When you mention virtual reality (VR), most people’s thoughts turn to video games. Indeed, Sony has just announced its new Playstation VR headset. But VR isn’t just about gaming. There are many other interesting and exciting uses for VR.
Education is a prime candidate for VR applications. Imagine immersing a student entirely into another world. One such is the World of Comenius, named after a 17th Century Czech teacher, John Amos Comenius. It enables students to learn about anatomy and to drill down into the various parts and systems of the human body.
Video about Comenius educational software.
Meanwhile in Japan, in the wake of the tsunami, researchers at Aichi University of Technology are working on a VR simulation that will actually train people to cope with a similar disaster.
There is also great news for artists, as 3D drawing and painting are becoming a reality. Oculus Story Studio is working on software that will allow an artist using a VR Headset and haptic devices to take digital art to a new level.
Oculus Story Studio Art Software
In a similar vein, HTC is bringing out Google’s 3D painting app, Tilt Brush, to the HTC Vive VR headset.
HTC Tilt Brush review
Deep Therapy
On a more serious side, VR can help with problems such as depression, post traumatic stress disorder and alcoholism. An early study has shown promise in using VR to treat depression.
Researchers are also looking at whether VR can improve the experience of being in hospital, and even undergoing a medical procedure. In one the latest studies, the Cedars Sinai hospital in the United States has been testing the use of VR with patients, and the results seem promising.
Cedars Sinai Hospital VR experiment
VR might also help relieve the tedium of flying, especially on long haul flights. One French airline, XL airways, is looking to introduce VR into its planes on a trial basis.
The technology is provided by a company called Skylights and could soon become a common feature in air travel. So instead of being on a plane, you could be enjoying the sights and sounds of some virtual venue or exploring your destination, all in full 3D.
