Last updated: December 31, 2022
Virtual Reality and augmented reality are terms that we hear more and more often come up in conversations. But if you don't know much about it, it's easy to get lost.
We can even say that sometimes these new terms are simply misused by the people who are going to use them, which does not necessarily help the general understanding of them either.
So, in this article, we decided to focus more particularly on virtual reality. It's simple, we are going to give you a simple definition of the phenomenon, then take a little interest in its history.
Once this first round is done, we will then take a closer look the different applications of this technology and the benefits it can bring in all these areas, which explains its growth in recent years.
What is virtual reality?
The principle of virtual reality, it's simple. It is a device that will simulate an entire environment digitally. So you project yourself into this reality via your computer or a helmet for example.
This is where it should not be confused with the augmented reality which it bases on what is really in front of you and simply adds digital elements to it. No, everything around you has been digitized.
So be careful, there is still a small trap. Indeed, you may very well end up with an environment that is indeed real. For example, visiting a museum that really exists.
However, virtual reality implies that this element has been completely recreated virtually. So, for example, it's different from a simple video of this museum. There you can interact as if you are actually there.
History of virtual reality
So, we just talked about virtual reality headsets and we could say that this technology is recent. Indeed these helmets, it has been barely ten years that we find them easily in the trade.
Well, if these headsets did indeed democratize for the general public quite a short time ago, the development of this virtual reality technology dates back to well before that time.
Indeed, the first virtual reality machine was invented by Morton heilig in 1956. . This machine called Sensorama then allows the user by plunging his head and hands inside to appeal to several senses.
With regard to virtual reality headsets, we owe them to la NASA who developed the concept over the years 1990 for research purposes. Finally a few years later, these helmets they will switch to the field of video game like the Virtual boy, but depending on the years, it will be a failure.
Applications and Benefits
Now that we know a little more about this virtual reality, it is time to take an interest in domains that use this technology and you will see that there are many.
The video game
As we have just said, video games are one of the first things we will think of when we talk about virtual reality. Indeed, for years and years, the concept has tried to find a place.
For example, we were talking to you earlier about virtual boy released in 1995. The problem is that the nintendo headset is extremely expensive and average quality which will lead to a violent failure.
We will have to wait for thearrival of Oculus ten years ago for the phenomenon to finally explode. Today, virtual reality in video games has a place, but it is still a bit on the margins.
In question, the purchase price of the helmet and the need to have a powerful machine. However, the main advantage of this technology is that the immersion of the player is simply complete.
Some of the most popular virtual reality headsets include:
Social networks
The second application is ultimately quite close to the first. Indeed, to understand all this, it must be seen that Oculus after an initial success will not be long in being redeemed.
This redemption, it will be recorded by Facebook and we suspect that when a group like that bought the Oculus, it was to push in this area. From then on, we saw new social networks appear.
The goal is simple, you arrive in a place such as a virtual bar for example and you will be able to discuss with the other people present on site. Again, the main obstacle to all of this is the cost of equipment for private use.
However, the big advantage is that, for example, when we see the restrictions applied because of the Coronavirus, we can continue to maintain social ties via this virtual reality which allows us to always go out and discuss, even to play with it. doing.
Aviation
One of the historical applications of virtual reality is quite simply the field of aviation. Indeed, training pilots is long and above all expensive in terms of equipment and fuel.
So, it is quite logical that this virtual reality did not take long to become more democratic. You have surely already seen these famous simulators which take the form of an airplane cockpit and allow you to simulate a flight.
We can then simulate everything, whether it is the weather conditions or even different damages for train pilots to face all situations. It is so practical that today it is one of the major applications of virtual reality in the professional world.
Real estate and museums
Finally, the last application, we had a little revealed to you in the article when we took the example of museums. Access to these museums is sometimes complicated whether it is because of the closures or simply the distance.
But today, with virtual reality, you will be able to visit a museum on the other side of the planet without leaving your home. In terms of access to culture, this is something very important for the future.
In the same way, if you can virtually visit a museum, you can do it with a house. An effective way to avoid long trips to visit properties and therefore save time for you and the agency.
In summary, with virtual reality we can:
- Provide an even more immersive gaming experience.
- Continue to see social relationships with friends.
- Train airplane pilots.
- Have access to distant museums.
- To be able to make remote visits to real estate.