Many of us are familiar with the virtual reality headsets, often used for gaming. However, VR’s potential extends far beyond entertainment. As the industry explores its capacity, VR is proving to be a game-changer across multiple different fields. The innovative ways it can be used are cost-saving and efficient. The market was valued at 25.11 billion in 2023 and has grown to 32.64 billion and is even projected to grow to 244.84 billion by 2032, highlighting the immense growing potential it has. Let’s take a closer look at some of its uses beyond gaming.

 

VR In The Courtroom

 

VR has multiple possible uses relating to the courtroom. For example, in many law schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, moot court sessions were conducted in VR. These simulations of a court session are typically held in rooms made to look like courtrooms. This was not possible during the pandemic causing VR technology to be introduced to many schools. However, even as schools began to come back in person many schools stuck with the VR technology. After all, as a student from the University of Ottowa claims, This has been about six months in the making and includes everything you can imagine from customizing a courtroom to dealing with developers and programmers, to acquiring the hardware, doing training, and getting students excited. The metaverse is here to stay so, from an educational perspective and a judicial perspective, there’s a lot of merit to using it.” 

 

VR In Medicine

 

In healthcare, VR has numerous applications. There are many benefits for both patients and providers. One way virtual reality can be used is to provide effective mental health care. VR can be used to simulate situations that are hard to recreate. For example, in exposure therapy, it can be used to expose an acrophobia patient to extreme heights within a safe environment, or to gently expose a patient with anxiety to a simulated large crowd of people. And other than in mental health care, VR has proven to also help reduce pain. VR can also be used to help educate patients and help enhance medical training. 

 

In conclusion, the uses of virtual reality extend far beyond gaming and it can impact different fields with its innovative applications. From legal affairs to healthcare, VR is transforming the way we interact with the world and it can enhance our livelihoods in different ways. Its potential is truly limitless as we see a future where immersive technology can impact our lives.