VR, or virtual reality, is a set of technologies that immerse you in a synthetic world. It includes a display that renders a digital environment on a headset and input devices like motion controllers that let you interact with the virtual environment. It also includes software that processes sensory inputs and delivers a coherent experience, and hardware that tracks your movement and synchronizes it with the virtual world.
Entertainment
The most obvious use of virtual reality is transforming the entertainment industry, from immersive cinema to hyper-realistic video games. VR’s impact extends beyond entertainment and into other industries, including training, remote collaboration, testing & prototyping, as well as customer engagement.
Other applications include healthcare, travel and retail. For example, doctors can practice difficult surgeries in VR before they attempt them on real patients to improve their skills and reduce risks. It’s also used to treat phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder by gradually exposing people to their fears in a controlled environment. VR is even being used for physical therapy to help patients reclaim their mobility in an engaging way.
The VR market is expected to grow significantly in 2025, mainly due to the availability of more affordable hardware and software. It is also gaining widespread adoption in the healthcare industry, where it is being used to train students and doctors and facilitate remote patient treatment and diagnosis. In addition, it is being used to promote brand awareness and boost sales by providing immersive shopping experiences and virtual tours.