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What is virtual reality, types, applications and devices

VR stands for Virtual Reality, basically the place where we can immerse ourselves in a specially designed/simulated environment for a specific purpose.

Virtual reality creates a simulated virtual environment where people interact in simulated environments using VR glasses or other devices.

The virtual environment is useful for medical training, games, etc., which are explored without 360-degree borders and boundaries.

What is virtual reality?

  • Virtual reality enhances the user experience to a higher level through VR headsets or other VR devices such as Oculus Quest 2, Hp reverb G2, etc.
  • VR is a self-controlled environment where the user can control the simulated environment via a system.
  • Virtual reality enhances an imaginary environment using sensors, displays, and other features such as motion sensing, motion detection, etc.

Estimated reading time: 17 minutes

Types of virtual reality

VR has evolved into several different types, each with its own unique features and applications. Below are some of the most innovative types of virtual reality that have a significant impact on the present and will shape the future:

Non-immersive virtual reality

Non-immersive VR is a computer-based virtual experience where you control some characters or activities within the software. However, the environment does not interact directly with you. Aside from desktop computers, you can also locate a powerful laptop for virtual machines and work on the go. As customers increasingly value mobility, manufacturers are designing powerful systems in small packages.

For example, when you play video games like World of Warcraft, you can control the characters within the game with their movements and qualities. Technically, you interact with a virtual environment but are not the focus of the game. All actions or features interact with the characters included in them.

Fully immersive virtual reality

Unlike non-immersive virtual reality, fully immersive VR provides a realistic experience within the virtual environment. It will give you the impression that you are in that virtual environment and that everything is happening to you in real time. This is an expensive type of virtual reality that requires helmets, gloves and body connections equipped with sense detectors. These are connected to a high-powered computer. 

The virtual environment detects and projects your emotions, reactions and even the blink of an eye. You will feel like you are in the virtual world. There is an example of this where you will be equipped in a small room with the necessary hardware to be able to play a virtual shooter.

Semi-immersive virtual reality

A semi-immersive virtual reality experience combines fully immersive and non-immersive virtual reality. With a computer screen or a box/headset VR, you can walk in an independent 3D area or a virtual world. As a result, all actions in the virtual world are focused on you. Other than visual perception, you have no real physical movement. On a computer, you can navigate the virtual area using the mouse, while on mobile devices you can move with your finger and scroll.

  • Collaborative VR

Collaborative VR is a type of virtual world where people in different locations can talk to each other using 3D avatars or characters. It allows multiple users to be in the same virtual environment at the same time, talk to each other, and work together on different tasks.

  • Augmented reality

Augmented Reality (AR) refers to a technology that combines real-world environments with computer-generated content. It allows users to interact with virtual objects in a real environment.

  • Mixed reality

Mixed Reality (MR) it is a technology that creates a new environment by combining real and virtual things. It allows virtual objects to interact with the real world, creating a seamless experience.

Why we need Virtual Reality

  • Virtual reality allows users to create simulated, interactive, and specially designed environments for a specific use.
  • It is designed for human interaction or for a specific reason to create experiences.
  • Unlike other reality technologies such as AR and MR, virtual reality enhances user experience to a higher level with its fully immersive and interactive technology.

How virtual reality technology works

Virtual reality is a technique that simulates vision to create a 3D world in which the user appears to be immersed while navigating or experiencing it. The user experiencing the 3D world then controls it in full 3D. On the one hand the user creates 3D VR environments, on the other hand he experiences or explores them using suitable equipment such as VR viewers.

Some gadgets, such as controllers, allow users to control and explore material. VR technology will be used to understand photos and videos based on image position, surroundings and appearance. This includes the use of equipment such as cameras and other technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data and vision.

What technology does virtual reality use

VR technology often includes headgear and peripherals such as controllers and motion detectors. The technology is available via a web browser and is powered by proprietary downloaded apps or web-based VR. Sensory peripherals such as controllers, headsets, hand trackers, treadmills, and 3D cameras are all part of virtual reality hardware.

There are two main types of VR devices:

  • Standalone: ​​Devices with all the components needed to deliver virtual reality experiences in the headset. Oculus Mobile SDK, produced by Oculus VR for its standalone headsets, and Samsung Gear VR are two popular standalone VR platforms. (The SDK has been deprecated in favor of OpenXR, which will be available in July 2021.)
  • Tethered: Headset that connects to another device, such as a PC or video game console, to provide a virtual reality experience. SteamVR, part of Valve's Steam service, is a popular connected VR platform. To support headsets from different vendors, such as HTC, Windows Mixed Reality headset makers, and Valve, the SteamVR platform uses the OpenVR SDK.

VR accessories

Cover VR

Sweating may cause skin discomfort if you use the VR headset for a prolonged period. In these cases, the cover VR they can be a fantastic way to protect your skin when playing high-intensity games like Population One, Beat Saber or FitXR.

VR covers
VR gloves

One of the benefits of VR gloves is that they create a true tactile sensation, making the experience more immersive and realistic. While there are some VR gloves on the market, most are aimed at businesses. However, there are some that customers can use.

VR Gloves
Full body tracker

The Full Body Tracker, like the VR gloves, offers a high degree of immersion and involvement. While most full-body VR trackers are marketed as a workout tool, there are some low-cost solutions if you want to fully immerse yourself in the virtual world and experience an adrenaline rush.

Full Body Tracker
VR lenses 

They protect the headphone lens from small scratches and fingerprints, and also filter out harmful light to relieve eye strain. The lens protector is simple to install. For a secure fit, place the VR lens over each of the VR headset lenses.

Motion controller

These add-ons allow users to interact with mixed reality. Since controllers have a specific location in space, they enable fine-grained interaction with digital objects.

Omnidirectional Treadmills (ODT)

This auxiliary equipment allows users to physically move in any direction. ODTs allow users to move freely in VR environments, providing a fully immersive experience.

What software uses virtual reality

View it in 3D

Viewit3D is an augmented reality (AR) and 3D product visualization solution in one.

The main features of Viewit3D are as follows: – 3D model creation, management and customization – Publish 3D experiences anywhere – View monitoring and analysis

Unit

It is a game creation program that allows organizations to create and deploy 2D, 3D, and virtual reality (VR) apps across multiple platforms. It has a visual scripting plugin that allows administrators to design game tasks on a uniform interface.

Live tour

LiveTour is a developer of iStaging immersive virtual tours that can capture any environment in 360° VR for presentations to potential clients, guests or buyers.

Features of virtual reality

The virtual world

An imaginary space that exists separately from the real world. Of course, the medium used to construct this area is a simulation composed of visual components generated with computer graphics. Creator rules establish the relationships and interactions between these pieces.

Immersion

Users are placed in a virtual area physically separated from the real world. VR headsets do this by filling the entire field of view, while headsets achieve the same results with sounds, immersing users in another universe.

Sensory input

VR headsets track users' location within a specific environment, allowing the computer to represent changes in position. Users who move their head or body will feel like they are moving in the virtual environment. The input is as close to reality as possible; to move, users don't touch a button but move.

Interactivity

Simulated worlds must have virtual components to interact with, such as picking up and dropping objects, swinging swords to kill goblins, breaking cups, and pressing buttons on planes.

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Virtual reality applications

1. Virtual reality creates opportunities to conduct activities virtually, for example by creating virtual field trips or field trips.

2. Virtual reality has a huge influence on healthcare sector. The FDA authorized the prescription use of EaseVRx for pain relief in adults in November 2021. Cognitive behavioral therapy and other behavioral concepts such as attention shifting, interoceptive awareness, and deep relaxation are used in this system to help reduce chronic pain.

3. Advances in virtual reality in the tourism sector have allowed people to check out holidays before purchasing them in the post-Covid era. Thomas Cook debuted its 'Try Before You Fly' VR experience in 2015, where potential holidaymakers can visit shops in different locations to experience their holiday in VR before booking it. As a result, once customers tried the VR version of the 5-minute trip, there was a 190% increase in New York excursion bookings.

4. In entertainment, the real-time experience of fictional characters or science fiction films, animations and movements can be experienced by everyone using virtual reality.

5. Prototyping helps industry automotive avoid multiple projects and reduce resources by creating virtual projects using virtual reality.

6. The “metaverse” is likely to significantly alter the way we shop online. We will be able to try on items in the virtual world to see how they would look in person, thanks to virtual reality shopping experiences and body scanning technologies. This isn't just a more efficient shopping experience for customers. However, it is also more sustainable because shoppers will know if the item matches their shape and size before ordering it, reducing the environmental costs of producing and delivering fast fashion.

7. Companies like Matterport are paving the way for people to visit residences online and get a feel for the situation. around the area, saving you time wandering around places that may be smaller, darker or otherwise not what you expected. This allows you to spend your time looking at properties that you will love when you visit that location.

Examples of virtual reality

Since there are different types of virtual reality that offer different experiences, it has been used in many different fields. Here are some examples of how virtual reality is used in various fields.

  • Training and

Non-immersive virtual reality is commonly used in training programs, such as medical and aviation training, to provide students with a safe, controlled environment in which to learn to handle different situations. This type of virtual reality is also used in simulation and games, where users can interact with different characters and objects.

  • Education

When virtual reality is used in education, it creates engaging learning environments where students can explore a wide range of topics and ideas. For example, virtual reality can be used to recreate historical events, scientific ideas, and much more.

  • Fun

Virtual reality is often used ingaming industry, where people can get lost in a virtual world and interact with different objects and characters. It can also be used for cinematic experiences, offering users a new level of immersion and engagement.

  • Real estate and tourism

Semi-immersive virtual reality is used in architecture, design, real estate, tourism and other fields. For example, it can create a virtual tour of a building or city through which users can move to experience the place without being physically present.

  • Collaborative work

Collaborative virtual reality is used in various fields, such as education, gaming and training. For example, students can collaborate and learn in a virtual environment, and companies can hold virtual meetings with their team members from different locations.

Advantages and disadvantages of virtual reality

Virtual reality (VR) technology has advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, virtual reality has made it possible to achieve impossible goals that may not be possible in the real world. On the other hand, current VR systems have limited functionality compared to what is possible in the real world. Let's take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of virtual reality.

Benefits
  • Greater customer engagement

Virtual reality gives customers a realistic 3D product experience that allows them to see all the features and decide which ones are best for them. This immersive experience improves customer engagement and drives brand loyalty.

  • Better customer loyalty

Brands that offer VR-enabled technology stand out from those that engage in push marketing tactics. Virtual reality creates a lasting impression, improving customer retention rates and increasing brand reputation.

  • Simplified product designs

With virtual reality software, designers can mix and match different design elements in a virtual space to figure out which vector goes where. This helps simplify product design and reduces the time needed for prototyping.

  • Optimized return on investment (ROI).

While implementing virtual reality may take some time, it can significantly optimize every value chain. This leads to a constant flow of customers and business, resulting in increased ROI.

  • Reduced costs

In a virtual world, virtual reality can eliminate the need for expensive training methods such as hiring new employees, evaluating their performance, and holding evaluation meetings. This cost-effective approach helps companies save time and resources.

  • Remote connectivity

VR headsets can map different environments in space, allowing people to connect and work together in a virtual world. This feature is especially useful for remote teams that work together but are physically located in different parts of the world.

disadvantages
  • high cost

The cost of exploring virtual reality can be high, just as VR equipment can be expensive, making it less accessible to some people. This can be a significant disadvantage of virtual reality, particularly for small businesses and individuals.

  • Compatibility issues with advanced technology

VR equipment may not work on all devices and operating systems, which limits who can use it. Additionally, VR equipment requires powerful computers or other special hardware to operate, which can make it difficult to obtain.

  • Limited content availability

VR content is difficult to make because it takes special skills and money to produce it. This means there isn't a lot of VR content out there. This can make it difficult for VR users to find many different things to do, which is one of the biggest problems with this technology.

  • Health concerns

Some VR experiences may cause motion sickness or other physical discomfort. Long-term use of VR equipment can also damage your vision and sense of balance, which can be scary.

  • Negative effects of isolation and addiction to virtual reality

Virtual reality can be a lonely experience, especially if the person using the equipment isolates it from the real world. Using VR too much to avoid reality can lead to social isolation and other bad things.

Related Readings

Ercole Palmeri

 

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