Report on Virtual Reality Immersive Form

The topic of this report is the Immersive form known as Virtual Reality Technology.

Immersion 2014, an Immersive Education Initiative brings together leading experts on Immersion forms and immersion technology in Los Angeles, California, June 6-8, 2014.  The iED Summit presents a robust schedule of presentations for a number of tracks, such as “Arts and Culture”, “Entertainment”, “Human-Computer Interaction”, etc.  Presentations by a number of experts on immersive forms are available in each track and address and cover a wide range of applications within these tracks.  There is a tremendous amount of information available at the summit website: http://summit.ImmersiveEducation.org  where you can explore new forms and applications of immersive technology.

Virtual Reality Technology, the topic of this report has many applications that I will explore in more detail; not only the applications but the hardware that is used to create the technology and how it is delivered.  Virtual Reality Technology applications appears to be a topic of interest at the latest iED summit. In the Education track Dr. Saadia Kahan presents The Power of Avatars in Educational Virtual Worlds and in Immersion 2014’s Business and Economics track, Morris May presents: The Real Business of R: No Longer Just a Hollywood Dream But a Medium that Can Transform Nearly Every Industry.

The Immersive form known as Virtual Reality (VR) is also known as “immersive multimedia”.

It is a visual “environment” that is created by a computer that imitates real environments.  This has really incredible opportunities for many situations.  The ability to experience real places, real environments, and other experiences from one location is amazing.  The applications of this technology form are significant and varied.

The equipment or hardware used to deliver virtual reality products are varied. Usually, the delivery method for virtual reality environments is on a computer screen. Another common delivery system is goggles like this Samsung Gear VR.   These goggles unlike regular glasses, display two images at the same time through polarized lenses, one for each eye. This technique makes the images appear 3 dimensional.

One common use of these goggles is gaming another is training as indicated by this Navy Personnel picture.  The goggles are simulating an environment in which this individual can experience parachuting without leaving the ground.  The impact of this technology in the training arena is enormous.  It provides a simulated experience without the "danger" or risk factor involved, allowing the trainee to develop skills without the risk. This use has been expanded to training in many industries and learning institutions.

This video "top 5 Virtual Reality gadgets of the future demonstrates a number of virtual reality full body interactive delivery systems.  The first gadget is a full body suit called the PrioVR has highly sensitive sensors that detect body movement that is then captured on the VR screen. Multiple individuals can "play" at the same time in the same environment making the experience very real. 

Another one of the full body delivery system is called the "stem tracking system".  This is a wireless system that attaches to various parts of your body.  This system provides freedom of movement while participating in a virtual reality environment without the prior hazard of getting tangled in attachment wires.