In week 19, we had a class on Virtual / Augmented Reality. I learnt about Virtual Environments, Avatars, Presence, Place and Plausibility Illusions. Understood how VR and AR technology works. Also differentiate between Virtual reality and augmented reality , understood the pros and cons of virtual reality.
To understand how VR works and to give introduction about virtual Environment and presence / co-presence we watched a small clip of movies Ready player 1.
We discussed about:
Metaverse alternate parallel reality
Metaverse is an alternative universe in an digital world (internet) where users through their digital, self-designed robots (avatars) can interact and move around the alternative environment created.
The metaverse might use virtual reality(VR) or Augmented Reality(AR) to immerse users in an alternate world. Metaverse is also called as world of avatars and virtual reality. Metaverse is a sort of 3D virtual world.
What is VR ?
Virtual reality is form of technology that creates simulated experience using technology that creates world maybe similar/ different to real world where users can explore interact with each other.
Difference between Video game and virtual Reality (VR)
In Virtual Reality(VR) game, you wear headset to play the game and look around by moving your head. Two controllers are used to track hand position inorder to aim and interact with the game using wrist and arms.
Normal Video games are played in the seated position, using a keyboard, mouse and controller.
Hence Virtual Reality(VR) is more immersive then video games.
1) Samsung Gear VR:
Samsung gear VR must be connected to the Galaxy Note8 to your exposed to a virtual world where you can see, share and relive moments in 360 degrees captured with the gear 360. You travel to your dream destinations and places. 3D and 360-degree 3D movies can be watched
2) Google Cardboard:
Google Cardboard is a virtual reality experience provided by inexpensive handheld cardboard device. it works by using almost any smartphone. Google Cardboard is also called 360° glasses because you can turn in all directions. You simply hold Cardboard in front of your eyes. The lenses act like a magnifying glass.
Virtual Environment
Virtual Environment is a environment created by the computer where the environment reacts based on user 's movement.
Example: VR screen adjusts automatically when moving the head around.
It blocks the current visual view and we watch the virtual view created by the computer. replaces the real outputs like vision, touch and sound. Hence virtual environment is immersive.
Presence
Is basically illusion of being their. Presence refer to an experience or perception of being in one place when one is located physically else where. also behaving and feeling as one is in virtual world created by computer and not real world.
For Example : A girl standing on ground floor of the building is experiencing as if she is on 12th floor of the building through virtual reality. Her behavior will also change , she will scared and nervous. Her involuntary subconscious behavior becomes reality.
Place and Plausibility Illusion
Place illusion: Is a situation of being place that a virtual box displays. For Example: While playing a basketball you can feel the sun on your face. But a throwback is that you can't hear the sound of the ball while dribbling.
Breaks In Presence
1) When application crashes.
2) Hitting a wall while playing on Virtual Reality(VR)
3) Short Circuit.
4) Latency Failure: when moving or shaking the head the VR world moves or sets slowly or lags.
5) Touch something and feel nothing : like when you touch a fruit in VR world, but you cannot feel it.
6) Weight of headset.
7) touch something that should not be there like the VR cable wires.
Avatar
An avatar can be defined as graphical representation of a user. It takes a 2-dimensional form in a internet forums and a 3-dimensional form in the games or virtual worlds. Avatars can be in any form human, animals or imaginary figure. My avatar on snapchat.
Examples: Experiment or research discussed in class. In Barcelona, a group 50 people were experimented. Out of which 25 people were given Albert Einstein 's avatar and had no avatar. The group was asked to solved mathematics problems. The stated that people with Albert Einstein's avatar tend solve problems faster and correct as compared to people with no avatar.
1 Avatar = 200 pictures
Commercial Presence
The prediction of statista.com states that the value of VR/AR industry will be valued around $209 Billion by 2022.
Some of current commercial presence.
Oculus by meta : Oculus Rift : Oculus rift was a virtual reality headset designed to connect PC that are high powered to enable advanced graphics and computations. Oculus Rift comes under discontinued line of VR headsets.
Microsoft HoloLens : Microsoft HoloLens are combination of mixed reality and augmented reality smartglasses. It uses multiple sensors, advanced optics and holographic processing that melds along with the environment. it can be used to display information, simulate a virtual world.
Apple ARKit: ARKit allows us to create AR experiences using location anchors you create for different places like London eye and time square etc. it also embedded with features like Motion Tracking, Face Tracking using Ultra Wide Camera on devices like iPad Pro. With App Clip Code you can pin virtual content.
VR Systems
Display systems: HMD (Head Mounted Display) : HMD is display worn on head which provides immersive and augmented experience to user. Virtual Reality(VR) hardware that includes headset, body tracking motion sensors, sound & vision interactions.
Example : Can weigh up to 2 kg and connected to 2 CPUs along with the VGA wires connected in past.
Activity1_VR_Training
Benefits of VR training in real-world:
1) VR Therapy ( Healthcare) :
Many patients are often too frightened to face specific anxiety and panic inducing situations and scenarios on their own. Hence accompanying them is time-consuming, creates chances of risk.
Virtual Reality helps them face their fears and anxieties in a safe manner and gives faster results. Also helps repeat exposures in ways that are impossible in real life. Reduces trauma and anxiety.
Some examples of fears : Fear of height, Fear of public speaking. fear of flying, fear of dogs, fear of driving and etc.
2) VR for Military Training: Since virtual reality can provide a realistic digital replica of complex environments, it provides soldiers a safe platform to learn how to engage with the enemy. Virtual reality training involves head mounted displays(HMD) and data gloves to enable the military trainees to interact with objects within the virtual environment.
Benefits of VR for Training :
1) Immersion for more focused Training: Virtual reality’s ability to create a highly immersive experience makes it one of the most effective teaching methods available. Wearing the virtual reality headset blocks out all external distractions. Users are encouraged to focus only on what they can see and hear.
2) Faster Employee Training : Virtual Reality(VR) makes training up to 4 times faster for employees compared to the traditional methods.
3) Removing Unnecessary Risks: Virtual Reality enables the trainees to practice procedures that might not be safe in real world during their training. Applicable in healthcare, military and health care industry.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Virtual reality (VR):
Advantages:
1) Little/ No Risk
2) Realistic scenarios
3) Suitable for different learning styles
4) Innovative and enjoyable
5) Simplifies complex problems
6) Teachable soft skills
7) Improved safety and security
Disadvantages:
1) The equipments used in virtual reality are expensive.
2) it consists of complex technology.
3) Isolated: After spending significant amounts of time in the virtual world, they become addicted to it and tend to enjoy it more there than in the real world. Thus, they spend more time with their friends in the virtual world like in games. This eventually leads them to become isolated from the real world.
4) Unreal : One can always train to either perform surgery or fly a plane, using the VR technology to an extent. But training in the virtual world and real-world are entirely different things. They might not be able to give their best when exposed to the real world because any action they take will have real consequences.
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