Put simply, virtual reality is a computer generated representation of real life. Depending on what the goal of the presentation is, it does not necessarily have to be a representation of something real, but for real estate that is an advantage. Imagine being able to show a client a structure that has yet to be built as if it were already standing on the plot ready for sale. Not only is it possible to create a presentation for the client, based on the architects view of the project, but it is also possible to give the client the option of changing his or hers environment, allowing them to be an integral part of the creative process. This technology has the opportunity to revolutionize the creative process as we know it.
Companies like Valve, HTC, and Oculus have each created their own virtual reality devices that took the same form, that of a headset. These headsets each have a way of connecting to an electronic device, a computer or a smartphone for example, which feeds images into the headset. Inside the headset are a pair of lenses that transform the two-dimensional images being fed from the device that you are using into the headset into three-dimensional ones. This allows an architect to create a model in a computer program and present it to and interested party in a way that is much more informative than that of a two-dimensional representation on a computer screen.
The field in which virtual reality excels in, in terms of architectural design, is interior design. One of the main reasons being the ability of the designer and the interested party to work together. An additional perk of virtual reality is the availability of resources. Imagine being able to pick from dozens, perhaps even a hundred, different wallpapers, cupboard, beds and anything else you might want in your condo, house or yacht. The designer can make all of that available to you through virtual reality, where any choice is only one click or shuffle away. Additionally, if you visit the office of the designer in question, you could even walk through the corridors of your new real-estate and see how well everything fits together in three dimensions.
Even though the main focus of this post was pointing out the applicability in real-estate and architecture, virtual reality can be applied to many different fields of occupation. Some of the examples include medicine, video gaming, and physics. In medicine students and doctors could be presented with a model of the human body that surpasses any image in a book available today, or even a computer model viewed on a screen. Video games can immerse their audiences in the worlds fully, without the hindrances of bulky hardware. Physicists could conduct experiments that would otherwise be dangerous or extremely expensive. The applicability of virtual reality is yet to be fully explored, but that is only because of the freshness of the technology and its vastness. This is definitely something to be interested in, and worth keeping a watchful eye on.