In today’s slew of emerging technologies, only a few have captured public interest and attention, as well as virtual reality (VR) has. Its notoriety might be because it brings us one step closer to the worlds only found in our dreams. Who wouldn’t be fascinated by the idea of stepping into a brand-new dimension and the adventures that lie in wait?
While VR has been around for some time, it has only recently become mainstream. As such, it’s only natural for some myths about it to take hold. With the popularity of VR growing by the day, it is no longer a fad that’s going away any time soon and believing the widespread misconceptions about it will hold you back from enjoying all the exciting experiences it has in store. And so, without further ado, we’ve debunked four of the most widespread myths today about the technology of tomorrow; virtual reality.
1. Diving into VR will leave you sick to your stomach
This myth technically has a hint of truth to it. Since VR headsets concentrate most of the stimuli to the eyes and not across the entire body, the brain often takes time to adapt to this new sensation.
For instance, when walking down a flight of stairs, your feet make contact with each step. In VR, only your eyes can perceive these changes in height, which in turn causes a slight degree of disorientation. Motion sickness may also occur because there are no reference points for rotational movements.
However, advancements in VR technology — such as reduced lag and latency times, tracking, and a ‘virtual nose’ in one’s field of view — have significantly reduced this nauseating effect. Now, it’s just a matter of getting used to VR, and then you’re good to go!
2. Experiencing VR is a costly affair
In the early days, experiencing VR (which meant buying the headset and other related accessories) usually involved breaking the bank. But things have changed now with its widespread popularity and greater competition in the market. For those interested in the best VR gaming experience, many VR headset options like Oculus Quest and PlayStation VR are priced similarly to popular consoles like the Xbox or PlayStation series. As VR continues to evolve, it’s only natural for VR devices to increasingly become affordable.
3. VR is only good for gaming and entertainment
It is no doubt that gaming and entertainment are the biggest and most immediate applications for VR technology. But make no mistake, VR has many other uses. From general education to business training and even interior design, VR technology is steadily finding new and practical applications in many other fields. Through virtual reality, it’s become easier to overcome physical barriers and create better experiences for all sorts of use cases, such as training healthcare professionals and enhancing remote education.
4. VR discourages physical activity
With its close ties to the gaming industry, VR has unfortunately been included in the myth that states gaming discourages physical activity among users. However, it’s actually quite the opposite. Compared to traditional gaming via keyboard or controller, VR gaming requires players to be more active, depending on the game they are playing.
Whether you’re standing and moving around casually or doing more intense physical activities like literal exercise, the majority of VR experiences can only be enjoyed when one is up and about and not simply in their seats. For instance, applications designed for immersive fitness like Fitbit Adventures and “virtual sports” like Holoball and Holopoint are only a few of many examples that encourage users to get their blood pumping all while having fun.
Conclusion
Virtual reality has been among the most prominent technology trends in recent years. Despite the bumpy ride to get to where it is now, the rise of VR has just begun. With the quality of VR games continuing to exceed expectations and more industries adopting the technology, it’s hard not to eagerly look forward to what the future holds for virtual reality.
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