The Future of Virtual Reality

by Emma Hamilton

The decade-old debate of whether automation is beneficial or toxic has reached new heights with the creation of virtual reality. According to Marxent, virtual reality is defined as “the use of computer technology to create a simulated environment”. Although most commonly associated with the gaming industry, virtual reality (VR) has begun to infiltrate other areas of society.

An example of VR taking effect in a more practical setting is the healthcare profession. In recent years augmented reality has allowed medical professionals to gain a new perspective on tackling the health complications of the general public. Researchers at Birmingham City University have generated technology with motion detection sensors that allow doctors to interact directly with patient data. The user experiences a virtual replica of the patient’s internal organs, bones, and other body parts. This revelation ultimately provides the patient with a visual guide to their lifestyle choices and even a walkthrough of their surgical procedures. At Radboud University and Goethe University in the Netherlands and Germany respectively, scientists conjured a series of images of the Sagittarius A* black hole at the center of our galaxy. They then took these images and transformed them into a 360 degree simulation only viewable on VR headsets. This invention lets astronomers see the black hole with a new set of eyes, reaching a broader audience and informing them about such a complicated topic.

In my opinion the future of virtual reality seems bright. I expect the VR market to only expand with time and enter new industries. I can see this technology being integrated into our everyday lives, whether this includes replacing social interaction or limiting travel miles. The Netflix show Black Mirror and its ability to address technology mirrors many aspects of this topic. I believe that our reality may start to look familiar to this technology-driven world but maybe with fewer negative repercussions. So will virtual reality be taking our jobs or creating more? I believe that new technology will always be on the forefront and there will always be a need for people to understand its complexities. In this regard, virtual reality will continue to develop and only help improve society and solve issues that may arise.

Citations

“Augmented Reality System to Help Medical Professionals.” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 16 June 2017, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170616091558.htm.

Bardi, Joe. “What Is Virtual Reality? VR Definition and Examples.” Marxent, Https://Www.marxentlabs.com/Wp-Content/Uploads/2018/10/marxLogo397x58.Png, 3 July 2019, www.marxentlabs.com/what-is-virtual-reality/.

“Virtual Reality Simulation of a Supermassive Black Hole.” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 19 Nov. 2018, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181119064137.htm.