What is Virtual Reality?

When we hear the word virtual reality, the first things that comes to our mind is the science fiction movies or some Matrix (movie) visuals. But the truth is now a day virtual reality is a part of our daily life in some or the other form. Though the use of it might be minimal now this is expected to grow as things evolve.

What is Virtual Reality?

The use of computer modeling and simulation to enable a person to interact with artificial three-dimensional (3-D) visuals or other sensory environments is known as virtual reality.

VR applications immerse the user in a computer-generated environment that simulates reality through the use of interactive devices like goggles, headsets, gloves, and bodysuits. In a typical VR setup, users wear a physical screen and can view animated images of simulated environments. For example, medical training, games, etc., which are explored without borders and boundaries in 360 degrees. 

Current standard virtual reality systems use virtual reality headsets or multi-projected environments to provide lifelike visuals, sounds, and other sensations that mimic a user’s physical presence in a virtual world. While using virtual reality technology, a user can see around the virtual world, move around in it, and interact with virtual features or objects. The illusion of “being there” (telepresence) is created by motion sensors, which detect the user’s movements and adjust the view on the screen in real-time (the instant the user’s movement occurs). As a result, a user can walk through a simulated room, encountering changing viewpoints and perspectives that are convincingly related to his own head movements and steps. The user can even pick up and change the objects in the virtual environment with the use of data gloves that are enabled by force-feedback devices that provide the sensation of touch.

The impressions are created by specially designed rooms with numerous large screens, but it is most commonly created by Virtual Reality headsets with a head-mounted display and a small screen in front of the eyes. Virtual reality typically includes audio and visual feedback, but haptic technology may allow for additional sensory and force feedback.

Augmented reality is a type of virtual reality technology that combines what the user sees in real life with the digital content created by the computer system.

Mixed reality is the fusion of the physical and virtual worlds in order to create new environments and visualizations in which physical and digital objects coexist and interact in real-time.

Fact about virtual reality:

VR was not invented by a single person. Virtual reality enthusiasts are unable to identify a single person who is responsible for the development of VR. Instead, many people contributed to the technology. Morton Heilig, Jaron Lanier, Douglas Engelbart, Ivan Sutherland, and Myron Krueger are at least five people who can lay claim to the title.

Benefits of virtual reality

• Virtual reality enables users to fully immerse themselves in a simulated, interactive, and custom-designed environment, making it feel more real and lifelike.
• It is intended for human interaction or to create experiences for a specific purpose. Virtual reality can be used for training and education in fields like medicine, architecture, engineering, and many more.
• Unlike other reality technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and augmented reality (MR), VR takes the user experience to the next level with its fully immersive and interactive technology.
• Immersive and interactive entertainment experiences, such as games and movies, can be created using virtual reality.
• In fields such as architecture and product design, virtual reality can enable remote collaboration and communication.
• Virtual reality can be used for research in fields such as psychology and social science, allowing researchers to create controlled experiments and collect data in a virtual environment.

Disadvantages of virtual reality

• VR equipment like gloves, headsets, etc is very expensive thus making them less accessible to many people.
• Some VR experiences can cause physical discomfort and motion sickness as the user needs to wear the equipment which can cause dizziness and nausea.
• Using VR devices for a long time can affect vision.
• The use of VR should be avoided by the elderly, people with issues with vision, and other health issues since it might affect vision and balance.

Applications of virtual reality

• Virtual reality creates opportunities to conduct activities virtually, such as virtual excursions or field trips for education.
• Virtual reality facilitates the analysis and research of medical terms by avoiding direct contact with hazardous substances and risk factors.
• In entertainment, VR allows everyone to have a real-time experience with fictional characters or sci-fi movies, animations, and motions.
•  By creating virtual designs with VR, prototyping assists the automotive industry in avoiding multiple designs and reducing resources.
• In terms of defense, VR allows our brave men to experience battlefield environments in real time, allowing them to avoid unavoidable situations in reality.
• The application of VR can be used in employee training. Although a headset is currently needed for this, it can also be completed on-site or at home. The ability to put a worker in another person’s shoes, whether it’s a customer or a coworker, provides a special experience that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. This will become a useful tool in all business training as technology advances, even in scenarios requiring difficult choices.

Future of Virtual reality

• Creating Virtual Reality headsets that can support up to 8K resolution and much faster processors with integration to artificial intelligence.
• Incorporating artificial intelligence in virtual reality can help in a more advanced user experience. This will need a lot of skills and expertise.
• 5G can also provide intriguing scenarios for the evolution of virtual reality.
• Shopping in 3D virtual reality.
• Improved geolocation system via indoor mapping.

Frequently asked questions: Virtual reality

Q. What are some of the popular VR products?

Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro, PlayStation VR2, and PlayStation VR are some of the best VR products available.

Q. Is The Matrix a virtual reality movie?

Yes, the Matrix series is based on virtual reality. Ready Player One is also one of the movies based on virtual reality.

Q. Are virtual reality products costly?

Yes, as of now VR products are on the costlier side.

Conclusion

So VR nowadays is not a sci-fi thing it is more likely being used in numerous fields. Though VR comes with some challenges it is still engaging in various other aspects. The challenges might be mitigated in near future.