Artist's impression of Bob's early VR by Green Hat Animation. GUPPI and Spike can be seen, in addition to the beginnings of Bob's library.
Virtual Reality, or VR, is a simulated version of reality that gives the user the impression that they are immersed in a real environment.
VR is perhaps the main factor that saves Bob from the psychotic breaks that claimed three of his fellow FAITH replicants in project HEAVEN, as well as the replicant Henry Roberts. By building a simulated reality environment, Bob feels grounded and stays in touch with his humanity.
"My first attempt was primitive, and honestly, a little embarrassing. I had a basic room, blue walls, no windows, and a hard, nondescript floor. I floated in the middle of it like a ghost. Definitely needed work." (70)
Every Bob creates their own VR environment. The standard Bob VR is a library/living room. Some Bobs work to improve elements of their VR — to perfect the realism of the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes — and share the results via Bobnet.
As the Bobiverse changes in Heaven’s River, the term “VR” evolves into VIRT, which the Bobs use to contrast with Real (as in Real Life).