Mobile virtual reality system for simulation, training or demonstration of a surgical robotic system can include a virtual reality processor. The processor can generate a virtual surgical robot and render the virtual surgical robot on a display. The virtual surgical robot can include a virtual surgical tool. A handheld user input device (UID) can sense a hand input from a hand. A foot input device can sense a foot input from a foot. The virtual reality processor can be configured to control a movement or action of the virtual surgical robot based on the hand input, and change which of the virtual surgical instruments is controlled by the one or more handheld UIDs based on the foot input. Other embodiments and aspects are disclosed and claimed.