Virtual Reality

Table of Contents

• What is Virtual Reality?
• When was VR first invented?
• Applications of Virtual Reality: –
• Types of VR: –
  • • Non-Immersive VR
    • Fully Immersive VR
    • Semi Immersive VR
    • Collaborative VR
• How will VR Technology change us?
  • • EDUCATION: –
    • GAMING: –
    • SOCIAL LIFE: –
    • Traveling: –
    • Work from Home: –

What is Virtual Reality?

VR is an imaginary world. It means feeling the imaginary (Virtual) world rather than the real ones. Virtual means “nearly” and reality means “what we experience as humans”, which leads to the concept of experience that is near-reality. It is an artificial environment that is created with software and presented to the human user in such a way that they believe it is a real environment. It allows a user to interact with the computer-generated 3D (three-dimensional) model or virtual environment. It helps people to live and communicate in a 3D environment with the help of technical devices. It is experiencing things that do not exist. Examples of virtual reality are 3D movies, games, and videos moving around you.
There is also the option for VR on YouTube.

When was VR first invented?

Virtual Reality Technology was invented in 1957 by Morton Heilig. His multimedia device called the Sensorama is considered one of the oldest VR systems. Then the term “Virtual Reality” was researched later in 1987 by researcher “Jaron Lanier”.

Applications of Virtual Reality: –

The simulation of a real environment for training and education.
The development of an imagined environment for a game or interactive story.

Types of VR: –

Non-Immersive VR

Non-Immersive virtual reality refers to a virtual experience through a computer where you can control activities within the software but the environment is not directly interacting with you. It has a widescreen computer with a surround system and comes with other accessories like headphones, joysticks, etc. It is very common in everyday lives
For example, when you play video games, you can control the characters within the game. Think about it, you’re sitting in a physical space, interacting with a virtual one.

Fully Immersive VR

This type of virtual reality comes with a very powerful computer. It ensures that you have a realistic experience within the virtual world. It made you feel like everything is happening to you in real.
It is the most expensive VR because it involves helmets, gloves, and body connectors with sense detectors. Your movements reactions and also a blink of an eye are detected within the virtual world.
One example is a Virtual Shooter Gaming zone. You will move your arms and body to run, jump, shoot, throw, etc. within the game.

Semi Immersive VR

A Semi Immersive Virtual Reality is a mixture of non-immersive and fully immersive VR. It can be in the form of a virtual environment or 3D where you can move through a computer screen or headset. You have no real physical movements but you have a visual experience.
On a computer, you can use the mouse to move and on a mobile phone, you can touch or swipe to move about the place.

Collaborative VR

Collaborative Virtual Reality is in the form of games and also, and they are not fully immersive. Different people come from different locations can come into contact within a virtual environment. One can share their experience with other people in the virtual world. It is usually in the form of 3D or projected characters.
For example, PUBG (Players Unknown Battle Ground) is a Video Game where lots of unknown players come into existence and play the game. They can interact with each other through microphones, chatting, and headsets.

How will VR Technology change us?

As you know, Technology has improved a lot over the past 20 years. Lots of new technologies have come in that years. And, in those new technologies, one technology is Virtual Reality which affects our daily lives. It attracts lots of people, especially children or adults. Children or adults are attracted to new technologies.
Today VR has come a long way like you can upload your photo in animated design or you can scan anything and decorate it as your wish. It’s not all about this only, VR will affect our future in many ways: –

EDUCATION: –

There are lots of Virtual Reality technologies that affected our education system. People are looking for ways to make education more easily, more effective, and more quickly.
Students go to school and learn everything from teachers earlier in the 90s and teachers gave too much information in a very short period of time. Then there are many technologies installed in schools like computers and students love learning new technologies and new things. Then in the year 2020, When the lockdown/pandemic happened in India then millions of students were forced to study online through different apps and websites. In starting of the pandemic, it was very difficult for people to understand this technology but later they started to enjoy it. Now they can explore the topics and see how things are put together. Students can learn about a subject by living it.
In the era of technologies, books are being turned into eBooks and with just a few clicks, you can find many answers to each question. Virtual Reality makes it easy to understand and takes less time. Students would be able to explore things and train themselves to do the experiments. They can experience going to the moon and other space objects through virtual reality technology. The medical and arts also get benefits from virtual reality technology.

GAMING: –

There are lots of virtual reality games in which technologies have improved and all the players feel like it’s all real. Earlier people do not have accessories or gadgets like headsets, gloves, hand controllers, etc. and now when the player is only playing a game, they will like they are in a real environment because of gadgets. Now VR games can be played on laptops or standalone systems but in the 90s, all these things did not happen.
Virtual Reality already doing an excellent job in-game and now many companies have started building new video games according to VR technology. You can play Virtual Reality Games on PCs and laptops or on game consoles or on smartphones also. During stressful situations, many people like to play video games with friends so it helps to overcome the stress.

SOCIAL LIFE: –

There are a number of VR-based social media platforms or mobile apps where you can make friends, can chat or call, can meet up with strangers. Earlier there was one social media platform i.e., Facebook and in this, people can only chat with each other, There were no calling options, and also no video chats were allowed at that time. But now there are many social media platforms on which people can chat, and video calls each other. Examples are VR chat, Altspace VR, etc. It is attractive for young people because they love to meet up, go on date, etc.
Facebook allows people to build relations and collaborate with each other. They can hang out, play games, or work together on projects whether it is domestic or international.
More of our social life is social only because most people interact with each other through online websites or apps. If someone is abroad or in another city due to a career or job, they can connect through this technology. We will have many ways to connect with each other as technology improves in this area.

Traveling: –

Virtual Reality Technology can make you feel like you travel the world without leaving your own home. Earlier people do not have that system but now VR can get you to a new place from your home. It’s like “being there without actually being there”.
Earlier people actually had to go to see mountains, waves, etc. as there was no such facility. But now people can feel or see mountains, waves, and beaches without actually going to those places. Experience the Juhu beach, the Maldives, and much more at home through VR Technology.

Work from Home: –

Through Virtual Reality Technology, people can do office work from home more comfortable and more productive. Earlier people had to go to the office and because of that, time was wasted on traveling and also there were conveyance expenses. Some part of salary has been wasted in conveyance only.
During the Pandemic in 2020, almost every company allow work from home for almost every employee. One can work from anywhere whether it’s their home town, hills or beach. So, we can expect the development of more virtual offices in the future.