The Future of Virtual Reality
Shwetha Jayaraj
What is Virtual Reality? The topic of what exactly virtual reality is still seems to be a question that is confusing for a large majority of the population. In the 1990’s, virtual reality used to mean anything from a 3D model on a computer screen to science fiction movies that imagined a world in which we lived in the virtual realm. In contemporary times however, we have succeeded in creating technology that now gets us ever closer to that latter imagination. Virtual reality denotation has now narrowed to signify a specific immersive experience one can undergro by utilizing virtual reality devices. You can now visit Niagara Falls and hike up to Mount Everest without leaving your room. You will be completely unaware of what is going on around you in the real world. Be definition, virtual reality (VR), is a computer technology that replicates an environment, real or imagined, and simulates a user's physical presence and environment in a way that allows the user to interact with it. It is an emerging trend which is now bringing more public attention. In more simple words, VR makes you see things or places around you that don't really exist but looks so real, it almost (if not actually) makes you feel like you are right there in the action.
It uses images, sound and other physical sensations, where you are kept in the inbuilt virtual world and you can move around and interact in some cases. Virtual reality has been on the rise and has been vastly improved due to the backed funding of certain Big Tech companies such as Facebook, Google, Amazon, and more. Originally, VR devices had launched with positive feedback but still had searched issues with the ease and useability that still needed to be fixed. The most popular virtual reality headset currently on the market are the oculus rift series and the HTC Vive. With funding from Facebook,. the Oculus Rift has greatly improved with the recent launch of its Oculus Rift S series which provides a truly hassle-free user experience integrated with seamless new gaming moves that entirely
immerse the player in a different world, completely removing reality that we experience with our eyes and ears behind.
Main Devices on the market & prices - Oftentimes, with virtual reality devices there are various classes of virtual reality technology depending on the quality and the type of immersive experience that is desired. Depending on what the user is looking for, it can be possible to create VR with a smartphone and a $30 Google cardboard2 but if a user is trying to get the full immersive experience of a high quality VR System, it is most common to go for the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift as is typically imagined when thinking of state-of-the-art virtual reality systems. The main in-demand devices on the virtual reality market right now are the HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift S, which is the most recent update release of the Oculus Rift series. There are various kinds of headsets available for each of these two virtual reality brands. The HTC Vive, backed by Amazon funding, includes the HTC Vive Pro HMD as well as the popularly reviewed HTC Vive Deluxe Audio Strap as well as the HTC Vive Cosmos VR Headset. The typical price for an HTC Vive Virtual Reality headset is typically $499 although the HTC Vive Pro series sells for a much more expensive $799. Conversely, the Oculus Rift series of virtual reality headsets range anywhere from $399 to $599 depending on the model that is being searched as well as the release date. Oculus Rift systems also vary greatly in terms of the type of entertainment systems it has in its repertoire going from the classic Oculus Rift to the Oculus Quest and the Oculus Go.
The Goods and Bads The pros and cons of each virtual reality device currently on the market can be discussed at great length but simply put, the advantages and disadvantages of VR entertainments largely depends on the quality of the system that is being paid for. A simple virtual reality system can be created with a
smartphone and a Google Cardboard setup or can be fully achieved with the full-blown high quality system that is acquired with the HTC Vive, one of the most expensive virtual reality systems currently in the market now. The advantages and disadvantages worth discussing in detail about virtual reality however, is truly how it can impair or also benefit society as a whole.
Advantages of VR Virtual reality & the onscreen experience changing to real-life experience is one that gives people chills. VR provides 3D interactive experience to the individual who likes exploring and traveling to new places. Furthermore, VR can provide huge benefits on the fronts of education and training. Virtual reality encourages the training of professionals like doctors, engineers, architects without putting them in harm’s way. VR simulation helps new drivers to feel the street and learn the basics. VR technology can also mean huge implications in the healthcare industry. Virtual Reality Exposure Theory(VRET)3 is a type of therapy used to treat a variety of anxiety disorders, including specific phobias. People with Parkinson’s disease also showed some improvement in being able to recognize obstacles in the path and navigation. This tool has dedicated its development in the field of neuroscience for the study of spatial navigation, multisensory integration, social neuroscience, and neurorehabilitation. Immersive VR helps in reducing pain by distracting the mind and flooding sensories with a positive experience.
The Dark Side of Virtual Reality Firstly, the inherent expensiveness of emerging technology and thus virtual reality systems are a major disadvantage of these systems. Virtual Reality is very complex for both hardware and software management and that is the main reason as to why it’s costly. It provides real-time immersive experience which includes some typical type of display and serious images coding that easily plays with human emotion.These systems are very costly as the production companies are less as it is just gaining some
attention and the technical knowledge is with the least individuals. So the management and repair are costly and expensive which creates a big hole in the pocket. Conversely, the health effects may prove to be damaging as more research is being conducted on virtual reality. The posture while using virtual reality can lead to loss of spatial awareness, dizziness, disorientation, and nausea.4 Likewise seasickness, you feel nausea with the movement itself here you see the images you feel the movement and the feeling is all the events are for real so it sometimes increases heartbeat and plays with our emotions too. Excessive use and dependencies can cause vertigo, eye and ear problems and migraine. We are staying in our room and gathering all information which prevents us from gaining fresh oxygen and enjoy the greenery or natural environment around us which leads to problems like headaches and weak eyesight. Performing some task repeatedly causes addiction and VR is such wonderful technology which possesses that ability. The students and people who watch too many movies will for sure be addicted to it. The experience they gain using VR playing with their favorite avatars online and watching the movies will take them to a fantasy world. They may feel numb and wouldn’t understand or interact awkwardly outside the virtual environment. The disadvantage of getting addicted is personal disorder and frequent behavioral change.
Opinion: So what is the future of virtual reality? Based on my opinion alone, I am one to believe that the future virtual reality will get actualized in the coming years as the popularity of virtual reality entertainment systems rise and as the gaming industry continues to understand exactly how immersive the virtual reality experiences is. Therefore, I believe virtual reality currently has a very bright future ahead of itself. Especially in terms of the new updates that currently are going on right now, VR systems are continuing to improve daily as research and development goes into this field. With the various virtual reality devices on market as well as in production to be developed right now, there are massive changes happening to both the gaming & entertainment industry when it comes to virtual reality technology.
Ultimately at present, virtual reality is a form of technology that has a future that is currently in the early stages of development with potentials that have not entirely been realized as of yet. With the entertainment systems that are currently on the market & reviewed with positive reviews, the possibilities with what virtual reality can do for society have yet to be actualized. Once the proper research has been conducted on the clear advantages and disadvantages of VR systems, I hold the belief that virtual reality has a long & successful in the years ahead especially with the new developments happening in tech industries.
Citations: 1.
​https://www.completegate.com/2016070154/blog/virtual-reality-explained
2. https://www.theverge.com/a/best-vr-headset-oculus-rift-samsung-gear-htc-vive-virtual-reality 3. https://honestproscons.com/pros-and-cons-of-virtual-reality/ 4. https://honestproscons.com/pros-and-cons-of-virtual-reality/
References: https://www.theverge.com/a/best-vr-headset-oculus-rift-samsung-gear-htc-vive-virtual-reality https://elearningindustry.com/pros-cons-using-virtual-reality-in-the-classroom https://honestproscons.com/pros-and-cons-of-virtual-reality/ https://virtual-reality.weebly.com/pros-and-cons.html https://www.completegate.com/2016070154/blog/virtual-reality-explained https://www.businessinsider.com/virtual-reality-vr-side-effects-2018-3 https://globalnews.ca/news/6554000/rocky-rambo-trial-gaming-consciousness-evidence/