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The key VR applications, including those in medicine, education, engineering and entertainment, were described in terms of their current or future use. In the text are the major benefits of VR, then a discussion on some of the limitations and improvements of VR technology.
This literature review has shown how virtual reality can be used in many fields and applications. The technology of VR is in its infancy, but people are increasingly interested and optimistic to see what changes it can bring into their daily lives. VR is poised to be the next major technological breakthrough in the modern world, given how quickly society has adopted smartphones and personal computers.
1: The following is a Brief Introduction
This literature review aims to add to the existing library of literature about the various applications of virtual realities (VR), their current and future uses, and the advantages and disadvantages of using VR.
VR is a three-dimensional, computer-generated virtual world that allows users to interact. It can be accessed by a computer capable of projecting 3D data via an isolated screen or wearable display such as an HMD, along with sensors for user identification. VR is largely divided into immersive and non-immersive categories. In non-immersive virtual reality, the information is presented by a series of screens surrounding the user. This is a common example in driving simulations or flight simulators, where the user sits on a seat with several screens surrounding them.
They get the impression of sitting in the plane's cockpit or the driver's chair without fully being immersed. The term immersive VR describes using an HMD or other wearable device to track the user's movements and display VR information according to their position.
This allows the users to see 360 degrees of the virtual world. The immersive VR experience is the one that most people associate with VR. It is also one of its most appealing features. Between immersive VR and non-immersive, we have augmented reality. AR uses computer-generated images that are superimposed on real objects.
This can be seen in a variety of applications. For example, stores offer a virtual fitting app for customers to try on clothes. Mixed reality (XR), which combines AR and VR, is the middle ground between the digital and physical worlds. Users can immerse themselves into a virtual environment while still being grounded in the real world.
VR was initially targeted at gaming. However, it has many other potential applications, such as in education, training and simulations. It can also be used in healthcare and exercise. There is a general lack of understanding about the capabilities and limitations of VR technology across various domains.
The biggest issues that VR faces today are difficult to resolve, ranging from financial to health concerns. The tech industry hopes to solve the current problems of VR technology, such as the discomfort or illness that users may experience while wearing a VR headset.
2: Methods
To present an accurate literature review, we thoroughly searched popular journal search engines/websites such as Google Scholar, JSTOR MDPI, ResearchGate PubMed and ScienceDirect. These include peer-reviewed articles and studies. To find sources, keywords and phrases were combined with the words ``VR" or "virtuality," along with terms such as "Education," Simulation," Games," Virtual," Immersive," Non-immersive," Training," Application," Manufacturing," Industrial," Medical," Healthcare," and Entertainment.
This variety of keywords allowed for a wide range of results, not just for VR as a tech but its major applications in different fields and industries. After gathering the papers and articles, they were reviewed to select more representative and current evidence.
The papers were chosen to provide sufficient coverage by providing an overview rather than a comprehensive review of each type of VR application. A large number of papers will not cover every possible use of VR. Still, they provide an overview of the current applications of VR and future opportunities for VR.
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3: Review of VR Technology Applications
VR technology has advanced so much that it can now be used in various industries and fields, not just for entertainment or gaming. Virtual reality has been used by many to perform tasks that are difficult to do due to the limited resources available or because of inherent dangers and risks.
These tasks can have catastrophic results. Virtual reality is a powerful tool that allows people to perform tasks safely while immersing themselves in the virtual world to make it feel real and accurate. This section provides an overview of some of the most popular VR applications. It also includes examples showing how they can be used in various fields.
Simulation is one of the most widely-used and practical VR applications. It can be created uniquely and tailored to the user's needs. Immersive and non-immersive simulations are the two most common types. As mentioned earlier, non-immersive VR simulators usually have multiple screens with some kind of apparatus or platform that simulates real-life activities and tasks. Immersive VR simulates the use of HMDs instead of screens, and they can be controlled by a platform similar to those used for non-immersive VR.
They can also completely contain themselves within the virtual environment and not require external platforms or setups. There is little difference between immersive and non-immersive VR, with the same results. Immersive VR simulations are more immersive and provide a better experience with head-mounted displays.
Simulations in Industry
Virtual reality simulations can be used for various purposes, from prototyping and designing tools to testing them. Driving simulators, pilot flight simulators, and military combat simulators are some of the most commonly used VR simulators in industrial settings. They train users in dangerous situations without placing them in danger during training. In the next sections, we will discuss two of the most common simulations.
Driving Simulators
Driving simulations are a major application of VR simulations, both for driving training and in the automotive industry. VR allows users to be put in dangerous driving situations without real risk. Driving simulators are useful for various purposes, including observing drivers to gather data and training new drivers in a low-stress environment.
Driving simulations in VR can help train novice or young drivers, and they can learn from their mistakes. They may also need to correct some of their bad habits. In a driving simulation, the driver can be put in a virtual car in an urban environment. Their actions and behaviors are observed and recorded for later analysis to determine if they made any mistakes or if their decisions were correct. Drivers can receive feedback on their driving behaviors and mistakes after the simulation. The simulations are also useful for training drivers who have neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and may find it difficult to learn in an uncontrolled setting.
Product Design and Prototyping
VR can help you visualize 3D models on a screen in an impossible way. Models of prototypes and preliminary designs can be shown and tested in virtual environments for testing and evaluation. The ability to show these models is an important advantage. It allows you to present a virtual part or prototype without having spent much money, time, effort or materials on the prototype.
VR simulations can show the reaction of a product under various conditions. VR simulations are available to demonstrate the effects of various interactions between the prototypes and the surrounding environment. Based on the simulation results, the prototype designer can use this to determine which areas need improvement. This can help the designers make quick changes in VR design for faster results.
Education
VR applications in education haven't been used much, but many studies and examples show how VR is beneficial. By keeping students engaged in the virtual environment, VR helps increase attention. Many teenagers find it difficult to focus in class when the topics discussed aren't irrelevant.
Students are engaged and more motivated when they use VR technology. The VR headsets also help block out visual or auditory distractions so that the students can focus more on their teaching material. These VR methods allow teachers to have more one-on-one interactions with their students.
VR allows students to build and test their knowledge through meaningful experiences. The immersive nature of VR allows students to engage with educational materials and better understand the subject. VR can also transport students into different environments to explore and learn about various concepts. It is especially helpful for demonstrating environments that are impossible to experience in real life, like underwater or outer space.
A mixed-reality application can be viewed as an extension of VR. It can be used to explore real-life learning situations, like laboratory experiments. The HMD can show information about the lab they will experience, and students can also interact with objects in real life to replicate what was simulated in VR.
Students are fully aware of the environment but have a visual representation and understanding of what they must do. This can reduce errors, encourage students to become more independent and engage them.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rapid increase in the use of virtual learning. Many classes are held online using meeting platforms, while others are asynchronous. VR is a unique way to approach asynchronous education. It can create an environment where students can ask virtual instructors questions and receive pre-generated responses. To keep students engaged, it is important that they feel like they are immersed in the environment. It is possible to create virtual environments that look like real classrooms, where students can walk around the room and collaborate with others on their assignments.
Asynchronous classrooms have the disadvantage that they cannot answer all questions. The information is only updated as it is in the current virtual environment. VR-based online education is a more engaging experience for students but cannot replace classrooms with live teachers.
As VR technology advances, it could provide live classes in which students interact with their classmates and teachers at home. It would have been particularly useful when the schools closed because of the pandemic. However, it could also allow students to continue their education. At the same time, they are ill, on vacation, in another country, etc. Although VR has not been used to hold live classes, such applications may be short. This could include asynchronous and social learning, as well as travel.
Public Health
Public health and well-being is another area where VR has been used. The immersive nature of virtual reality allows it to be used for experiences that directly affect people's well-being. Examples include:
- Immersive training simulations for medical professionals.
- Offering new meditation or exercise methods.
- Allowing therapists to help their patients better.
Medical Training
Medical professionals can practice before operating on a real patient. This has been proven to improve the outcome of patients and decrease the number of errors. The preparation and practice of VR can improve patient outcomes because doctors are more prepared to operate on each patient.
Medical students who want to learn how to perform certain procedures can use an interactive virtual world that is programmed to include different scenarios. This allows them to practice real-life scenarios using virtual patients. Virtual environments can be programmed to simulate various scenarios, allowing students to become more familiar with the types of situations they will face in the future.
A video showing the correct way to use an object or tool can be shown when the simulation is viewed. Students can be given step-by-step directions or hints by the simulation so that they can do surgery correctly. These practices allow students to learn more effectively than by reading textbooks. They are more realistic when compared to practicing on mannequins.
VR simulations aren't just for medical students. Experienced doctors and surgeons also have a lot to gain from the technology. PSVR (patient-specific virtual simulations) is a VR technology that allows doctors to simulate actual operations. This technology allows doctors to customize procedures for their specific patients.
A patient's physical characteristics and medical history can be programmed in the simulation to produce the best possible outcomes. The simulation can simulate the most probable or appropriate reaction in real life if a surgeon performed a certain task or took a particular action. It allows surgeons to prepare for their surgeries in advance in a virtual setting. This will help them be more prepared for their actual surgery.
Exercise, Sports and Exergaming
Exergames are a new genre of VR games that encourages users to engage in physical activity to complete the game's objectives. The core idea behind exergaming is to use vigorous physical activity to interact with digital content. This will replace traditional gaming interfaces based on joysticks, keyboards and gamepads.
VR can be used to gamify workouts, which will help users stay motivated by giving them goals they need to reach during the workout. Segura-Orti's study on dialysis patients showed that those patients who used VR instead of traditional physical exercises had a higher level of activity than patients working out with conventional methods.
The enjoyment of exercising in a game format has likely been more successful than real-life exercise challenges and apps. Many examples of VR-enabled treadmills or stationary bikes let users run/cycle while traveling in a virtual world. Immersive experiences like these can enhance users' fitness workouts and encourage newbies to exercise at home.
Social Interaction
Virtual reality allows users to interact in a virtual world. It is possible to establish social connections which would otherwise be difficult to maintain or create. Virtual reality can help those with autism practice their communication. Virtual cognition training can improve social skills such as emotion identification, social attribution and analogous reasoning.
Even young adults with autism who have high functioning can take part in programs that aim to improve their social skills. The programs teach users how to recognize emotions, facial expressions and body language from a person's voice. The users of these programs can benefit from the long-term effects since they learn to identify other people's feelings.
Virtual social reality is a way to communicate across long distances. In a VR setting, virtual spaces are created that allow people to communicate in an authentic environment. Users can create realistic avatars to talk with one another as though they were in person. As long as users are immersed, this communication method can be as powerful as speaking to someone in person. Immersing users in virtual environments gives them a greater sense of reality and more accurate responses.
This became popular, especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Travel restrictions and social distance made it difficult for people to communicate with loved ones. The ability to experience events with other people via VR is a more real substitute than speaking on the phone.
Entertainment
Virtual reality is most commonly used in the entertainment industry. VR offers users new immersive ways to enjoy a variety of media.
Watching movies, TV shows, or videos is one form of VR media consumption. VR allows users to enjoy visual media in new ways. Its ability to immerse them into a virtual environment is a great advantage. The VR display can play 360-degree videos, allowing users to walk around the virtual world. This allows the user to have a much more immersive experience. The user can now choose what to focus on in the video.
Virtual travel and tourism is another application. Users can experience virtual tourism by immersing themselves in environments based on actual landscapes and locations. Many people would not otherwise be able to afford to travel to faraway locations.
4: Virtual Reality: Limitations, Side Effects and Other Issues
Although VR is a versatile and powerful tool, it has some limitations. The limitations of VR include the technological capabilities, the accessibility of VR to the public and the possible side effects.
Technology Limitations
VR is a relatively new technology that has seen significant advancements. Yet, VR still needs to make more progress before it can be used for all its possible uses and applications.
Currently, VR presentation and technology are not standardized. Developers may use their specifications for interfaces and features, and apps are difficult to transfer between devices. Currently, the only commonality is with games developed for use across multiple VR platforms. Due to the lack of standardization, diagnosing bugs or receiving adequate support is difficult. With time, VR technology will become easier and more transferable between devices. There are efforts underway to standardize VR. However, these are still new and in their infancy.
The hardware and software required for professional VR Development are also important. Most VR software is large and consumes a high amount of power. The VR headsets are also heavy, leading to physical stress and headaches, particularly around the shoulders and neck. VR headsets can also cause physical strain on the user, causing headaches and pain, particularly around the neck and shoulders.
Cybersickness
VR motion sickness, or "cybersickness," is a major issue with VR. Users who use VR devices may experience symptoms similar to motion sickness (e.g., nausea, dizziness and lightheadedness). Several theories explain the phenomenon, although it is still unknown why this happens. This is the most probable theory, called the "sensory-conflict theory." It states that there's a mismatch in the amount of motion the user sees and their lack of movement.
It occurs when the vestibular and visual systems of the person are not in sync. The vestibular system gives the brain information on motion, spatial orientation, and head positioning. The "ecological hypothesis" is another explanation of cyber sickness. It states that postural instabilities occur when people cannot perceive or respond to new dynamic situations.
Certain technical issues can also cause cybersickness. This includes noticeable lags, position-tracking issues (better head-tracking reduces symptoms), and flickering in the display.
The most common VR-related symptom is cybersickness. If users experience this discomfort, it can be a major hindrance in developing VR apps.
Accessibility
VR is evolving and becoming more affordable, particularly compared with its early stages. VR headsets are still more expensive than many people can afford, but they now cost the same as most consoles. The VR-ready computer tends to be more costly than other computers. This makes this VR headset expensive and beyond the reach of most. Cost is one of the biggest barriers to VR adoption for regular consumers.
As a subfield of VR, there are augmented and mixed reality. These less immersive virtual experiences allow users to still interact with the real world using a virtual overlay. AR and XR apps are easier to use because they are designed for mobile devices. Most people have one or can access it. AR applications such as Pokemon Go are a good example. They combine phone use with physical exploration in the real world to find "Pokemon."
These Pokémon can only be seen via the phones. Users can track distances based on their steps and connect fitness applications to the game to gain more rewards for crossing large distances. Gamifying walking can motivate people to become more active. These types of smartphone applications and games can provide a cheaper VR entry for those interested but lacking the money to purchase an immersive headset or computer setup.
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Conclusions
The literature review shows how virtual reality can be used in many fields and applications. Applications are found in many fields, including engineering, education and medicine. VR is a technology that has gained popularity. This will allow for more VR applications to be developed in the future. It is hoped that more technological advancements will remove current issues and limitations, allowing VR to be more accessible and realistic.
VR is a relatively new technology, and it's still in the early stages. However, more people have become interested, with a positive outlook, about what VR could do for their daily lives. Experts from various fields are developing more applications, allowing for more specific development and application. VR is poised to be the next technological revolution that becomes commonplace for most families, given how quickly modern society has adopted smartphones and personal computers.
