Today, progress has reached really unprecedented heights, and the new generation is able to use such opportunities for which another 10-15 years ago, people only dreamed. What was mystic and magic, today has become technical progress. One of these moments is a virtual reality. Today we will talk about what VR is and how it is used in various spheres.

Definition of virtual reality

Virtual reality is a Virtual World Created by Technical and Software, Transmitting Man through Touch, Hearing, as well as Vision and, in some cases, smell. It is the combination of all these impacts on the sense of a person in the amount of the name of the interactive world

It, VR, is capable of imitivity to imitate the impact of the surrounding virtual reality per person, but in order to create a truly plausible computer synthesis of reactions and properties within the interactive world, all synthesis processes are calculated, analyzed and output as real-time behavior.

The use of virtual reality is multifaceted: in 99 percent cases of animated and inanimate subjects created by means of such technology, there are exactly such properties, behavior and movement, which there are real prototypes. At the same time, the user is able to provide on all animated and inanimate objects influence according to real laws of physics (if other laws of physics are provided to the gameplay, which happens extremely rarely).

Principle of operation

Many are wondering how the technology is valid. Here are the three main components that are used in almost any interaction with the virtual environment:

1. Head. Virtual environment Carefully, with the help of a specialized headset, keeps track of the position of the head. So, the headset moves the picture according to which of the parties and when the user turns its head - in the side, down or up. Such a system is officially called six degrees of freedom.
2. Movement. In more expensive modifications of technical support, both the movements of the user are tracked, while the virtual picture will move according to them. It is not about games here in which the user is simply located in place and interacts with the environment, but about those where it moves in the virtual space.
3. Eyes. Another fundamental sensor analyzes the direction in which the eyes look. Thanks to this, the game allows the user to plunge into interactive reality more deeply.

Effect of full presence

Already in terms of the term of complete presence, it is clear what exactly the world is: the world is a virtual reality. This means that the user will feel exactly where the game is located, and it can interact with it. The user turns his head - the character turns his head too, the man walks in his room - the player moves into an interactive reality. Still go disputes - is it possible

The LEAP - Tracking your fingers and brushes

The effect of the full presence is achieved at the subject of The LEAP device. This device that uses the complex tracking system of each movement still remains part of very expensive and top helmets. However, the work algorithm is quite simple, and it is present in a slightly modified form in another device, namely in HTC VIVE helmet.

Both the controller and helmet in HTC VIVE are equipped with a plurality of photodiodes - small devices that transform light energy into electrical.

Important moment! In general, a person comes daily with photodiodes and their work. As an example, it is a photodiode responsible for the lighting of the smartphone. The photodiode determines how long the lighting falls on it, and, based on this data, regulates the brightness level

The same principle of complete presence is used in the helmet. Complete with the standard BB helmet, two stations are running, which through time intervals are allowed a pair of rays - this is a horizontal and vertical rays. They permeate the room and get to photodiodes on the device helmet and controller. After that, photodiodes begin their work, and in a few seconds the information data is exchanged, during which the sensors transmit the position of the controllers and helmet.

This is the algorithm for creating a complete presence.

What kind of VR varieties

Officially, there are three varieties of virtual reality:

1. Imitation and computer simulation.
2. Imaginary activity.
3. Cyberspace and hardware.

VR helmets

The main difference between these three gadgets is only in manufacturing companies. Otherwise, they are similar. All three helmets are characterized by portability and ensuring full immersion in the gameplay.

Pros and cons of virtual reality

Pros:

1. The ability to fully plunge into an interactive measurement.
2. Getting new emotions.
3. Prevention of stress.
4. Creation of electronic information and training resources.
5. Conduct conferences.
6. Creating objects of cultural heritage.
7. The ability to visualize various objects and physical phenomena.
8. Opportunity to go to new level Entertainment.

Minuses:

The following points include cons: minuses:

1. Addiction.
2. Another obvious minus: the virtual reality and its psychological impact on a person - it is far from always positive, since there is a risk to plunge into the virtual world, which sometimes entails problems in social and other areas of life.
3. High cost of devices.

Application of virtual reality

VR can be used in such spheres as:

1. Training. Today, interactive reality allows you to simulate the training environment in those areas and for those classes for which necessary and important is preliminary preparation. As an example, it may be an operation, a technique and other spheres.
2. The science. VR makes it possible to significantly speed up the studies of both atomic and molecular peace. In the world of computer reality, a person is able to manipulate even atoms as if it is a constructor.
3. Medicine. As noted, with VR, you can train and train medical professionals: carry out operations, study equipment, improve professional skills.
4. Architecture and design. What could be better than showing the customer a layout of a new home or any other construction object with such reality? It is she who allows you to create these objects in the virtual space, in full, to demonstrate, whereas the manual layouts and imagination used earlier. This applies not only to construction sites, but also technology.
5. Entertainment. VR is insanely popular in the gaming environment. Moreover, the demand is used both games and cultural events and tourism.

VR - is it harmful or not?

So far, it can be noted that no global research in this area has been conducted, but the first conclusions can already be done. Since VR is still just being developed (and this is true), many may appear unpleasant sensations with long use of this technology. In particular, a person will feel dizziness and nausea.

So far there is no evidence that. The negative effect undoubtedly has, but it is not so great to beat the alarm. Therefore, it is still unknown, the virtual reality, what it is - harm or benefit.

VR - What awaits in the future?

Today, virtual reality is not fully completed, therefore unpleasant sensations may appear. In the future, many devices, copies and analogues will appear, which will not adversely act on the human body and the psyche.

Also, VR devices will be able to solve problems with the consumption of information data, and sessions will become the same standard and ordinary, as well as ordinary games on the computer or consoles today.

Output

Virtual reality - so far the bottomless abyss for research and improvement of work algorithms. Today, technologies are progressing very quickly, so it is safe to say that in the near future the market value of the kit will be affected by a person with a middle taste.

1. Learning the equipment

Ask yourself: I am interested in development for desktop devices, like HTC Vive, or more attract me more mobile devices Like Samsung Gear VR or Google Cardboard? If you have not yet decided, then read the reviews and think about what is better to choose for your market. If motion controllers or high-quality graphics are required for your ideas, then focus on the VR glasses connected to the computer. Models that are supported by Unity, Unreal engines and web reials:

Computer VR:

• Photogrammetry and 3D scanning
• Examine the introduction of the spatial positioning of sound from Oculus, as well as this video 3D Audio: Designing Sounds for VR.

4. Implementation of interactivity

After you are highlighting the engine and cook art materials, you will need to come up with how to give your interactivity project. I highly recommend first to read about the principles of building UI and UX in virtual reality. Otherwise, your users can get their eyes from bad decisions on stereoscopic rendering, or they indicate them. This can be avoided, simply by refusing to binding text to the viewing field, or by placing the player's camera while driving in a visible capsule (car, skate, cab). And if you want to implement manual control, I recommend doing everything as realistic as possible - your research efforts and prototyping will be rewarded with a sense of presence.
. Guide explaining various useful principles.

UE4 HTC VIVE - how to interact with the menu using motion controllers.

You will need to master some kind of scripting language. In Unreal Engine 4, an intuitive, schematic scripting system is used. BluePrint Visual Scripting.. By the way, it will be useful for those who have not yet confidently feel in programming at all. General Introduction to BluePrint, this system is quite powerful to make the entire project with it without writing a line of code (although you will use a number of programmer techniques). In general, Unreal uses C ++, and in Unity - C #. Many of those who seek to enter the VR development have very little programming experience, so this stage becomes especially difficult. If you are an independent developer, remember - it is better to start with a small. When you master the basic things, you can go to larger ideas. But start better with. Develop stages, creating several projects, you can make more confident more difficult tasks.

The education system is quite conservative. Despite many innovative developments and discoveries, the educational sector practically does not use revolutionary learning methods, mostly preferring the "classics". But information technologies offer new rules for this sphere - training in the format of augmented reality.

Virtual Reality Learning

First of all, it is worth noting that the supplemented and virtual reality is not the same thing. To create a virtual reality, you will need or glasses that will draw new world. Components for creating virtual reality (powerful and modern "iron", glasses) are quite expensive. Another stumbling block for the introduction of virtual reality in the education scope can be the "contact loss" of the student teacher: a schoolboy travels in a virtual world, forgetting about reality in the classroom.

With an additional reality, things are an order of magnitude easier. Augmented Reality - Innovative Demonstration Method educational material. Sad and very "brought" picture comes to life. This not only does not hinder, but also in more than Promotes (interests) interaction between students and teacher.

Development AR (Ang. Augmented Reality) is quite young - from the moment another 10 years have passed since the creation, and the mass in the education system (even developed countries) is not yet used. Naught wide application She found in the museum business ("revival" of objects) and street advertising.
To bring the system to action, it does not require ingenious and expensive gadgets: the camera (even the camera is suitable in the smartphone), the screen (TV, tablet, phone), softwarecompatible with the existing device and the AR marker. A drawing, drawing can be used as a marker. graphic image or a real object (building, postcard or chocolate). The application identifies the proposed marker and reproduces the graphics object or animation on the screen.

VR makes learning exciting

How it happens in practice. On the desk in front of the student there is a regular textbook. In the illustration in the book, the gadget camera is sent to the software installed. The program recognizes book drawings as a marker, and instead of a flat pattern of the atom, a three-dimensional object appears, which can be considered from all sides. Lessons with augmented reality allow students to become part of what is happening processes as micro- ( molecular level) and macromir (at the level solar system and galaxies). Hardly someone wants to skip such physics lessons.

Also, many people are much easier to perceive information obtained in visual contact, and not through the formula or drawing. In this way this technology will help without extra effort And serious investments overcome the barrier of receiving knowledge for schoolchildren and students. AR will be useful in the development of spatial thinking.

From developing to reality.

Startup Hologroup (Russia) today is actively working on the introduction of the technology of augmented reality into educational weekdays of schoolchildren.
HOLOGROUP has become a laureate of the Independent Prize "Time Innovation-2016" in the category "Computer and Wireless Technologies" in the Nomination "Opening of the Year".

Training in virtual reality format from Holostydy © photo holo.group

The team of specialists is working to develop lessons in AR format adapted to Microsoft Hololens (the application developed by them). Using this application, you can already get acquainted with the device of our planet.
Augmented reality turns monotone lessons to an exciting adventure.

The virtual reality has not yet become part of our everyday life, but at the level of development has already penetrated the spheres from medicine to art and is becoming more and more accessible to the user: the simplest VR glasses are made of cardboard. Gradually, VR finds his place in the field childhood education, significantly changing the learning process itself.

How do technology change education

Immediately say: it is not that applications and gadgets replace schoolchildren textbooks or work in a classroom with a teacher. But modern technologies, such as virtual and complemented reality, can be significantly adding traditional methods And ensure a more complete immersion in the subject of study.

Studies show The Brain May Use Only 20 Percent of Its Memory-Forming Neuronsthat we remember only 20% of what we hear, 30% - from what we see, and up to 90% - from what we do or test during the simulation. Virtual reality allows you to get real presence experience, increasing learning efficiency and the likelihood of memorization.

Walk inside the human body, to make an expedition to Mars, to be inside the chemical reaction of the substance - all this allows you to understand everything entirely and perceive the subject.

In addition, the use modern technologies During school sessions, it seems to children very exciting, they are enthusiastically immersed in the process. If during the traditional lesson, the teacher is difficult to hold the attention of all students, then during a virtual tour, children are fully involved and focused 100%, so the learning process comes with maximum efficiency.

What can I learn in virtual reality

Virtual reality, like no other technology, can provide immersion effect. VR is not an abstract information that the child needs to be remembered, but a full-fledged visual experience in which many easier to learn.

Many VR applications are based on a simple demonstration of 3D objects, a photo or video, but even this fundamentally changes the process of knowledge. And there are already many VR applications in which the user can actively influence the virtual reality and transform it. We picked up a few interesting VR projects to show what a schoolboy can learn and what to find out with their help.

Travel with Google Expeditions

Google app contains hundreds of tours and objects in a virtual or augmented reality, with which you can go on the excavation of archaeologists, make an expedition under water, turn a class into the museum. While the teacher tells, for example, about the ocean, students are "immersed" at the bottom of the ocean and "float" next to the sharks. Or, using augmented reality, the teacher can arrange an eruption of the volcano right in the class, examined and discussed it together with students.

Inexpensive Google Cardboard cardboard glasses together with the Expeditions attachment are already used by teachers in thousands of schools around the world.

Understand complex scientific concepts in Mel Chemistry VR

VR lessons from Mel Science allow you to be inside chemical reactions And see with your own eyes what is happening with particles of substances. Pupils can interact and experiment with atoms and molecules, and the teacher controls the course of the VR-lesson and sees the progress of each student. Powerful visualization and the effect of presence help to understand the essence of chemical phenomena without meaningless combaling formulas.

Tilt Brush draw

This application allows you to draw in virtual reality, where everything you think arises directly from the air. Imagine which explosion of fantasy will cause such possibilities from a creative schoolboy?

Even if the child won't bind his further life with art, it is likely that by the time it will receive professional educationThe design in virtual reality for many specialties will be commonplace. Unfortunately, the VR helmets needed for this program are still quite expensive equipment.

Learn about the structure of the body in Inmind and Incell

Two very beautiful applications, clearly revealing the principles of the brain and cell cells in the form of games. Anatomy inspires VR applications, and interesting decisions In this area you can find a lot. We stopped on these two, because, firstly, these are examples of Russian development (they released the studio Nival VR), and secondly, they are completely free. By the way, medicine is one of the areas where VR technology has already taken a prominent place in science, practice and vocational training.

Get acquainted with the virtual reality in The Lab and create it in Cospaces EDU

Another common type of educational VR applications gives an idea of \u200b\u200bthis technology itself. The Lab - Almanac mini-games demonstrating virtual reality features. From this completely free app Recommended to start acquaintance with VR.

If the child has already become interested in virtual reality, then he can offer a platform for independent creativity. Cospaces EDU is suitable: the 3D constructor can be collected from ready-made objects or build them yourself, and you can write code.

Laboratory of Interactive Graphic United 3D Labs Develops Virtual Reality Solutions (Virtual Reality), including:

• industrial VR simulators;
• simulators in virtual reality;
• museum exposures and interactive Installation VR;
• virtual tours;
• games.

We work with all the common virtual reality glasses - HTC VIVE, HTC Focus, Oculus Rift, Samsung Odyssey, Windows Mixed Reality. We use VIVE Tracking tracking systems, Leap Motion, Myo and Kinect controllers. Use Unreal Engine, Unity and Unigine software.

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Virtual reality, developed by United 3D Labs for the Mirea branch in Fryazino.

Mystery of virtual reality

Virtual Reality (Virtual Reality, VR) is perhaps the most mysterious and popular part of computer graphics. Many fantastic books and films exalt its advantages and frighten possible consequences use. Virtual reality transfers the user to the artificial world created by the developers. Unlike augmented reality, where the basis is the real image transmitted by the camcorder in virtual reality all objects are created in computer graph design programs.

Various applications of virtual reality technologies have been known for several decades, they are actively used in the military sphere, the space industry, medicine. The usual users really faced a virtual reality recently - with the appearance of Oculus Rift and HTC VIVE, as well as all sorts of VR helmets for mobile phones in 2016.

Not only VR glasses

It should be noted that virtual reality is not only glasses and helmets. Multi-screen configurations, Cave rooms (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment), Virtual Reality Video Wall with an angle of review BOLE 180 degrees, etc., all these solutions are also intended to transfer the user to the virtual world. These systems are very expensive and extremely complex from a technical point of view, but at the same time, they have a number of advantages, starting from the main one - the lack of need to wear enough uncomfortable virtual reality glasses.

Application of virtual reality

Of course, first of all, the possibilities opened by VR glasses were seized by the creators computer games - To transfer the user to the virtual world of the game, of course, much more interesting (and promises much big profits) than to show this world on the monitor screen. But with relatively cheap consumer virtual reality glasses there are more serious use. The fact that used to be available only by the military who bought a couple of points for 50 thousand dollars is now available to museums, schools and institutions. All kinds of realistic virtual tours, reconstruction of objects and events, virtual experiments, the ability to see with their own eyes what it is impossible to see in real life - That's just a small part of the possibilities opened by virtual reality points. And of course, industrial enterprises grabbed the unique possibilities of virtual reality for the creation of realistic simulators and simulators.

STANDALONE VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSET

It is worth paying separate attention to the segment of wireless Virtual Reality points, such as HTC Focus or Oculus GO. Of course, they lose their senior collections of Oculus Rift and HTC VIVE on complexity and quality schedules, but they have a huge advantage - mobility. They are not tied with a wire to a stationary computer. A computational power to show projects of the same architectural visualization or a small simulator is quite enough.

Laboratory of Interactive Graphics United 3D Labs invites you to our demosal. We will be happy to show the virtual reality solutions we have developed and demonstrate the basic models of VR glasses existing on the market, tell about their strengths and weaknesses.