12 Innovative Uses of Virtual Reality Beyond Gaming

For years, virtual reality (VR) hovered at the edge of technological advancement without securing widespread mainstream recognition or commercial success. However, Citigroup analyst Kota Ezawa predicts that 2016 will mark the year VR achieves mainstream approval. By 2019, the VR market is projected to exceed $200 billion, covering hardware, networks, software, and content. This surge in value has attracted interest far beyond the gaming sector, with VR headsets now being developed and applied across various industries for training purposes and to offer innovative ways to carry out tasks and experience new scenarios.

Here are 12 fascinating ways VR technology is transforming industries outside of gaming.

12. Movies

Many believe that VR headsets will be revolutionized by movies, not games. Oculus has already recruited talent from Pixar to launch its own virtual reality film studio with the goal of creating films that immerse viewers in the narrative. VR films will allow audiences to experience movies like never before, putting them directly in the story with stunning visuals and sound. However, traditional film techniques might be unsettling in a VR environment, so directors and animators will need to develop new ways to frame scenes and handle transitions. Despite these challenges, the future of cinema in VR could be incredibly exciting, especially if both Hollywood and independent filmmakers adopt the technology.

http://www.roadtovr.com/samsung-gear-vr-preview-oculus-cinema-watching-a-2-hour-movie/ Via roadtovr.com

11. Live Events

For sports fans, platforms like LiveLike and NextVR could change the game. LiveLike offers a virtual stadium experience, bringing the excitement of being at a live game right into your home. NextVR has even grander plans to become the 'Netflix' of virtual reality by making VR as common as streaming movies and TV shows. They made headlines when they live-streamed the first NBA game of the season from the sidelines. After that, they secured over $30 million in investments from Comcast and Time Warner. NextVR is also planning to bring VR experiences to live events such as Cirque du Soleil and major concerts.

http://vrscout.com/news/mandalay-ceo-peter-guber-invests-nextvr/ Via vrscout.com

10. Museums

Imagine the opportunity to visit the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the National Gallery all in one day, immersed in culture. Virtual reality is bringing this dream closer to reality, as several museums partner with developers to create virtual spaces where visitors can explore their world-renowned collections. In the past year, the British Museum in London offered a VR weekend experience, and the American Museum of Natural History in New York City allowed online users to view some of its exhibits virtually through Google Cardboard, enabling anyone with a smartphone and a Cardboard VR headset to explore its treasures.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cardboard360images.parisvr Via play.google.com

9. Courtrooms

For years, judges and jury members have been dependent on blurry, 2D images to identify individuals and assess crime scenes. However, experiencing a crime in 3D could offer a far more comprehensive understanding of how events unfolded over time within a specific space. In 2014, University of Zurich researchers published a study investigating the use of the Oculus Rift to realistically recreate events and scenarios discussed during trials. Their conclusions indicated that interactive technologies like VR headsets help individuals better comprehend case details, enabling more informed decisions about a defendant's guilt or innocence.

https://www.everythingvr.com/t/rift Via everythingvr.com

8. Military Training

For several years, the U.S. military has relied on virtual reality simulations to train soldiers ahead of deployment. Using specialized non-commercial developer platforms, troops are placed in combat simulations, allowing teams to practice coordination and use tactical equipment in lifelike 3D environments. The immersive nature of VR headsets plays a key role in training, helping to fully engage trainees and ensuring that the skills and lessons learned are retained and recalled more effectively.

http://www.roadtovr.com/the-gulf-between-high-end-military-vr-and-consumer-vr-is-rapidly-shrinking/ Via roadtovr.com

7. Tourism

The travel industry is the latest to tap into the potential of VR technology. Analysts from the tourism market research firm Phocuswright highlight the significant opportunity to assist consumers in choosing their travel destinations. By offering immersive, first-person experiences of locations and resorts, VR can be particularly beneficial for lesser-known destinations that may not have major attractions or global recognition. With a virtual tour, travelers can virtually explore all that a destination offers before committing to a trip. In early 2016, Matoke Tours, a specialized African tour operator, launched an app that functions like a virtual travel brochure, showcasing 360-degree videos of six Ugandan attractions, including hot air balloon rides and wildlife encounters. Similarly, Ascape, a free iPhone app, offers virtual tours of cities like Berlin, San Francisco, and Botswana.

Hotel operators are also leveraging VR to enhance the guest experience. In September 2015, Marriott Hotels launched the 'VRoom Service,' a service that allows guests to borrow a VR headset and experience immersive stories that transport them to locations like Beijing, Chile, or Rwanda.

https://eyes.kolor.com/video/4606ffb5e818a7f1a1b6f09316fc570e Via Kolor.com

6. Meditation

Imagine being able to leave behind a stressful day and instantly transport yourself to a serene beach, where your worries simply melt away. With Guided Meditation VR software, users can slip on an Oculus headset and immerse themselves in soothing virtual environments. Since vision and hearing are two of our primary senses, altering them gives your brain convincing signals that you're in a completely different world. Guided Meditation taps into this powerful experience, helping users find a peaceful escape from their daily stresses.

Virtual reality technology also offers a safe, controlled space for patients with phobias to face their fears. A 2014 study in the American Journal of Psychiatry showed that VR exposure therapy was beneficial for a group of war veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR6ybsm1OPA Via YouTube

5. HealthCare

Healthcare professionals were among the first to embrace virtual reality. In the past, VR technology has been used in areas such as skills training, surgical simulations, robotic surgeries, and phobia treatments. It provides a safe space for medical practitioners to refine their skills without risk to patients. Virtual simulations, like those from Surgical Theater and Conquer Mobile, use diagnostic images from CAT scans and ultrasounds to create incredibly accurate 3D models of patients' bodies. Surgeons can use these virtual models to plan the safest and most efficient approaches to operations, such as locating tumors or making incisions. Moreover, VR holds promise in rehabilitation as well. In Europe, MindMaze is helping patients recover from brain injuries using immersive VR therapy that accelerates recovery of motor and cognitive functions compared to traditional physical therapy. Their virtual exercises provide real-time feedback, motivating patients by making the rehab process feel like a game, encouraging them to practice real-world tasks they’ll need for everyday life.

http://medhacker.com/2015/05/02/interventional-cardiologist-explores-virtual-reality-in-medical-procedures-with-jaunt-vr/ Via medhacker.com

4. Automotive Manufacturing

The automotive industry invests vast amounts of money into research and development. Virtual reality enables companies to test out new designs in various real-world scenarios and assess a product's performance before any physical prototype is made.

At Ford’s Immersion Lab in Dearborn, Michigan, employees can wear a VR headset to inspect every detail of a car before it is physically built. This technology integrates directly with Ford’s Autodesk CAD system, allowing engineers to analyze aspects of the design such as the engine or dashboard. They can identify any potential issues early on, before they escalate into complications or costly recalls.

http://emmalouclark.com/the-race-is-on-vr-in-the-automotive-industry/ Via emmalouclark.com

3. Space

At this year’s CES, NASA used VR to immerse the public in the experience of being inside various space vessels. Attendees had the opportunity to see firsthand what it's like for astronauts as they board the new Orion capsule, which is expected to be completed by 2018.

Even more impressive, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory combined the Oculus Rift with motion-sensing technology from the Xbox One Kinect 2 sensor, allowing researchers to control a robotic arm using the operator’s own movements and gestures. This technology is being explored as a potential way to remotely control rovers or instruments located far beyond Earth, possibly millions of miles away.

A groundbreaking simulation was also developed using a Virtuix Omni treadmill paired with a VR headset. This system was designed to train astronauts for a future Mars surface landing.

http://www.geek.com/science/nasa-is-already-walking-on-mars-using-an-oculus-rift-and-omni-treadmill-1564592/ Via geek.com

2. Shopping and E-Commerce

Trillenium is an innovative start-up that is revolutionizing online shopping by creating virtual stores for brands. Their goal is to blend the excitement of in-person shopping with the convenience of e-commerce. The app enhances the online shopping experience by offering virtual store tours. Instead of browsing static web pages filled with text and images, users can engage in a dynamic, real-time shopping experience. They can even invite friends to join them in the virtual store. Since its debut in 2015, the app has caught the attention of major retailers, including ASOS, an online British fashion and beauty giant. Users can explore the virtual store, examine products from various angles, and interact with other shoppers. Trillenium is confident that many more companies will embrace the virtual shopping experience, as UK online retail sales are projected to surge by 64% to £71.2 billion ($110 billion) by 2020, according to market research from Mintel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNRnyR-Z-bQ Via YouTube

1. Education

In 2015, Google introduced its Expeditions Pioneer program, equipping thousands of schools with kits that make it possible for teachers to take students on virtual field trips. Each kit contains Asus smartphones, a tablet for the teacher to guide the tour, a router that enables the Expeditions app to function without an internet connection, and access to a library of over 100 virtual trips, allowing students to explore iconic destinations like the Eiffel Tower and the Great Wall of China.

New platforms like LectureVR and AltspaceVR are paving the way for innovative teaching methods, offering educators the ability to create avatars and host “multi-player” sessions with a level of interactivity and social engagement never seen before. For instance, Toyota is utilizing Oculus headsets in its TeenDrive365 initiative, which aims to raise awareness about the risks of distracted driving among teenagers and their parents. The company believes that VR's immersive capabilities could transform education across various fields.

http://www.thestar.com/business/2015/11/09/google-expeditions-virtual-field-trip-program-coming-to-toronto-schools.html Via thestar.com