR experiences use multi-projection environments that include heightened senses like touching, which is similar to what you would experience in a 4D movie.
360° Experience
At least with VR headsets, you’ll be able (and maybe even able to) have a full 360° immersive environment. Those who use VR can see around an artificial reality, and with the right complementary hardware, they might be able to move around and manipulate that reality too.
Virtual Reality Applications
It’s not clear exactly when VR was invented, but it’s been discussed for centuries. But it wasn’t until recent years that technological advances made it possible to turn fantasies into realities.
Here are 10 industries that are using VR technology.
Healthcare
One of the most important ways VR modernizes healthcare today is by facilitating environments for people to learn and practice skills outside in real-world situations.
Operations
With VR, specialists can practice performing very precise tasks without having to be in the middle of an emergency situation.
Practitioners
Practitioners who want to learn about the hospital environment can do it without having to deal with additional stress.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) uses technology to help people overcome anxiety and phobias.
Entertainment
Entertainment companies were among the earliest adopters of virtual reality technology.
If you take a closer glance at online and/or video game consoles, you’ll notice that VR has a strong foothold in this industry.
Similarly, virtual reality (VR) is being introduced to cinematheques and theme parks to allow visitors to experience movies they’ve never seen before.
Automotive
VR allows car manufacturers to simulate different driving conditions and behaviors of their vehicles. They then use these simulations to test and improve their designs.
Smart vehicles will be able to learn how to drive, steer, and brake by themselves through artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual realities.
Education
Despite its reputation for being a relatively slow business sector, virtual reality (VR) technology has already proven itself to be quite promising.
For children, it means that any sector can offer professional education to its employees. However, for teenagers, VR is part of school lessons, excursions, and in general experiencing life.
Space & Military
Since these two fields must operate in rather dangerous environments where they can’t be easily reached, VR provides conditions for creating simulations that are as realistic as possible for training.
VR allows trainees to experience training without any real risk and even helps veterans who suffer from PTSD to cope with their condition and prepare for new or unforeseen situations.
Architecture
With VR, architects can not just imagine what they’re designing but also feel how it would be if it were actually there. This gives them an understanding of how their design will affect people and allow them to make real-life changes to improve the final product.
Digital Marketing
Most people dislike commercial television, but they enjoy watching TV shows that feature products used in real life. There are a variety of applications of VR in digital media.
Retailers can use virtual reality technology to help people visualize how products would look in their homes. Nonprofits can create more empathetically-messaged messages for political causes.
Occupational Safety
OSH is a concern for workplaces where there may be machines or natural hazards.
Workplace safety hazards can be prevented by simulating them in a safe environment where workers can practice responding to them safely.
Social Science and Psychology
A lot of this industry depends on virtual reality (VR) technology so that patients can experience something they’ve never experienced before. Immersive environments can help people develop new ways of interacting with others.
Tourism
Before buying something, try it out first. Seriously. A good example of this is travel.
You can take guided virtual trips to any hotel, landmark, restaurant, or anything else you’d like to see on your next trip. Then when you do go, there’s no doubt you’ll enjoy yourself.
What Programming Languages Are Used for Virtual Reality?
As far as the intersection between software and hardware goes, not all types of coding will be sufficient for creating technology like VR.
There are only a handful of specific programming languages that can get the task completed.
C#
C# is a programming language developed by Microsoft for use across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Xbox One. It is designed to be used with.NET, an open-source software platform created by Microsoft.
Unity is especially important when developing virtual realities because it is a cross-platform for real-time 2d and 3d game development. Of course, extending its uses to VR games wouldn’t be a problem.
C++
C++ is an addition to C, which is a popular middle-level language. Middle-level languages include C++, and they naturally have the advantage of low-level memory manipulations, so they’re better suited for working closely with hardware.
For that same reason, the language is used in yet another game engine, Unreal Engine.
Java
Java is a general-purpose, object-orientated programming language with 25+ years’ worth of experience behind it.
Because of its low-level aspects, which resemble memory management in a programming language like C\C++, and because of its large set of built-in libraries, Java is a good language for developing virtual reality applications.
JavaScript
JavaScript was originally developed as one of the very first programming languages to support dynamic web development.
JavaScript is used by most web browsers, so it makes sense that it would be useful for WebXR Device APIs, which enable VR through your browser.
Python
The first four programming languages are the prime picks for developing virtual reality applications. However, Python deserves an honorable mention. It’s easy to learn and use, which makes it perfect for beginners.
It includes several packages that can help you create VR apps.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you now know several ways in which VR technology can be applied to improve business growth.
A lot of this is covered by selecting the best programming language for creating VR applications.
If you have any questions feel free to comment below.
