(Newswire.net — May 2, 2018) — Virtual Reality (VR) is an advent of technology and science in which there is a simulation that entirely substitutes for real life experiences. Though there is a substitution, experiences are quite similar. Sometimes all of the senses are involved in the simulation and other times four out of the five senses are involved. This is accomplished through a well-designed Head Mounted Display (HMD) and complementary accessories which allows the user to interact in the simulated environment. The Head Mounted Display which could also be addressed as the headset prevents forms of interference from the real world.
Virtual reality was seen in the world as far back as 1980’s. The 3D movie viewing, attributed to Morton Heilig, was the first attempt at Virtual reality. Obviously, a lot of advancement has taken place to get 3D viewing to what it is today. Jaron Lainer coined the word virtual reality in 1987 after rigorous research into the subject.
Overwhelming technological advancement is the fate of the era 2018. Central to this era is the skyrocketing effect that the best virtual reality video games pose. According to Statista, between the year 2014 and now, 2018, there has been a three-thousand percent increase in the active use of virtual reality. Statistics also depicts that the shipping of headsets in the third quarter of 2017 which was over a million will rapidly increase in the year 2018.
How Virtual Reality Has Improved Various Domains
The acceptance of virtual reality technology has been depicted in different domains. There is an increase in the demand for virtual reality considering what it can offer. Virtual reality has evolved since its use in Aviation training, to what many conceive as the most evident or well-known feature – Virtual Reality Gaming. It has also been used to enhance training in the fields of Medicine, Psychology, Physiotherapy, the Education sector and Sports.
In Aviation training, Pilots cannot afford to make mistakes in the air and as a means of managing cost and damage, simulation of pilots flying planes and maintaining their courses as well as dogfighting are tasks accomplished by use of virtual reality technology. How they will also handle engine failure or turbulence is also tested via VR.
The Military also adopted such virtual reality technology to facilitate training and performance of military personnel. Simulations are set up to test reaction time, team work and gun handling in the field. This is also a cheap way of training as real-life damage and cost will be minimized greatly.
The influence of virtual reality is not left out of the educational sector as teachers often use the technology to simulate learning in terms of practicum, visitation to tourism centers and exploration of geographical areas. The study of the Solar System, World Landmarks and Seven Wonders of the World has also been facilitated by VR. Students can remain in the school environment and still acquire adequate and accurate knowledge about another without having to travel in person.
Virtual reality gaming has also contributed to the world of psychology. When it comes to treating trauma, anxiety, phobia and depression, events can be re-created and client’s responses monitored and assessed. Treatment can then occur through exposure therapy and clients can gradually overcome various psychological challenges.
In the training of medical students, virtual reality has been of immense help. Trainees can perform surgeries confidently without operating on real bodies. It gives them an opportunity to make a mistake and correct it unlike what the real world holds, an error may translate to loss of life.
Virtual Reality Gaming possesses the greatest acceptance of VR tech. Virtual reality gaming uses biosensing technique and it is in a 3D format where the player interacts with the environment. In the use of this technique, little sensors are attached to the various accessories of the virtual reality game which help to detect movement and reports positioning to a computer. The virtual reality headset also possesses an accelerometer that tracks movement as well as lenses that help the eyes focus on stereoscopic images. Depending on the game, accessories may vary for example, if it is a driving game, data gloves are needed to simulate the driver holding the steering while other games require full body suits.
Cons Of Virtual Reality Gaming
The gaming system demands a huge concentration of the eyes and intense stimulation of the brain. VR could be addictive as real-world cravings that cannot be satisfied are satisfied through VR. Some of the downsides of this technology could include: headaches, nauseas, and increased blood pressure to the eye. The eye is the most involved organ with VR, experts warn that use can result in myopia. Also, someone needs to be on guard while a person is using the VR games as accidents could happen because users are unaware of the immediate environment especially if the VR device is not stationary.
Virtual Reality Compatibility
Google Cardboard, HTC Vive, Oculus rift, Samsung Gear VR and Sony Morpheous are popular examples of VR tech. The Google cardboard was developed by google engineers. It has a compartment where smart phones can slide through and it has a lens for viewing applications compatible with the smart phone. It was developed for economic purposes hence its low cost compared to its counterparts. The HTC Vive has a head mount and is populated by little sensors on it, these sensors are purported to track movements and the tracking used is room scale technology. In the use of room scale technology, the user is free to move around a safe space. This is as opposed to other forms of virtual reality such as virtual reality room, seated or standing virtual reality which compels the users to be stationary. Oculus rift is popularly accredited as the pioneer of VR. It was possessed by Facebook. It has a Headset and it requires a computer to function to maximum capacity. The Oculus rift has integrated headphones to create a 3D audio effect and possesses an OLED panel for each eye and low persistence global refresh rate that disallows motion blurring, which is an issue that regular monitors encounter. Both Oculus rift and HTC vive have similar headsets that is, they have a gyroscope and a screen built in as opposed to Samsung Gear VR and Google cardboard type that you plug your smart phone into that becomes the screen.