What is virtual reality?
Two to three years ago, it would have been correct to say Virtual Reality(VR) is a recent upcoming technology. Now VR is widely used in various sectors like gaming, health care, logistics, banking, and many more. Currently, many people are using it intensively and simultaneously exploring its potential. By 2026 VR is set to be worth around $184.66 Billion.
VR is a computer technology where the user is placed at the center of a simulated environment. VR technology is built on the rules of human perception. People believe in what they see, hear and feel - using these rules, VR attempts to create a virtual environment that feels just as authentic as the real world around us. Unlike when using a phone or a laptop, VR places the user inside the event. The difference is apparent when you can “physically” interact with 3D objects rather than viewing them on a 2D screen. VR creates an immersive virtual environment and relies less on the imagination by simulating senses like vision, hearing, and sometimes touch. In this blog, we will uncover how VR works and how we can use VR headsets.
The evolution of VR headsets
The best way to experience VR is by using a VR headset. A VR headset is a head-mounted display (HMD), which looks like a big set of goggles over your eyes. The earliest trace of a VR headset was in 1985, known as a head-mount stereoscopic television device. It blocks out the outside world and presents you with a whole new scenario. In most headsets, the VR screen fills out our peripheral vision. The headset creates the illusion of life-size, 3-dimensional virtual environments without the interruptions that would otherwise occur while watching TV or using a computer screen. Whichever way the person moves their head, the mounted screen will also move with them.
Many companies like Oculus, HTC, Lenovo, Pico, and HP started to make VR headsets over the last few years. The cost of VR headsets varies significantly, from a sub-$100 basic hardware to a more sophisticated system like a $1500 Oculus Quest Pro. Headsets have evolved a lot over the last few years. New headsets from Oculus, Pico, HTC, and Lenovo are standalone devices, while Oculus Rift from the 2010s was a tethered device. The standalone devices provide a better experience as they allow users to move around physically. These headsets usually come with a set of controllers, each featuring a joystick and buttons to move around and interact with the 3D objects in a virtual environment.
Now you know that the best way to experience VR is through a VR headset. But once you get the headset, how do you set up a VR headset and start using VR? The process starts with putting on your headset. On Oculus VR headsets, once you switch on the headset, you will be asked to set your height and scan your surroundings. These steps ensure your safety while you are interacting and moving in the virtual world. Similar safety mechanisms exist on all leading devices. The headsets also have their own app Store, just like an iOS Apple Store or Google App Store. Once you create an account and log in, you can access the various free or paid applications available. There are a large variety of apps geared toward entertainment, gaming, and business.
Future of VR headsets
VR technology and headsets have come a long way since 1985, and they still have a long way to go to reach their full potential. As development efforts continue, VR headsets are becoming sleeker and more mobile. The headsets are progressing to have fewer wires and more functionality. VR headsets are also experimenting with MR aspects like incorporating hand tracking and accessing your physical desk in a VR environment. Over time, VR has moved from sci-fi movie material to an actual tool with great utility. VR headsets play an essential role in enabling this utility. As headsets become more versatile and accessible, they are bound to impact all sorts of industries greatly, from entertainment to more traditional sectors like manufacturing. What we see lately is a significant focus on enterprise-ready devices. Oculus, Pico, and Lenovo have all recently revealed new headsets geared toward business rather than gaming. As expected, the new devices have better ergonomics, processors, enlarged storage, and capacity. The more significant change is that we no longer have to retrofit gaming devices for business use. This change will usher in a new phase of accelerated development for VR-based business solutions like Arthur.
Stay tuned for the updates that are coming soon. Follow our blog and book a VR session if you want to learn more.
