The overall future of technology is promising and is There are constant advancements being made in virtual reality technology; it can be used for entertainment, medical reasons and even education purposes. This technology is rapidly growing and is being trialled in different fields of research.

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The main use of virtual reality currently is for entertainment. For example, devices such as the HTC Vive and PlayStation virtual reality headsets are available for purchase by consumers who want to immerse themselves in a video game from the comfort of their own home. However, what might this look like in the future? The main aim for virtual reality is total immersion, this means that [1] “we can feel and sense them – indistinguishable from real life”. Users of virtual reality will be able to experience different senses in a virtual environment that are designed to be like an alternate reality; one where they can use their senses just as much as they can in the physical world.

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The main use of virtual reality currently is for entertainment. For example, devices such as the HTC Vive and PlayStation virtual reality headsets are available for purchase by consumers who want to immerse themselves in a video game from the comfort of their own home. However, what might this look like in the future? The main aim for virtual reality is total immersion, this means that [1] “we can feel and sense them – indistinguishable from real life”. Users of virtual reality will be able to experience different senses in a virtual environment that are designed to be like an alternate reality; one where they can use their senses just as much as they can in the physical world.

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[4] Neurable is working on a sci-fi game known as Awakening where the player must use their minds to complete the game, this is achieved by a brain-scanning headband that attaches to the virtual reality headset, and [5] “that headband, paired with the software that interprets neural signals, enables users to play games without using any sort of hand controller”.  Not only does this show the future of entertainment technologies, but this also shows the overall future for virtual reality technologies. The fact that companies are attempting to replicate thoughts or brain activity in a simulated environment means that it can be used for other important matters, such as being used in army simulated exercises as the soldiers will be able to experience a certain situation in a virtual environment and can thus train themselves without having to be in the field.

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Despite entertainment purposes, another main use for virtual reality technology in the future will be medicine. The many advancements being made with virtual reality will open many possibilities for the future of medicine technology. For example, the area where this technology is strongest is surgical simulations. The types of simulations include [7] ‘needle-based’ procedures, haptic input devices also provide the sense of touch for these procedures. In the future, there will be [7] “patient-specific models derived from computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans that will permit a surgeon to practice a delicate surgical procedure on the patient's specific virtual anatomy before actually performing the procedure on the patient”. This means that surgeons can train themselves in a simulation on how to correctly perform each procedure for each illness without attempting a procedure knowing only treatments they have read in books. This means that they can gain practice and experience before operating on a patient.

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As we can see, virtual reality technology is progressing in many ways, with breakthroughs being made in entertainment systems and medical research. In many years to come, we could see video games being played without the requirement of a home console. Full immersion technology could become available to market consumers where they can play their favourite games whilst experiencing all five senses and thus effectively playing in an alternate reality. Furthermore, with the medical breakthroughs, we could see virtual reality becoming the standard in doctor’s training so that they can gain experience for procedures or treatments without having to experience the real-life scenario. Overall, the future for virtual reality technology opens a realm of possibilities and it will be exciting to see where it leads.

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