Virtual reality (artificial reality, electronic reality, virtual reality, VR, 3d virtual reality) is an artificially created modeled computer world into which a person is immersed. However, getting into the virtual world, we realize that we are in an artificially created space, that is, we are able to separate reality from virtuality.
VR - is a virtual recreation of life or any other environment with the help of computer modeling. Virtual reality affects the eyesight, by the user's hearing, causing him to sense the illusion that he is inside the computer world.
We used to think that virtual reality gadgets are only needed for incredibly realistic video games and movies. In fact, the application areas of VR-devices are much larger and many of them bring great benefits to people.
Gadgets of virtual reality have a huge potential and can change the future in different spheres of life - from medicine, business and architecture to tourism and the production of goods.
In a study conducted at Duke University, it was revealed that treating paralyzed people with virtual reality gives astounding results.
During the experiment, patients played virtual football in the VR helmet. After such therapy, they restored the areas of the brain responsible for the movement of the legs. Of the eight participants in the experiment, all to varying degrees, regained control over their legs, and in four the diagnosis of "complete paralysis of the lower extremities" was replaced by "partial paralysis."
Usually for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exposition psychotherapy is used. In the process of treatment, the patient presents traumatic events and tells the doctor what happens when he faces a stressful situation.
Virtual reality acts in a similar way, only from the imagination of the patient action is transferred to the screen of the VR-helmet. In the virtual space, a situation is created corresponding to the traumatic events. For example, for veterans of military operations it will be a world with helicopters, machine guns and missiles. After viewing the doctor asks the patient to tell what happened in the virtual reality. Faced with traumatic events in a safe environment, a person gradually learns to control their fears.
Virtual reality provides future physicians with a safe environment for conducting operations and procedures. During virtual practice, students can make mistakes without risking the patient's life and health, as well as prepare for various unforeseen circumstances in real life.
The ability to contact a virtual patient allows students to develop the necessary skills for the treatment of real people.
Gadgets of virtual reality are used to conduct distraction therapy to help people cope with the pain in the treatment process.
In 2011, a study was conducted, during which the military was offered instead of taking painkillers to play in SnowWorld - a virtual game where you have to throw snowballs at penguins to the music of Paul Simon. It turned out that such pastime helps to cope with pain better than morphine.
The Deep game is used as an analogue of diaphragmatic breathing exercises and helps people cope with fear and anxiety. The player wears a special belt that tracks breathing, plunges into a virtual underwater world and performs breathing exercises in a relaxed environment.
Only five minutes of concentration on the breath provide deep relaxation and a sense of serenity.
A professor at the University of Texas at Dallas has created a program that uses virtual reality to develop social skills in children with autism. Michael Kandalaft, Nyaz Didehbani, Daniel C. Krawczyk, Tandra T. Allen, Sandra B. Chapman. Virtual Reality Social Cognition Training for Young Adults with High-Functioning Autism. .
By placing children and adolescents in social scenarios, such as a job interview or a blind date, the program teaches them to recognize social signals and respond to them correctly. During the use of his development by the children, the professor noticed an increase in brain activity in areas responsible for understanding social signals.
Virtual reality is already used in various business areas to reduce costs, reduce the number of business trips, conduct interviews, tours and meetings, as well as predict trends.
Instead of real trips or interviews with candidates, face-to-face companies use virtual meeting rooms.
Business dealing with dangerous or new products, with the help of virtual reality, can assess the safety and functionality of its products without risking the health of employees.
Virtual reality has taken a firm place in the design activities. Designers and architects have long enjoyed the benefits of virtual space: models created on the computer replaced drawings by hand, greatly accelerating the adjustment of layouts, reducing costs and increasing security.
Modeling the real world not only simplified the creation of buildings and the organization of space, but also allowed to check the environment before the building was built. For example, you can find out how fast people will be able to leave the building in the event of an emergency.
[source]https://www.designboom.com/technology/ford-virtual-reality-lab-vehicle-design-01-15-2017/)
Virtual reality allows a design engineer to check the safety of a vehicle before it is put into production.
In addition to the production process, many major automotive companies, such as Ford, Volvo or Hyundai, are using virtual reality for sale, offering potential buyers the VR helmet for a virtual ride on their cars.
Soon, travelers who want to buy a tour, will be able to see the place, hotel or city, in which they plan to go. This technology has already been tested in the Bluewater shopping center in Kent, UK. It includes virtual helicopter tours over Manhattan, a visit to the pool in Rhodes in Greece and a restaurant in Cyprus.
As you can see, virtual reality is useful not only in the gaming industry. It is rapidly conquering new areas of activity and helps to make the world a little better.
References :-
- http://greenbuzzagency.com/virtual-reality-average-user/
- https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-virtual-reality
- https://www.designboom.com/technology/ford-virtual-reality-lab-vehicle-design-01-15-2017/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality
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