What is Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality (VR) is the next frontier from smartphones and computers, jockeying to dominate the IT world.

Virtual Reality Definition

VR is an imitation of reality created through a computer-generated environment that gives an experience of a different world. In technical terms, the VR is the simulation of a three-dimensional image that can be interacted in a seemingly real or physical way by a person through special electronic equipment, such as a VR headset embedded with a screen or gloves fitted with sensors.

A VR headset fits around any person’s head and over eyes, which visually separates them from physically occupied space to a virtual world. Images are fed to their eyes from two small lenses. With VR headset one can virtually hike up to the summit, take a tour to Paris, experience a movie as if they are part of it, and immerse into a video game without leaving the couch.

Recent Innovations in Virtual Reality

VR comes in many different forms, from a cheap headset to a much expensive device that requires a PC, gaming console and a space to move. There is a wide range of virtual reality accessories available in the market, today.

Let’s have a glimpse of few VR gadgets that are available in the market:

Google Cardboard—is the cheapest way to turn any smartphone into intelligent viewer allowing anyone to experience the virtual reality world. Google Cardboard is a glorified cardboard phone case that uses a pair of lenses supported by an app to give virtual experience.

Homido—is the best smartphone compatible VR headset in the market. The headset comes with three sets of lens holders for different focal lengths which give normal vision, near-sighted and far-sighted vision.

Samsung Gear VR—is an affordable and easy to attach phone-based VR accessory that gives great audio-visual experience. It is compatible only with a specific collection of Samsung smartphones. There are numerous VR games and apps available on Google play store and Netflix that supports Samsung Gear VR headsets.

Oculus Rift—is a popular VR headset–developed and manufactured by Oculus Rift, a division of Facebook. Oculus Rift VR headsets have transformed the way the video games are played and extremely high in price.

Virtual Reality in Various Fields

Virtual Reality is ill-defined as only a view master for video games. But it’s an entirely new medium, whose purpose is being realized lately.

Reported by Cnet, here are the ways VR will be used in next few years:

• Entertainment: From Hollywood movies to live-streamed videos, VR has become a new enhancement to view videos. There are new cameras and tools being created to capture the moments in the VR devices.
   
• Architecture & Design: Building a real home with virtual tools or designing cars as if it exists in the real world. Imagine painting a 3D device virtually while collaborating with friends around the globe. Already there are Apps and controllers that are making use of VR and in future it is going to become an essential entity in all 3D designing tools.
   
• Education & Simulation: VR headsets are being used to train medical students for surgery. It allows students to learn the procedures in a virtual, controlled environment. Through VR simulations students can even take virtually try an open-heart surgery without any risks.
   
• Tourism & Exploration: VR devices have transformed the tourism experience of audience like never before. Through a compelling 3D video, storytelling aspects and other approaches, one can experience the reality for a short period of time, directly from their living rooms or an experiential hub. The simulated 3D video offers a compelling view of any destination, a guided tour of city or island or any other country. However, the cost associated with VR technology is really very expensive.
   
• Psychology & Meditation: VR therapies are proven to be very effective on people with psychological and physical disabilities. According to a research by APA, VR therapy is helping people to literally face their fears and overcome them. It can be used in clinical settings, probably in the area of exposure therapy that helps a patient to confront a simple phobia or process difficult, traumatic memories.
   
• Real estate: VR technology allows real estate industry to narrate a story like never before. A real-estate agent can produce a 360-degree photography or video of a property and create an interactive virtual walk-through experience to a prospective buyer. It can even let a buyer add and customize the interior design or architecture of a building, which is still in constructing stage.
   
• Retail: VR has already transformed the retail industry through virtual marketing and sales platforms that give customers an interactive and highly personalized experience. Retail companies can improve customer’s shopping experience and reduce marketing budgets by adopting virtual intelligence methods.