Defining VR

Unit 1 - Introduction to Virtual Reality

1.2 Defining VR

Before we get into more examples, let's take a step back and make sure we are clear on definitions. As you are exploring the use of Virtual Reality you will hear multiple terms; Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR) and Extended Reality (XR).

XR is an umbrella term that encompasses all of the other 'reality' types. It is short for eXtended Reality.

VR refers to immersive virtual experiences. This can be either real world 360 degree videos or it could be completely computer generated environments. An example of these are apps that would allow you to conduct a virtual home visit or allow a hospice patient the ability to virtually travel without leaving their care facility. These are typically accessed using some sort of headset, such as the oculus quest or google cardboard. These are the types of environments that we will be focusing upon in this mini course, because we feel these have the most potential for Social Work practice and education.

AR experiences occur when computer generated content is over layed on real world environments. Some well known examples of this are pokemon go, and the use of QR codes. In both these instances, you use a mobile device to access images or information pertinent to a real world environment. Another example of this is the heads up display that jet fighter pilots see in their helmets when flying their planes. Developers are using AR to train people how to use specific equipment or fix complex things. Imagine having to fix an engine or an appliance, and being able to scan that device with your phone and then your phone would pull up a 3d schematic of that device, detail how you take it apart, and show you how to check for specific issues.

MR is like AR but it allows you to make virtual changes to real physical spaces. An example of this would be an apps that will allow you to take a picture of a room in your house and then use the app to change the room colors so you can decide how you want to paint the room. There are also apps that will allow you to virtually place furniture in the space, so that you can see how something might look in your room prior to purchasing it. MR encompases any application that allows you to make virtual changes or interactions with a real space.

The next quick video will go into more detail on the differences between VR and AR, the two terms that you will hear the most about.

If you would like to learn more about the differences in definitions see: https://www.viget.com/articles/xr-vr-ar-mr-whats-the-difference/

Technologies for Accessing Immersive VR

This course will focus primarily upon the use of Immersive VR. With Immersive VR you typically need some form of head mounted display (HMD). There are a wide variety of HMDs available depending upon price and the capabilities of the device.

The cheapest and most available option is the google cardboard or similar plastic headsets that allow you to use either an android or apple mobile phone. With these devices you slide your phone into the headset and it allows you to have a very basic VR experience. It will track head movements, looking up or down, left or right, but it will not track whether a user has actually moved. This is called 3 degrees of freedom (DoF). Interaction with objects in the virtual environment is also very limited.

More expensive headsets allow for 6 degrees of freedom. With these headsets, they can track head movements and also lateral movement by the user. For more information on the differences between 3 and 6 DoF see Virtual Speech. These headsets typically also have hand held controllers that allow the user to interact with objects in the VR environment.

Headsets with 6 DoF can either be standalone headsets (such as the oculus quest or quest 2) or they can require an expensive gaming computer to which they must attach (oculus rift). Headsets in these categories typically cost $300-$500, if they require a PC this can add an additional $1200-$2000 to the cost.

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