What Is Virtual Reality?

Date First Published: 17th August 2023

Topic: Computer Systems

Computer Software

Article Type: Computer Terms & Definitions

Difficulty: Medium

Difficulty Level: 5/10

CONTENTS

Types Of Virtual Reality
Advantages and Disadvantages Of Virtual Reality
Difference Between Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

Learn about what virtual reality is in this article.

Virtual reality, abbreviated to VR, is the use of computer technology to create an imitation of a three-dimensional image that can be interacted with by putting on special equipment, such as glasses and headphones. It can be known as a pretend sense of reality provided by a computer system, as suggested in the word 'virtual'.

Virtual reality is often used in entertainment like video games to give users a more interesting experience. It is also used in education, like medical training, to teach and practice complex surgeries. Standard virtual reality systems can either use virtual reality headsets or multi-projected environments to generate realistic images, sounds, and other sensations that mimic a user's physical presence in a virtual environment and block out their physical surroundings.

Types Of Virtual Reality

The four main types of virtual reality are:

Non-immersive virtual reality - The simplest form of virtual reality. The user has some control over the 3D simulated environment, but the virtual environment does not directly interact with the user. A 3D image that can be interactively explored using a personal computer by pressing keys so that the content of the image moves in some direction or zooms in or out is an example of non-immersive virtual reality.
Semi-immersive virtual reality - Offers a partial virtual experience that mostly focuses on the visual 3D aspect of virtual reality. It does not have movement in the same way that fully-immersive virtual reality does. Semi-immersive virtual reality allows the user to be in a different reality, whilst being connected to their physical surroundings. It is often used in education or for training purposes.
Fully-immersive virtual reality - Offers a full virtual experience and provides the greatest level of virtual reality. The user is fully immersed in the virtual 3D world by having sight, sound, and sometime touch. Fully-immersive virtual reality gives the user the most realistic virtual experience. The user needs to wear the proper VR glasses or a head mount display (HDR) to experience and interact with the fully-immersive virtual reality.
Collaborative virtual reality - People from different locations interact with each other in a virtual environment. Each user is represented as a 3D character and they usually communicate using microphones and headsets. 3D multiplayer games, collaborative engineering software, and collaborative learning applications are examples of collaborative virtual reality.

Advantages and Disadvantages Of Virtual Reality

The advantages of virtual reality are:

It provides a more interesting experience to users. The VR technology allows users to get a feel of the real locations, the real sounds, and sometimes the real senses of video games and education.
It often gives detailed views of places. For example, virtual reality can allow users to see the real locations of places, allowing them to plan a trip. This allows people to experience the world in ways they never could before.
It gives an interesting experience of interacting with the people. Users all around the world can interact with each other as 3D characters, encouraging engagement.

The disadvantages of virtual reality are:

People can easily become addicted to it. This can have a negative impact on productivity, increase procrastination, and cause people to avoid tasks and responsibilities.
It can promote dishonesty. Some people use collaborative virtual reality to pretend to be someone they're not.
Implementation can be expensive. The technology, computing power, and equipment used in virtual reality can be expensive, so it is not affordable by all.

Difference Between Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

Although virtual reality and augmented reality share similar things, they are two different technologies. The main difference between virtual reality and augmented reality is that virtual reality is completely virtual and replaces the user's surroundings with a virtual environment. Augmented reality uses a real-world setting and combines digital content with the user's actual surroundings.