Virtual Reality (VR) is no longer a new technology as it has been around for quite a long time now and is on the verge of exploding due to increasing demand for VR mobile apps and services from enterprises. This technology is changing the way people communicate, shop, study or do business via mobile apps. VR app development company is developing the best quality VR based mobile apps to provide VR technology exposure to the maximum number of people so that businesses of many industries including real estate, manufacturing, healthcare, education, fashion, aerospace, and entertainment can benefit from it. By using an effective app requirement document, they can develop innovative VR mobile apps can be further enhanced using the capabilities of latest smart devices.

What is VR?

VR takes you to a completely computer-generated immersive virtual world, altogether different from reality that simulates the experiences through senses and perception. The user can interact with and explore the three-dimensional environment generated and can even manipulate the objects present or perform a series of actions.

Why is VR needed?

VR brings the sci-fi experiences seen in movies to reality and provides the users and businesses with excellent benefits. Some of the major benefits are:

• Amazing experience for customers: Customers in any part of the world can now enjoy the incredible experience provided by VR-based applications related to any industry such as e-commerce, real estate, tourism, and hotels. This allows the users to enjoy an enhanced virtual experience of the product or service before finalising the deal.
• Enhanced business productivity: Businesses can use VR mobile apps to make business conferences and meetings more productive. They are also transforming the way teleconferences are being conducted to make significant savings in business travel.
• Smooth app operations: For developing mobile apps for VR devices, VR app development is chosen, and smooth operations are ensured for successful VR app development. For this, persistent bugs need to be avoided by mobile app developers, and they need to focus less on creating super effects. The arrangement of scenes on the screen not only establishes a great picture but also enables stable performance to provide smooth app operation.
• Boosted learning experience: VR apps offer developers and users with interactive learning experiences due to enhanced interactivity and create a viable opportunity for growth in mobile app development. The learning experiences have been made more enjoyable for developers and users alike by many app development companies using VR apps.
• Steady and competent tracking: VR mobile apps use several sensors to gain relevant information regarding the position of a smartphone, such as gyroscopes and accelerometers. The basic purpose is to track the positions of the heads and accordingly change the images on the screens of smartphones by calculating general-position vectors based on the data.

How does VR work?

VR works using several devices such as a headset; a smartphone, computer, or any other machine that creates a digital environment; and a device to track motion in some cases. A headset displays the content before the eyes of the user by transferring images to the screen from a computer using a cable (HDMI). Alternatively, headsets that work with smartphones, like GearVR, Google Cardboard, and Google Daydream can be used, where the phone acts as a source of both VR content and display. Lenses are used to convert flat images to three-dimensional and adjust based on individual positioning and eye movements. The frame rate per second (fps) needs to be at a minimum of 60 for the virtual simulations to appear realistic, along with a competent refresh rate, and field of view (FOV) that is minimum 100 degrees and ideally 180 degrees. The user can interact using different options like head tracking, eye tracking, or motion tracking.

What are the challenges faced by VR?

Though the VR technology has advanced greatly, it still has to overcome many challenges. The major ones are:

• Unreal expectations of the people due to their perceptions: Hollywood blockbusters like Iron Man, The Matrix, etc. have set sky-high expectations of the people with regards to VR. This leaves people dissatisfied with the existing experience as their perception of VR is not met.
• Limitation of VR hardware: A number of usability issues exist with VR hardware. For example, the VR headsets are often quite heavy for young kids or prolonged use.
• High-cost factor: The cost of all equipment and software used for VR app development is very high. The cost of tower PC, all sensors, head-mounted display [HMD], all need significant investment, without any security of ROI.
• Non-scalability of content: You can design 3D environments with enough funding and resources but once a vision is created, it cannot be reused, so you need to start from the beginning and need more funding.
• Social interactivity hampered: Social interactions are shut down due to the increased immersion in VR. People get so engrossed in the virtual world that communication and collaboration with those around you are shut down.
• Need for cybersecurity: Just like any other connected technology VR needs to be protected against cybersecurity issues. Though at present little attention is being given to cybersecurity, however, due attention needs to be given to this aspect.

Which industries are benefiting from VR?

Many industries are already making use of VR in the form of mobile apps and benefitting greatly from it. Here are a few of these:

• Retail: Users can get a deeper understanding of the new products by interacting with the item on VR using VR simulations. Businesses can also interact with virtual customers to ascertain their needs and find suitable products for them. This improves their sales and negotiation skills.
• Real estate: VR tours in 3D are being organised by builders for their prospective clients to provide them with the feel of the interior and exterior of the property in their projects, without actually visiting the location. This helps close deals faster.
• Manufacturing: Injuries can be avoided, and trainees can be trained to use certain machines to improve the overall manufacturing quality using VR.
• Automotive industry: Many automobile brands like Audi, Ford, and Volvo, are creating a 3D experience for their clients using VR where the clients can customise and check out their preferences on different care models before visiting the stand to see the actual vehicle.
• Travel industry: Users can travel the world in 3D using VR apps like the Ascape virtual reality app on mobile and the headset.
• Education: Students can go on field trips, while in the classroom itself and easily remember knowledge gained through experience.
• Healthcare: Medical students can learn, and practitioners and surgeons can gain experience and skill by exploring different avenues using realistic tutorials in 3D.

Summing up

Breath-taking marketing and educational content can be produced, and countless opportunities can be presented to brands using VR technology. Not only does VR help businesses to win customers but also establishes them as the leader in innovation, thereby ruling the market. So, mobile app development companies need to integrate VR in their development process to advance with this developing world.