VR and AR Technologies

The concept of virtual reality(VR) dates back to sci‑fi stories of the 1930s, but the second half of the 20th century saw video game designers bring these fictional technologies to life. Released in 1980, Battlezone is considered the first VR game. In the 1990s, Sega designed motion‑tracking gaming headsets, but they never took off. Interest in VR was later regained in the 2010s when Oculus VR launched the visually realistic Oculus Rift headset, and VR has become more advanced and widely available ever since.

VR is a technology that draws you into three‑dimensional computer‑generated worlds. Combined with equipment such as headsets and sensory‑fitted gloves, VR allows you to interact with simulated (模拟的) landscapes and sets. As this innovative technology offers the chance to experience different environments without stepping outside into the real world, VR is being used to revolutionize different industries.

In education, VR teaching aids help students increase their geographical knowledge by exploring virtual ecosystems or conduct experiments on 3D models in biology. The healthcare sector has embraced VR’s safe, controlled environments for both staff and patients. For instance, simulated surgeries can prepare surgeons for operations, while the distraction of another world can reduce a patient’s pain‑related brain activity.

VR can be used for pure entertainment, too. Users can influence plots of shows or travel with virtual tours. Another area that VR is shaking up is the gaming industry, as it enhances a game’s storytelling by making players part of its world.

But VR isn’t the only cutting‑edge technology being used to transform multiple industries. Augmented (增强的) reality (AR) also offers another version of reality, but there are key differences. While VR creates a separate world to our own, AR changes our world by integrating it with virtual content. Perhaps the most famous application of AR is Pokémon GO, a game where players find virtual creatures in real locations via their smartphone cameras. Its portable, accessible equipment, such as smartphones or tablets, means it’s more widely used. For instance, you can travel in an unfamiliar city by using AR walking directions through your phone. Both AR and VR are industries set to boom and change reality as we know it.