Is virtual reality (VR) safe?

It seems fair to question the safety of virtual reality as VR has recently been gaining traction in the safety training space. Through a fully immersive experience, users are engaging in a three-dimensional environment using VR headsets. The technology has existed for years now, and it’s been already 10 years that Facebook (now known as Meta) has heavily invested in the technology through the acquisition of Oculus.

Over the years the tech (and experience) has improved leaps and bounds but despite that, one of the main concerns that has arisen from wearing the headset is that people may experience nausea or disorientation; or be putting themselves in harm’s way.

And with the popularity of the technology increasing, the question “is VR dangerous?” is indeed a concern we should address.

So is VR safe?
Simply put, it can and should be.
But let’s dive right in.

Addressing reports of dizziness and nausea

It has been reported that in some cases, the use of VR headsets can lead to dizziness, nausea, and disorientation, which can be uncomfortable or even harmful to individuals with pre-existing medical conditions.

→ But here's a thing: your experience depends fully on how well the VR experience is built as well (and most importantly) the quality of the graphics. If your experience is tainted by nausea or dizziness, it may mean that it just wasn't developed properly.

And what about physical injuries, you may ask?

There have also been reports of injuries caused by VR equipment malfunction or a lack of awareness of the user’s surroundings.

However, when the necessary precautions are taken, the risks are significantly reduced.

And VR goggles have come a long way and are constantly updated to be less heavy, less cumbersome, and better suited to wear for an extensive period of time.

And this is where Pixaera’s experience and approach come in.

Pixaera’s very premise is what makes their VR experience one of the best and safest in the space: we come in with a game design background.

Realizing how “the gaming world is disconnected from the enterprise world”, Pixaera’s founder and CEO Mousa Yassin saw an opportunity to bring the best in gaming to the safety training space, and doing so whilst alleviating all the discomfort and shortcomings of VR training to date.

“I deeply believe that gaming in the long term, especially with the technologies of VR is going to transform the way people get access to very high quality learning content” Yassin says.

This is how Pixaera addresses one of those safety concerns: coming into the VR training space from a AAA gaming perspective, we aim to produce very high quality and realistic content, both on an overall experience standpoint but also in terms of the quality of the graphics.

It is our unique story and approach that make all the difference; we are working with the best game developers so that every module is a fully immersive quality experience.

And the more real it becomes, the less pushback you get from your brain.

And as for the physical harm from being unaware of your surroundings in real life, all Pixaera’s experiences have purposefully been designed to be stationary to ensure maximum safety.

So you want to use VR training platforms? Here are a few helpful tips to ensure VR safety:

1. Make User Comfort a priority - One of the most important steps to ensure VR safety is to make sure users are comfortable throughout the VR experience: check that the equipment fits properly and is adjusted accordingly, provide ample ventilation, and encourage regular breaks. This can prevent discomfort and dizziness.
   
   

2. Establish a Safe Environment - To avoid accidents and injuries, set up your VR experience in a safe environment free from obstacles and crowded spaces. The more room you have to move around, the less risk you will have of running into walls or tripping over objects in the room. Ideally, favor a stationary setting.
   
   

3. Read Instructions Carefully - just like you wouldn’t dare to build furniture from IKEA without following the instructions, It's important to read the instructions carefully before using any VR equipment. The instructions provided by the manufacturer should always be followed to ensure safe use of the equipment.
   
   

4. Make sure your VR training provider is capable of producing high quality graphics and design - this will ensure you create the best experience for your team to learn whilst alleviating the discomfort arising from lower quality graphics and user interface.

▹ Virtual Reality is a promising and exciting technology
that can enhance the way we engage with learning. ◁

However, like any digital entertainment, necessary precautions must be taken to ensure VR safety. It’s not that VR is dangerous but it does require some basic safety measures; prioritizing user comfort, setting up a safe environment, and following instructions carefully are key to ensuring virtual reality is safe to use.

Once we have established that perfect environment, then the true power of VR training can shine.

At Pixaera, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality VR simulation with rigorous safety features to keep our users safe. By following our tips on VR safety, you can experience virtual reality at its best, without any worry.

We provide in-depth instructions and on-boarding experience on how to use the equipment safely, tailored to your needs; and our team is always available to answer any questions you may have.

Pixaera’s goal is to empower people through play. We are on a mission to transform the way we learn, using the power of games; and to inspire change in the world of professional development and safety training.