What Is Virtual Reality? (+3 Types of VR Experiences)

Escape into your own world with virtual reality technology.

The idea of interacting with a digital world isnt new, as movies like Tron (1982) and Spy Kids 3-D (2003) have brought conceptual technology to life on the big screen. But in todays world, those same consumers can now interact with their own digital space.

From gaming and social networking to education and marketing, there are many applications for this type of emerging tech. Youve probably already participated in a virtual reality experience and didnt even know it.

Unlike augmented reality, virtual reality is a fully digital experience that can either simulate or differ completely from the real world. The term virtual reality refers to a computer-generated, three-dimensional environment. In order to experience and interact with virtual reality, youll need the proper equipment, like a pair of VR glasses or a headset.

Virtual reality technology is used to create immersive experiences that can help educate and even entertain consumers. Outside of its popular gaming use case, virtual reality is applied in a variety of industries, such as medicine, architecture, military, and others.

Everything that makes up our perception of reality is due to our senses. So, in theory, everyones reality is unique to them. Taking that a step further, it would make sense that if you provided your sense with other simulated or computer-generated information, your perception of reality would change creating a new, virtual one.

Because VR tech creates a completely 3-D environment, you can imagine the amount of software involved. VR software works together with VR hardware to immerse the user into the virtual world. Developers also have to create interactive components within the environments that look and even feel like the real deal.

Virtual reality software can be used to build experiences for consumers to virtually test products, learn something new, or build something themselves. Believe it or not, there are even VR social platforms! Learn more about the types of software required to create these types of user experiences, like VR content management systems, SDKs, and more.

VR hardware is used in conjunction with the software to provide the illusion of being in a 3-D environment. Common hardware includes VR glasses, gloves, and other accessories to simulate other senses like touch.

There are three main types of virtual reality used today to transform the world around us, including non-immersive, semi-immersive, and fully-immersive simulations.

To get a better understanding of how the technology is used, lets break down the different types of VR and see examples of each.

Chances are when you think of VR, youre picturing a fully-immersive experience complete with head-mounted displays, headphones, gloves, and maybe a treadmill or some kind of suspension apparatus.

This type of VR is commonly used for gaming and other entertainment purposes in VR arcades or even in your home (empty, non-fragile room advised.)

Fully-immersive simulations give users the most realistic experience possible, complete with sight and sound. The VR headsets provide high-resolution content with a wide field of view. Whether youre flying or fighting the bad guys, youll feel like youre really there.

Semi-immersive experiences provide users with a partially virtual environment to interact with. This type of VR is mainly used for educational and training purposes and the experience is made possible with graphical computing and large projector systems.

In this example, the instruments in front of the pilot are real and the windows are screens displaying virtual content.

Its important to keep in mind that semi-immersive VR simulations still give users the perception of being in a different reality. This type of virtual reality is not always possible to experience wherever. Instead, physical environments are created to supplement the virtual reality.

Non-immersive simulations are often forgotten as an actual type of VR, honestly because its very common in our everyday lives.

The average video game is technically considered a non-immersive virtual reality experience. Think about it, youre sitting in a physical space, interacting with a virtual one.

These types of experiences have become more advanced in recent years with video games like Wii Sports, where the system actually detects your motion and translates it on screen.

People consume more content across more mediums today than ever before. As brands begin to leverage emerging technology like virtual reality, these experiences will start to take hold in our daily lives.

The possibilities for VR are endless, learn more about emerging trends in this area of tech.

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What Is Virtual Reality? (+3 Types of VR Experiences)