VR: Venturing into the Unknown

Virtual Reality is a new and quickly expanding field of technology-based on engineering and computer science principles. The idea behind VR is that it creates an immersive 3D experience that can trick the brain into believing what it sees is real. VR headsets are currently very popular and attractions in theme parks like Flight of Passage in Disney World also use this new technology.

There are many factors that go into creating a successful VR experience. The two main things creators take into account are the impact of sound and eye and head tracking. Sound isn’t used as often in VR headsets that are commercialized, but adding headphones can create a very immersive experience. When adding in the sound, it is imperative that the sound actually matches up with the visuals and graphics that make up the 3D world. For example, a world of superheroes and villains probably won’t have music like “Baby Shark” playing in the background.
If you have ever used VR headsets before, you might have noticed that when you turn your head or move your eyes, the world moves with you. This is because VR technology also uses head and eye-tracking. This tracking can be done using things like laser pointers, led lights, and mobile sensors. For attractions that use VR, designers need high accuracy for as robust an experience as possible. In these instances, rooms that are designed for VR use may contain cameras and sensors to better tailor the VR experience to the individual user.

The applications for VR are vast and interesting. There is the obvious use of gaming and using VR for entertainment purposes, which is probably the largest commercial market for manufacturers. However, there are also educational applications. For instance, VR can be used to model historical architecture or historical sites for historians to better understand the way different events played out. Another educational use for VR is training for medical students. Especially in an environment where lab usage and shadowing are limited, students can use VR to learn more about surgery and dissection procedures. Programmers can create a simulation where every action has a reaction that mimics what would happen in reality to afford students the opportunity to practice procedures without the risk of harming a patient.

Picture Source: springwise.com