Virtual Reality Technology

Virtual Reality has recently come to the forefront as one of the most disruptive technological advances right now. This excitement is deserved due to the endless possibilities that VR brings to the table, but what is Virtual Reality, and what is the fuss really about?

Virtual Reality, ( VR) sometimes called artificial reality or e-reality is a computerised model of reality creating a virtual world that is transmitted to the user through his sense of sight, hearing, smell, touch, and others. Virtual reality mimics real world effects as well as effects of a user’s reaction. To create a convincing sense of reality, a series of complex computer synthesis reactions and properties of virtual reality are made in real time. It is a place in which people can immerse themselves fully and find themselves in a different world and in some cases, not being able to distinguish the virtual from the real.

Virtual reality objects usually behave and loook similar to objects of material reality. The user can act on these objects in accordance with the actual laws of physics (gravity, the properties of water, collision with objects, reflection, and so on). However, often, for entertainment purposes, users of virtual worlds can do more things that may not be possible in real life (eg, fly, use weapons in warfare, create any objects, and so on) .

Virtual Reality Vs Augmented Reality

Virtual reality is often confused with augmented reality. Their fundamental difference is that in virtual reality the new artificial world is completely immersive, while  augmented reality only makes some artificial elements in the perception of the real world.

The system of “virtual reality” is deliverd by  devices which are compatible with conventional computer systems that can imitate our interaction with real environments by creating an impact on all five human senses. Virtual reality devices can not only affect the senses of humans, but the data can also be transferred directly to nerve endings, and even directly to the brain through a brain interface.

Applications

At the moment, different companies are developing hardware for full access to a virtual reality experience: Omni and  Oculus Rift, are two examples, while augmented reality projects include Google Glass and others.

Head-mounted displays

Head Mounted displays come in the form of a unit worn over the head or in the form of  glasses.  Once a person puts on such displays everything they see is from a virtual world. This is also the main difference between virtual reality glasses and augmented reality glasses.

Leaders among virtual reality headsets today are:

• Oculus Rift
• Sony Project Morpheus
• Silico MicroDisplay ST1080

 Head Tracking Virtual Reality Systems

These are systems that track the movement of your head in a given space. The most famous examples of such systems are –  TrackIR, RUCAP UM-5, HeadJoy and the ART tracking system;

Today head tracking systems are built into many other devices, such as virtual reality headsets, helmets, eye movement tracking systems and a system for tracking the movements of your whole body.

Virtual Reality Systems for Tracking eye Movements

System for tracking eye movements and track the movement of pupils at each time can be calculated exactly where a person looks. Today, these systems are practically not available in the consumer market, but they are widely used in science and medicine for the study of human behavior.

Virtual Reality Gloves

The main means of interaction with the outside world for a man are his hands. Therefore, the idea of creating a “virtual hand” has been around for a long time. However, so far wired gloves are not comfortable enough, and in the near future they are likely to be superseded by a device like a Leap 3D.

The most famous examples are:

• The PEREGRINE Wearable Interface – Medium Glove
• Essential Reality P5 Gaming Glove

3D Virtual Reality Controllers / mouse

Conventional 2D controllers, such as, a mouse, allow you to specify a point on the plane, and when it comes to using a mouse in 3D games, something that would add another dimension, we need to use an additional device, such as, a keyboard. Today there are more combined manipulators, which allow you to work directly in 3D. With their use, the user holds the “joystick” position, which lies in the space of the monitored computer. The most famous 3D controller used in the games are:

• Wii Remote
• PlayStation Move

Like gamers, architects, engineers and designers also use special 3D mouse.

At the moment, virtual reality technology is widely used in various fields of human activity: Planning and design, mining, military technology, construction, simulators and simulations, marketing and advertising, entertainment and so on.

The volume of the market of virtual reality technology estimated at $ 15 billion per year. And it is for sure that with the development of high technologies in the field of virtual reality, it will take a firm place in our lives and provide people with a huge and virtually unlimited space for the conduct of any business