The Recent Uses Of Vr And Ar During The Pandemic
The use of AR and VR – two developing digital tools that place images in the Augmented Reality (AR) or bring the user into a Virtual Reality (VR) experience - initially appeared to the public in the form of the renowned Pokémon GO mobile game, Snapchat lenses, gaming headsets, and more. However, AR and VR also have many practical uses. With their ability to provide real-time data and simulations that match real-life experiences, AR and VR have great potential to transform public services and citizen interactions, especially in the yet-ending COVID-19 pandemic. The followings are some of the most interesting uses of VR and AR during both pandemic and normal times.
- Emergency Management
- Police
- Digital Services
- Mental Health Services
- Education
During a pandemic or any emergency situation, AR can increase citizens' knowledge of the surrounding environment as the first step for their safety. They can plot their location on an interactive map that is shared with them which will then show the routes to avoid and take. AR can identify certain red zones that indicate danger.
Equipped with an AR system that provides relevant details about the environment, officers will be better prepared to enter dangerous situations and zones. For example, when they are about to approach the house due to the sound of gunfire, officers can access data such as 3D models of buildings, history of previous criminality, or reports of previous emergency conditions.
Online form filling is increasingly prevalent during a pandemic. With AR and VR, they will get an interactive experience with additional guidance for users of the application. Implementing this kind of technology will reduce errors, ensure they get service faster, and reduce direct interaction between citizens.
Several recent studies have shown that AR and VR have great potential to treat mental health problems such as anxiety and PTSD and allow patients to try to face their fears as a therapeutic measure. And, VR simulation can also give better equipment to social workers, thereby improving the services in mental health care centres.
Augmented reality and virtual reality have the potential to be used by more students in the classroom, both online and offline, thus creating a more engaging classroom experience. During the pandemic, online classes will be much more complete and richer than traditional ones. The learning process will be more immersive by using AR and VR, allowing students to explore new parts of the world. In the end, education will be more inclusive and attractive.
