Virtual reality (VR) is an artificial, computer-generated environment or world accessible to businesses and consumers in a seemingly real world way. It includes interactive simulations using highly sophisticated computer equipment. For example, surgeons can practice different operations in virtual reality and pilots can practise their craft in simulated adverse weather conditions using VR technologies. VR is also a rapidly emerging technology that is transforming the way students learn in schools, including physical education. For example, students can experience various sport in a safe and controlled virtual environment, without the costs, risks, and physical requirements associated with the sport in the real-world. This is particularly beneficial for students who are unable to participate in physical sports due to injury or other physical limitations.

Virtual reality provides workers with the practice they need, albeit in a computer-generated world, so they become familiar with different scenarios they are likely to face in the real world. Replicating these situations in VR helps employees to know what to do in reality should these circumstances arise. Employees are also able to react in a safer way than if they were experiencing the situation for the first time in real life.

Applications of VR are wide and growing. Some common applications (all of which have business opportunities) include:

 Advantages of virtual reality in the workplace

• VR helps to reduce wastage and accidents in the workplace. It creates a safer working environment for employees to train and develop their skills to perform better at their jobs. For example, VR can be used to recreate any scenario, such as falling objects in the workplace or other unsafe situations. This helps the employees be more prepared in the event such scenarios arise in reality, rather than experiencing for the first time without knowing how to react.

• VR is highly flexible and can be used for a very broad range of training purposes. For example, hotels can use VR for a range of routine and complex hotel operations, such as procedures and processes to check in guests, cleaning a guest room,  providing room service, and handling a wide range of guest enquiries.
• Training in VR enables employees to be 100% focused on the task at hand. In the real world, training is often disrupted with other interactions and distractions in the workplace. This makes training more efficient and cost-effective.

• Hence, virtual training can help to keep costs down without yet still give workers the near-reality experience they need to develop their talents.

 Disadvantages of virtual reality in the workplace

• The accelerating pace of VR means that it can be challenging for a business to keep up with technological advances. Equipment can also become obsolete quite quickly.

• Linked to this, investing in the latest VR hardware and software means the cost can be expensive. At the same time, there is no guarantee that the investment will be successful or whether customers have a desire and willingness to adopt VR technologies.

• Research has shown that some employees suffer from motion sickness when putting on VR headsets. This limits the effectiveness and potentially wide-reaching applications of VR for the organization.

 Watch this short video which outlines how Johnson & Johnson uses virtual reality to support its training programmes for healthcare professionals at the company in a much more efficient way.

 Another example of a business using VR for training purposes is the Hilton Hotels & Resorts group. Watch this short video clip to see how Hilton uses virtual reality training scenarios to help teams understand the complexities of working in a hotel so that they can build empathy for hotel guests and colleagues alike.