Virtual reality is an immersive technology which gives us a sensation of being physically present in a computer generated environment. It stimulates user's physical presence in an illusory world
This technology allows us experiencing a new dimension and interaction with it.
Augmented reality is a technology that superimposes computer generated graphics with the real world which means, in Augmented reality ,we see a blend of real world and computer generated graphic mounted on top of it while in virtual reality we are completely taken to another world. With aid of a display and head tracking sensors. We are made to feel being present in an environment that feels real .
google cardboard is a head mounted VR device launched by google.It uses smartphones as its main working device. The body is made of cardboard but sustains quality.It got a pair of lenses.The light from smartphone when passes through the lenses and hits retina ,User perceive a VR experience. Other features such as movement tracking depends on your phone. If your device has Gyroscope, Accelerometer and other required sensors then you will love enjoying this product.
Google Cardboard was initially designed and launched to encourage developers and is available for about $15 only.This product gained popularity very soon.
As per the Data reveled Through March 2017, over 10 million Cardboard viewers had sold and more than 160 million Cardboard app downloads had been made.
This technology allows us experiencing a new dimension and interaction with it.
Origin:How it came to effect
Virtual means something in essence or effect but not real. It is often related to computer sense of not physically existing but made to appear or feel real by using software which stimulate our sensations. It is a blend of technologies working together to create an immersive illusion to the user.
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| image source: vive.com |
The origin of virtual reality finds traces in early 20th century , however exact origin of VR is disputed. Many inventors dig their feet to devlop improved VR technology but those products didn't succeed due to technical glitches in their base model.
Apart from this fighter planes are very expensive, introducing Virtual reality in training programe proved to cut costs and avoid any life threatening accidents.
In the following figure (a) two coordinate x and y are given which can represent a 2 dimensional image ,while in figure (b) a third coordinate z is introduced .Which in terms of science is called the third dimension Depth.
In 3D projection we can percept the depth of the object. and the three axis- height ,width and depth(x,y,z)together form a 3D image.
but suppose you could also walk through the computer generated graphics. Fortunately, it is possible by use of movement tracking sensors. In head mounted VR when you move your head in a direction,visual is also adjusted according to the information collected by the sensors.
Earliest Deployment
The earliest massive deployment of this technology was in Airforce. They used it in flying simulators to teach flying skills. It was considered safe and also helped in treating sufferers of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) who have recently returned from a combat zone and experienced various symptoms associated with this.Apart from this fighter planes are very expensive, introducing Virtual reality in training programe proved to cut costs and avoid any life threatening accidents.
How does it work?
yeah! it seems pretty interesting. The most recent technologies are in our hands now but have you ever thought How these things work. Let us explain you. Virtual Reality is nothing but a perception of depth and freedom of movement in a computer generated world accompanied by motion tracking sensors. Before we come to actual point let us make you understand the main concept behind .
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| Axis diagram |
In the following figure (a) two coordinate x and y are given which can represent a 2 dimensional image ,while in figure (b) a third coordinate z is introduced .Which in terms of science is called the third dimension Depth.
In 3D projection we can percept the depth of the object. and the three axis- height ,width and depth(x,y,z)together form a 3D image.
but suppose you could also walk through the computer generated graphics. Fortunately, it is possible by use of movement tracking sensors. In head mounted VR when you move your head in a direction,visual is also adjusted according to the information collected by the sensors.
What are sensors, how do we use them in VR.?
Sensors plays an important role in stimulating our VR experience. Any movement and behaviour made by user is detected by sensors and this information is processed in visual rendering of the data. Gyroscope and Accelerometer are the major sensor that are used to track location of the device and of the user. They are also used used to provide stability or maintain a reference direction in navigation systems, automatic pilots, and stabilizers. We will explain these further.How do we shoot a 3D Films
you might have enjoyed 180/ 360 degree VR films. Though shooting them isn't that simple. A normal 2D video can be recorded by using only one camera but to shoot VR films ,the scene is different. We use a bunch of cameras mounted on a frame such that each of them record a different angle view of the scene. After the recordings have finished ,They are merged to form a single piece by using advance software.
Our eyes are very complex in nature . Any image that is formed in retina is processed by brain . People think thy see the same thing with both eyes but that isn't actually true.
let us make you clear by example.
This natural phenomenon is used in 3D simulators . They show us two different images side by side by hindering our view to a specific angle, our brain processes both the images to form one .Thus producing depth in images or videos. Interesting right!
Tricking your brain
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let us make you clear by example.
- Try seeing an object closing your eyes one by one .Did you notice the difference . Yes! our eyes are situated at a little distance from each other . When we see with both eyes open , we see two different images with slight angle variation. Our brain merges them into one.
This natural phenomenon is used in 3D simulators . They show us two different images side by side by hindering our view to a specific angle, our brain processes both the images to form one .Thus producing depth in images or videos. Interesting right!
Types of VR Technologies
Virtual Reality has proved to be is a link between the real and imaginary .We call it Virtual world. Many new developers at the young age of this technology tried to stimulate immersive user experience by combining sound and smell effect with graphics. But they failed due to poor user experience. The tube like displays were weird. People often feel nauseous since this technology uses our eye sense.Augmented reality ,How it is different from VR?
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| Image source: glass.google.com |
- In Augmented reality you can see and interact with computer generated images without isolating from the real world.
- It is based on or related to your real world interactions.
Available Products
VR has gone through long time in its underdeveloped age .But since 90s we have witnessed a massive improvement in 3D technologies and Available products. After the success of movies like Avatar (2009) the industry has come with a number of films in 3D projection. Now the market has flooded with dozens of futuristic devices that allow us a seamless 3D experience.
Lets Get to know some of them.
Google Cardboard
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| source vr.googlecom |
Google Cardboard was initially designed and launched to encourage developers and is available for about $15 only.This product gained popularity very soon.
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| google cardboard: vr.google.com |
- Installation is very easy just play your media on a VR supported app or you can simply search for VR videos in youtube. Put your device in back of the Cardboard . thats it .Your device is ready to be viewed.
Oculus Rift
Oculus Rift is a VR headset developed and manufactured by Oculus VR, A division of facebook Inc. It was initially released on march 28,2016. Facebook purchased Oculus Rift in march 2014 for 2$ billion.
Features:
It comes with Pentile OLED display ,resolution 2160×1200 @ 90hz refresh rate which is pretty good for High quality Gaming experience. the display resolution is 1080×1200 for each eye .It is currently available for $399 . They have clearly mentioned the device is aimed at hardcore gamers and to those who want to enjoy a seamless 3D experience gaming .It has integrated
headphones that provide a 3D audio effect and rotational and position tracking . positional tracking system is based on Infrared Led which which is integrated on the head mounted device. and the sensor is called Constellation that picks the light and detects the actual position.
it can also be used to play 360 VR videos.
Installation of Oculus requires a windows based machine . it supports windows 10 and onward . currently only 64bit operating system is supported on windows machine . OS X and Linux support is planned for some future time. Rift requires minimum 16GB RAM and pentium i5 advanced processor or equivalent. for furthur specification visit official site.
The device uses graphic rendering at 90hz but to reduce hardware cost it also works at 45hz with time warp. at this rate some users might experience lower quality graphic experience.
3D sound: Oculus Rift managed to get an inbuilt 3D sound functionality .the Head mounted device has a decent pair of Over the ear headphone which are replaceable.
Content Avalibility
It is no worth spending huge sums of money if you do not get compatible content available. Fortunately Oculus has encouraged many developers to build content for their flagship vr devices.
It comes with Pentile OLED display ,resolution 2160×1200 @ 90hz refresh rate which is pretty good for High quality Gaming experience. the display resolution is 1080×1200 for each eye .It is currently available for $399 . They have clearly mentioned the device is aimed at hardcore gamers and to those who want to enjoy a seamless 3D experience gaming .It has integrated
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| image source: Oculus |
it can also be used to play 360 VR videos.
Installation of Oculus requires a windows based machine . it supports windows 10 and onward . currently only 64bit operating system is supported on windows machine . OS X and Linux support is planned for some future time. Rift requires minimum 16GB RAM and pentium i5 advanced processor or equivalent. for furthur specification visit official site.
The device uses graphic rendering at 90hz but to reduce hardware cost it also works at 45hz with time warp. at this rate some users might experience lower quality graphic experience.
3D sound: Oculus Rift managed to get an inbuilt 3D sound functionality .the Head mounted device has a decent pair of Over the ear headphone which are replaceable.
Content Avalibility
It is no worth spending huge sums of money if you do not get compatible content available. Fortunately Oculus has encouraged many developers to build content for their flagship vr devices.
HTC Vive
Htc Vive is another flagship virtual reality headset developed by HTC and Valve corporation. The device uses room-scale tracking technology that allows user to move in a 3D space and interact with the environment. It uses handheld motion tracking controllers.The device was unveiled during HTC's mobile world congress keynote in march 2015.
Vive gives us more realistic 3D experience.Its display has a resolution of 1080×1200 for each eye which refreshes @ 90hz. Also is gives 110 degree wide angle viewing which is the same as Oculus Rift.
Apart from this Vive also managed to get a camera mounted on the front of the device for safety feature. You can see on camera to avoid any injury during play.
Vive Hand Controllers have multiple input method including track pad , grip buttons and a dual stage trigger.
Vive gives us more realistic 3D experience.Its display has a resolution of 1080×1200 for each eye which refreshes @ 90hz. Also is gives 110 degree wide angle viewing which is the same as Oculus Rift.
Apart from this Vive also managed to get a camera mounted on the front of the device for safety feature. You can see on camera to avoid any injury during play.
Vive Hand Controllers have multiple input method including track pad , grip buttons and a dual stage trigger.
Gaming and latency .
Gaming is the most popular use of computer simulator .Normal Video games requires low system configuration but Games originally designed for VR simulators or devices require very high machine configuration which throws most of the computers/laptops out of the talk.Concluding
VR has been in debate for more than a decade. After reading this article we conclude that there is still a gap to be filled. The technology is running in its underdeveloped age and requires more attention and work to achieve better performance. Also the devices hitting the market are not very cost effective unless you are a enthusiast or a hardcore gamer. However, it doesn't mean that you should wait for more relevant products.The hunger for Better technology never ends.
its on you whether you are ready for a new experience or have planned it for some future time.
Thank you for reading this article.If you have any suggestion or query feel free to ask us. We are always looking forward to hearing from you.
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