Explore The Future of Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality (VR) is a computer-generated environment with scenes and objects that appear to be real, making the user feel they are immersed in their surroundings.
The goal of VR is to provide human beings with a virtual environment where we can interact with a computer just as we do in the real world, that is, by talking with a virtual human in a spoken language, by writing a letter, or by drawing a picture, and a lot more.
History
The concept of virtual reality (VR) has been explored by various researchers and inventors over time, making it difficult to attribute its invention to a single individual. However, several key figures have played significant roles in the development and popularization of VR technology:
Morton Heilig: Heilig is often credited with creating one of the earliest immersive experiences with his invention, the Sensorama, in 1962. Although not a full-fledged VR system, the Sensorama stimulated multiple senses, including sight, sound, smell, and touch, providing a precursor to immersive environments.
Ivan Sutherland: Sutherland is known for his pioneering work in computer graphics and human-computer interaction. In 1968, he developed the first head-mounted display (HMD) system called “The Sword of Damocles,” which laid the foundation for modern VR headsets.
Jaron Lanier: Lanier, a computer scientist and entrepreneur, popularized the term “virtual reality” and co-founded VPL Research in the 1980s, one of the first companies to develop and sell VR products. He contributed to the development of VR gloves and other input devices.
Scott Fisher: Fisher is known for his work on immersive virtual environments at NASA’s Ames Research Center in the 1980s. He developed the Virtual Environment Workstation Project, which explored VR applications for training and simulation.
Palmer Luckey: Luckey is the founder of Oculus VR, a company that played a significant role in revitalizing interest in VR technology in the 2010s. Oculus Rift, the company’s flagship VR headset, helped usher in the modern era of consumer-grade VR.
| Pros and Cons of VR | |
| Pros | Cons |
| Better than reality | High cost |
| Used in various fields | Communication should not be replaced for group of people |
| User have awesome experiences | Feeling of worthlessness |
| Gives detail views | Users addict to the virtual world |
| Connects with people | Technology is still experimental |
| Effective communication | Training in VR environment is not real |
It’s important to recognize that VR technology has been shaped by the collective efforts of countless researchers, engineers, and innovators over many decades.
You might think you’ve experienced VR, and you might have been pretty impressed. Particularly if you’re a gamer, there are some great experiences to be had out there (or rather, in there) today.
But over the next few years, in VR, as in all fields of technology, we’re going to see things that make what is cutting-edge today look like Space Invaders. And although the games will be amazing, the effects of this transformation will be far broader, touching on our work, education, and social lives.