Pixeld: Crafting Your Virtual Reality


Maya Chen Avatar

Pixeld: Crafting Your Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality
medium.com

Virtual Reality, known as VR, is no longer science fiction. (Sultan, 2024) stated that it’s a powerful technology that lets you step into a simulated environment and interact with it realistically. Imagine exploring different places without leaving and all from the comfort of your home. But Virtual Reality isn’t just one big thing. There are various types of VR, each with its features and uses. 

Non-Immersive VR: non-immersive VR acts as the gateway to the world of VR. It utilizes familiar equipment like a computer monitor or mobile device screen. While interaction is limited, it provides a taste of VR experiences. 

Semi-Immersive VR: imagine a curved movie screen or a projector system. This type of VR offers a broader view and even tracks your head movements within the virtual world, making it feel more natural. 

Fully Immersive VR: This VR experience takes you to the next level. Here, users wear a head-mounted display (HDM) that creates a complete 360° virtual view. The HDM tracks movements, allowing users to navigate and interact with objects in the virtual world, just like in the real world. 

Collaborative VR: imagine a virtual space where multiple people can come together, play, and interact. This collaborative VR allows users to interact socially and work within the virtual setting. It is an ideal solution for virtual meetings and conferences, allowing for remote teamwork on a project and even facilitating product development. 

Virtual Reality Inc.: The Companies Shaping VR

Virtual Reality (VR) has taken the world, offering an experience for entertainment, training, and even social interaction. But with so many companies taking your attention, choosing suitable applications can be overwhelming. 

CompanyFeaturesProsCons
Meta (Oculus)Oculus Quest standalone headsets
Wide range of VR content
Strong developer support
Market Leader
User-friendly hardware
Large content library
Reliant on Facebook account
Privacy concerns
HTC ViveHigh-end PC
Connected VR systems
Focus on precision tracking 
Open platform
Excellent visuals and tracking 
Room-scale VR experience
Supports customization
Requires powerful PC
Expensive compared to standalone headsets
Sony PlayStation VRIntegrates with PlayStation console 
Affordable entry point 
Large library of PlayStation
Compatible VR games
Easy to setup 
Strong brand recognition 
Large and diverse game library
Primarily focused on gaming 
Tethered to console 
Lower resolution compared to high-end options
Valve IndexHigh-resolution displays 
Finger tracking controllers
Wide field of view
Excellent visuals and fidelity 
Advanced tracking 
SteamVR ecosystem
Expensive 
Requires powerful PC 
Tethered to PC
Pico InteractiveStandalone VR headsets 
Focus on the Chinese market 
Affordable price point
Gaining traction in Asia 
User-friendly interface
Competitive Pricing
Limited availability outside of China 
The content library is primarily in Chinese
Starline (Google)High-fidelity volumetric video
Spatial audio 
Telepresence effects
Increased sense of connection 
Improved remote collaboration 
Potential applications beyond video calls
Technical limitations 
Accessibility
Privacy concerns

Beyond the Headset: A Balanced Look at VR

Virtual Reality (VR) has opened doors to a new world of experiences. But VR isn’t a purpose solution. Different types of VR cater to diverse needs and preferences. Here are the four main categories of VR, exploring strengths and weaknesses that help you decide what VR experience;

VR typeStrengthsWeaknesses
Non-immersive VRAccessible
Cost-effective
Low barrier to entry
Limited interaction
Less immersive
Semi- Immersive VRWider field of view
Head tracking 
Applications beyond entertainment
Limited interaction with the mouse or keyboard 
Setup requirements
Fully Immersive VRUnparalleled immersion
Rich interaction
Diverse applications
Costly
Technical requirements 
Limited mobility
Collaborative VRSocial interactions like virtual meetings
Remote teamwork
New possibilities like education
Technical requirements in specialized hardware and software
Accessibility
Privacy concerns

Beyond Screen: How VR is Shaping Our World

Virtual reality is rapidly becoming a reality that shapes how we experience entertainment, education, healthcare, and even shopping. According to Marr, Here is the impact of Virtual Reality on society; 

Entertainment: imagine feeling like you’re battling in a video game or rocking out in the front row at a concert. VR creates an experience that transports you to a new world.  

Education: VR simulations put students right in action. Medical students can practice surgery virtually, and engineers can see complex machinery in 3D. Virtual field trips and interactive lessons make learning engaging and memorable.

Healthcare: VR is even helping doctors. It’s used to diagnose diseases and treat things like anxiety and PTSD. Also, VR therapy makes physical rehab more interactive, assisting patients in recovering faster. 

Tourism: VR tours let you explore far-flung destinations from the comfort of your home, which can help you plan your next vacation. Hotels and resorts use VR to create experiences that entice potential guests (Marr, 2021). 

THE EVOLVING CANVAS: The Next Horizon

Future of Virtual Reality
ediiie.com

Virtual Reality (VR) has established a powerful technology with significant present and future. However, VR’s potential extends far beyond these initial applications. The virtual reality technology continues to develop and become accessible as the years pass by, and we can expect more extraordinary transformations; 

Imagine school trips where you can walk with animals and explore the oceans. VR could make learning way more exciting. Even doctors could practice surgery in detailed virtual worlds. 

Virtual reality is becoming a new way to connect with people. Imagine going to concerts with friends from anywhere in the world or having work meetings in cool virtual spaces. 

As VR gets more straightforward to use, more people will be able to experience it. People with disabilities might be able to do things they never could before in faraway places.