Virtual reality also known as computer-simulated reality , which is a computer technology that replicates an environment, real or imagined, and simulates a user’s physical presence and environment in a way that allows the user to interact with it.  In short Virtual reality is the creation of a virtual environment presented to our minds in such a way that we experience it as if we were really there.

Imagine being able to face your greatest fear in a very safe, controlled environment. That is virtual reality.

Applications of virtual reality are used in different sectors. It is used in military, education, healthcare, fashion, business, engineering, media, science, telecommunication, film, and gaming.

Defense:

Virtual reality is adapted by defense sector, i.e. army, navy and air force where it is used for training purpose. It is particularly used for training soldiers for combat situation or dangerous situation where they have to learn how to react. Here VR enables them to react without the risk of death or harm to their life. The main advantage of this saving the time and cost as military training are expensive.

Education:

Education is one of the most important sectors where VR is helpful as it enables large number of students to interact with each other without physically being present and with 360 dimensional environment.

Healthcare:

One of the main advantages of virtual reality in healthcare industry is healthcare professionals can learn new skills and refresh the existing one in safe environment. Virtual reality is used in dentistry, robotic surgery, treatment for autism and many other things.

Entertainment and Games:

VR enables members to engage with 3D objects. VR games are becoming very popular among everyone. Also virtual museums, galleries, virtual theme parks, theaters are becoming very popular.

Business:

Many firms like construction firms, architectural firms are using VR for virtual tours of business environment. Now a days meeting are organized in virtual world with people who are sitting in various locations. VR is low cost solution to communicate with large number of people in remote location.

Movies and media:

Virtual reality is very common in science fiction movies. Also it is used in radio, television. This technology is also part of experimental sound display.

Cons of Virtual Reality:

The main con of virtual reality is the cost as the hardware and the software and the equipment cost a lot. The process of creating virtual reality is very new so hasn’t been accepted and implemented completely in industry. There are also concerns about social impact that can have on people like psychological effects that can be due to prolonged use of the virtual reality equipment.

Future in Virtual Reality:

Headsets will go mainstream:

Virtual reality especially headsets will hit the mainstream consumer market. Devices like Oculus Rift, smartphone based Samsung Gear, Sony play station with virtual reality head mounted display will hit the market in 2016.

Major impact on gaming industry:

Consumers are expected to spend $5.1 billion on virtual reality gaming hardware. Game developers have global audience of 55.8 million and produce 38.9 million virtual reality devices.

Mobile driven virtual reality:

2016 will experience increase in mobile based VR experience. Samsung gear is becoming popular as it is available in low cost.

360 video:

2016 will experience new emergence in 360 degree video. This has shown great potential for users in tourism, real estate, training, medical tourism.

So finally Rift, Vive, play station VR, are all going to land in 2016.In spite of many challenges and cons virtual reality is still predicted to be a mainstream business in coming future.