Virtual Reality

By: Shynycia R.
English
 What even is virtual
reality?

Virtual Reality is a computer-generated

simulation of a three-dimensional image or
environment that can be interacted with in
a seemingly real or physical way by a
person using special electronic equipment,
such as a helmet with a screen inside or
gloves fitted with sensors.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

How does it work?
• VR works by placing a small screen, typically a high-resolution LCD
(Liquid Crystal Display) or OLED (Organic Light-Emitting diode)
monitor, within just a few inches of your eyes. This is then augmented
with stereoscopic lenses, distorting the image so that it looks 3D. As
you move your head around, the headset tracks your location and
orientation, adjusting the in-game visuals accordingly, so that your
real-world movements are mimicked in the virtual experience.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

 • Despite first impressions, the
field of virtual-reality
technology continues to
advance, albeit at a slower rate
than technology in other
disciplines. Advances are often
the result of other industries,
like military applications or
even entertainment. Investors
rarely consider the virtual
reality field to be important
enough to fund projects unless
there are specific applications
for the research related to other
industries.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

• Cutting-edge VR projects are
working with tactile sensations
and even smells, but in the
consumer market, VR is
typically limited to vision,
hearing, and handling simple
objects. But you’d be amazed at
what can be done with just these
senses.

• The most important component

in modern-day virtual reality is
the VR headset. This piece of
hardware typically includes the
displays that show the virtual
world, the lenses that make it
appear 3D to your eyes, and
some sort of audio solution, be it
speakers or headphones.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

• That, combined with the all-
encompassing view of the
headset, and that you can see
your motion-tracked hands or
other appendages, makes you
feel like you’re in the virtual
world you’re exploring.

• This is distinctly different from

AR (augmented reality), which
overlays virtual objects onto the
real world. In AR, there are solid
fixed points of reference that
your eyes can use to track and
navigate. In VR, the full
environment is simulated, and
realism is harder to attain.
Sources

• How Virtual Reality Works | HowStu

ffWorks
• What Is VR? A beginner's guide to vi
rtual reality | Digital Trends
• what does oled stand for - Search (b
ing.com)
• What is a LCD - Search (bing.com)
• What is virtual reality - Search (bing.
com)