DECEMBER 2018CIOAPPLICATIONS.COM 19workers how to install HVAC and solar energy systems using simulations. Obtaining VR/AR equipment may have costs associated, but it's nothing compared to the wear and tear and damage new trainees can put on actual equipment.It's interesting to note that VR/AR is often lumped in as one of the technologies that could eliminate jobs. I think it's more likely it will help us evolve as a workforce. Suddenly, there's an easy and inexpensive way to get hands-on training for almost anything we want to do. In the same way England used to be a nation of ship builders, who then became coal miners, and so on, people will change and evolve, and VR/AR will help. Imagine how immersive VR/AR experiences could drive efficiencies in the recruitment and onboarding process, or how it could help you to visualizing and familiarize yourself with new environments, concepts, or scenarios without leaving your office chair. Even the aging workforce stands to reap immense benefits from immersive training on new skills to keep their toolsets honed and up to date. As with most technological change, it's important to stay up to speed or risk being left behind. From chalkboards to smart boards to VR headsets, technology's influence on education and training is ever-evolving and demands attention. In HealthSome of the most exciting applications for VR/AR are in the health field, where several innovators are finding genius ways to use these technologies to improve outcomes. Being inside an MRI machine can make people feel anxious or even panicky, especially if they suffer from claustrophobia. Beyond the emotional downsides, this is also an issue because when patients have fear responses while getting an MRI, it can affect the quality of their results. Doctors are using VR to prepare patients, especially children, for the MRI experience from the comfort of their chair, making it easier to stay calm and composed when it comes time to actually go into the MRI machine. In addition, others are experimenting with using VR to correct brain segmentation errors on MRI scans ­ solving an area in neuroimaging to further understand some neurological disorders. Dr. Skip Rizzo's team from the University of Southern California Institute of Creative Technologies are also using VR to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among military veterans via Bravemind. Bravemind immerses veterans in realistic, virtual scenarios representative of their traumatic experiences in a controlled format. Therapists can use the simulation as a tool to help the veterans work through their anxieties and responses in a safe environment. Skip's research team are also helping to train and prepare soldiers before they go into battle in order to prevent injuries, and give medical teams "practice" in setting up hospital tents and treating soldiers in a tactical environment.Other use cases include the Emerging Analytics Center (EAC) at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. EAC has launched a VR software, Anatomical Eyes, in which users can dissect a life-size cadaver using pinch gestures. In addition to Anatomical Eyes, Dr. Carolina Cruz-Neira of the EAC designed CAVE (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment) technology. The CAVE is a video theater in which the walls are made up of rear-projection screens or flat panel displays. Using 3D glasses, the person in the CAVE can get a realistic 3D experience, where objects float in the air and can be seen in 360-degree realism by walking around them.For businesses starting to get excited about VR/AR, the possibilities are endless. There's a real opportunity to identify efficiencies in all industries and map out solutions for problems before they arise. Experimenting now will help your business to stay innovative, gain experience in VR/AR technologies, push boundaries, and stay ahead of competitors. For businesses starting to get excited about VR/AR, the possibilities are endlessGary Radburn
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