How does it work?
More real than virtual? In 2016, we will see the arrival of improved virtual reality (VR) headsets. A Genevabased start-up is increasing the sense of immersion by making it possible to interact with real objects. By Daniel Saraga Illustrations by ikonaut
1. 3D headset Oculus Rift glasses create a three-dimensional experience by displaying slightly different viewpoints to each eye. The unit also tracks head movements using accelerometers – similar those found in smartphones.
4. Unifying two visions All of the information coming from the headset and the cameras is processed by a laptop in the user’s backpack. Interestingly, headset data has very low latency, negatively impacting precision; whereas camera data is very precise, but not so responsive.
5. First applications There are a number of potential VR applications, such as health (e.g., physiotherapy, treating phobias, training surgeons), culture (e.g., virtual museum visits) and architecture, although it’s most likely that the first applications will be video-gaming and entertainment (e.g., haunted houses, rollercoasters and “augmented” shooting games). “We’ve entered into talks with a musement parks in Asia and the Middle East”, says Caecilia Charbonnier, co-founder of Artanim, the c ompany set up in Geneva in early 2015.
2. Sensory combinations The new headset from Artanim is also able to track other parts of the user’s body, introducing the possibility of interacting with physical objects and considerably increasing the feeling of immersion.
3. Capturing movement The system comprises a dozen infra-red (IR) cameras, which track reflectors attached to the user’s hands, feet and head by sending and receiving IR light. It then triangulates the position of each reflector, superimposing it into a virtual 3D environment. The user’s avatar can then move within the virtual world alongside the avatars of other users. By simply adding extra IR reflectors to real-world objects (such as a torch), they too can become part of the simulation.
Swiss National Science Foundation – Swiss Academies: Horizons No. 107
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