Technology is becoming rapidly integrated into everyday life with the introduction of new devices from iPads to smart watches, but what if life itself became digital? Virtual reality is the next step towards digitizing everyday life, and some of the greatest advancements are happening right in front of our eyes.

“I see virtual reality  in the future as being able to be indistinguishable from actually being somewhere in real life,” senior Cody Bateman said. “This is definitely possible and hopefully won’t be too long before it happens.”

This new technology is commonly accepted as a three-dimensional, computer generated environment which can be explored and interacted by recognizing the user’s motions. When the user turns their head, the computer mirrors their action and turns as well, giving the impression of “virtual reality.”

“The experience of virtual reality is like nothing else,” Bateman said. “You are taking yourself almost completely out of the real world and putting yourself into situations that might be impossible for you to experience without this technology.”

With the rapid deployment of virtual reality, new uses are invented daily. For many, VR is a more immersive way to experience video games. For more professional settings, the technology serves as a training simulation, provides instructional videos, or even recreates  past events.

“With this technology, we could go much further than just games,” programming student Quinton Pierce said. “ A medical student can learn what is required for heart surgery by simulating it so that they can interact with a digital heart.”

Virtual Reality is taking the markets by storm and is currently divided into two subsections– handheld and console. Console technology includes devices such as Playstation VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. Handheld devices are supported on multiple platforms such Google, Samsung, and the Carl Zeiss VR One.

“Virtual reality will expand further in the future, beyond just gaming or pleasure,” junior Logan Maynard said. “ Soon it will begin moving into everyday leisure and even into workplaces, making communication and work simpler.”