Virtual reality is becoming increasingly popular due to the rise of smartphone technology. People are using their smartphones to view 360-degree video and 3D images. This is because they are portable devices that allow them to access information anywhere at any time.
In this article, we will tell you about a new feature in VR known as VR support.
Let’s go!
What Is VR Support?
VR Support is a new feature in the latest version of the Oculus Rift SDK that allows developers to create applications for the headset and its controllers.
The first application to be released with this functionality was the Oculus Touch demo, which lets you use your hands to interact with virtual objects.
VR Support will allow developers to build apps that can work on both the original Oculus Rift as well as the upcoming standalone headsets like Samsung’s Gear VR or Google Cardboard.
What Is Virtual Reality?
Virtual realities place the user inside a three dimensional environment. Instead of viewing a two dimensional screen in front of them they’re immersed in and interact with a three dimensional world.
Simulation of human senses turns computers into vehicles that allow us to travel through new worlds. However, there is no limit to an excellent VR (virtual reality) experience when it comes to available computing power and the number of experiences we can create.
Sam Trudgian says, “Virtual reality and augmented reality are in a stage of innovation right now. Headset technology has gotten smaller, faster, and wireless.”
“We’ve just started developing our own virtual reality headsets, which we’ll be selling to businesses. We’re starting off with a simple version that can be used by anyone without any training.
In the near term, we expect to sell these to local government departments and public sector organisations. They’ll be able to use them to show customers how buildings would look if they were built differently, or what new developments might look like.”
Types of Virtual Reality
There are three main types of virtual realities: non-immersive (or “flat”), semi-immersive, and full immersion. Each type offers a different level of computer generated simulations.
There are three main types of VR:
Non-Immersive Virtual Reality
Immersive VR has been around for decades, but it’s not widely used because it requires expensive equipment. However, non-immersive VR is becoming increasingly popular. It uses inexpensive equipment and allows people to experience virtual reality without having to wear special glasses.
Semi-Immersive Virtual Reality
With this kind of VR, you can experience a partial view of a virtual environment. It’s best suited for educational and professional applications when graphics processors and large projectors are readily available.
Fully Immersive Virtual Reality
Virtual realities are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers. They allow users to immerse themselves into a simulated environment where they can interact with objects and people.
These simulations are often used to train soldiers before deployment, or to help them prepare for combat situations. In addition, virtual worlds are being developed for social interaction, education, business, and tourism.
A virtual technology definition involves specific characteristics. It is more than just an immersive environment; it is also computer-generated, believable, and interactive.
Difference Between Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
VR is an all-encompassing, artificially created environment that completely envelops its user. AR adds digital elements to the user’s view of the real-life environment.
Virtual reality creates synthetic experiences by using sensory stimuli. Users’ actions affect the experience, which exists outside of their physical environment. These digital environments mirror real places and are independent of our physical world.
Augmented reality (AR) differs from virtual reality (VR) because it enhances the real-world environment by adding computer-generated images, sounds, or videos to augment the user’s view of the real world.
How Does Virtual Reality Technology Work?
The VR experience combines hardware and technology to trick the brain into believing it’s really there.
A hardware device supports sensory input (such as sound) and simulates an experience (such as a game).
Eye and Brain Function and the 3D VR Experience
Immersive experiences create visual images by simulating how our brains see things. Our brains are approximately 3 inches apart so we see slightly different images when looking at something from different angles.
The eyes fuse those images together to create a sense of three dimensional depth.
A VR application replicates that phenomenon by showing two identical images, one for each person’s eyes. Instead of seeing a single picture covering the entire screen, they see two separate images that appear to be offset from each other.
VR technology tricks the viewer’s brain into thinking there’s a third dimension.
What Technology Does Virtual Reality Use?
VR technologies typically consist of headsets and accessories such a controller and motion tracker. They’re available through proprietary downloadable applications or web-browsing platforms.
What Hardware Does Virtual Reality Use?
VR hardware includes sensory devices such as containers, headsets (including Google Cardboard), hand trackers, treadmils, and for creative professionals, 3D cameras.
VR Headsets
Head-mounted devices (HMDs) are headsets worn on the user’s head. HMDs usually include state-of-the-art sound, vision, or head movement sensing technology.
There are three main types of headsets:
PC-Based VR Headsets
Most PC headphones are expensive because they provide the best audio quality. They’re usually connected via cables and powered by external hardware (such as an amplifier).
With its dedicated display, built-ins sensors, and external cameras, the headset offers high quality audio and video, and head tracking for better immersion.
Standalone VR Headsets
Some VR headsets are standalone devices, but others are not. Standalone VR headsets are not necessarily wireless.
There are two types of wireless communication devices: ones that transmit information wirelessly from console or PC in proximity, and ones that use wired packs carried in pockets or attached to clothes.
Mobile Headsets
These phones use special lenses that cover their screens to produce a 3D image that makes them look like they’re wearing headsets.
Mobile headsets are relatively cheap. You don’t need wires because the phone does the computing.
Smartphones aren’t the best way to experience virtual reality because they lack positional trackers. And they’re not powerful enough for games.
It generates an environment from a single viewpoint, and it is not possible to look around objects in the generated environment.
VR Accessories
VR accessories are devices that help people experience virtual reality (VR) technologies. They’re continually being improved to enhance the immersive experience.
Today’s gadgets include 3D mice, motion controllers, wireless handsets, wireless headsets, wireless earbuds, wireless glasses, wireless headphones, and even smellers!
These are some of the accessories used today in VR:
3D Mouse
A 3D pointer is a computer input and output system used to move objects in three dimensions within a virtual space. It employs several methods to determine position and orientation, including accelerometers, multiple axis motion detectors, infrared (IR) emitters, and light sources.
Optical Trackers
For VR systems, the most common way to track objects or people is by using one or multiple fixed camera(s) to track them.
Wired Gloves
A wearable device that captures physical movement data is also called a cyber glove or data glove.
A motion tracker captures the movement of a hand by attaching to it.
The high-end version of the gloves provides haptic feedback or tactile sensation, so they can be used as an input device for computers.
Motion Controllers
Mixed Reality Accessories let users interact with digital objects by moving them precisely in space. They’re used to control digital objects.
Omnidirectional Treadmills (ODTs)
With this device, users can go anywhere they want physically within an environment. It provides a full immersion experience in virtual reality (VR) applications.
Smelling Devices
Smell-emitting attachments for VR headsets are among the latest innovations in the VR world. A startup from Japan named Vaqso has created one such device that emits smells to convey the size and shape of a candy bar.
Conclusion
There are many types of VR solutions available today. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The key to choosing the right solution depends on your needs and budget.
We hope that this article was helpful. If you have any queries feel free to reach out in the comments section below.