Virtual and Augmented Reality
By: Vrinda Lalseta
Tags: Tech, VR, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Enjoy Writing

http://www.etilabs.com/blog/2020/07/21/the-world-of-ar-vr-and-what-it-holds-for-us-in-the-future/ — VR and AR cartoon.

Have you ever been to the Eiffel Tower, whitewater rafting, or the planet, Venus? I’m 99.961% sure the answer is “no” to the last one. What if I told you that you can go there, without having to step out of your house, or even get up from your couch.

How?

The answers are virtual reality and augmented reality.

But, what are they?

Photo by David Dvořáček on Unsplash — Someone wearing a VR headset and using controllers, facing a wall.

Virtual Reality (VR)

VR uses computer technology to simulate many surroundings in 3D. A user sometimes wears a headset (with integrated speakers most of the time) and gets placed in a different place — a different world­. The headset simulates vision, hearing, touch, and even smell! There are four types of VR: non-immersive, semi-immersive, fully immersive, and true immersive.

Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash — Two people playing a soccer game on a PlayStation.

Non-Immersive VR

Believe it or not, you most likely use non-immersive VR everyday. Non-immersive VR is just a normal videogame or TV shows and movies — you just use a mouse, joystick, or remote to interact with the game environment or to, well, watch TV. You are in two different environments and can control what’s happening in both — the real world and the virtual world. Non-immersive VR is the least interactive and immersive out of all of the types of VR, but it is not boring or useless. Non-immersive VR is used for gaming (including other forms of entertainment), healthcare, and design.

➼ Gaming: Non-immersive VR in gaming is just normal device gaming — PCs, IPads, PlayStations, that sort of thing.

➼ Healthcare: Non-Immersive VR in healthcare has been used during the last decade-ish in medical research studies. The “immersive techniques” can reduce the need for taking medicines for decreasing physical pain and improving emotional health without any interference. There was a study which showed that. The researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to track how patients react to pain caused by high temperatures while they experienced non-immersive VR. Non-immersive VR is more effective in this than fully-immersive VR.

➼ Design: Using non-immersive VR, anything can be created! All that has to be done is use a 3D design website like Blender, and you have your design! (After you actually do the work for it.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcqXZI6VXtk — Someone in a plastic car looking at a few screens. They are using semi-immersive VR.

Semi-Immersive VR

Semi-immersive VR is like non-immersive VR, but it is more interactive. The video shows an example of this type of VR. There are four things semi-immersive VR can be used for: entertainment, construction, education, automotive, and aviation.

➼ Entertainment: An example of entertainment and semi-immersive VR is the video above. You are watching something on a screen, but there is also a realistic feeling of movement.

➼ Construction: Semi-immersive VR can create simulations of tools that are used on a construction site. This can save a lot of money, and it is safer. CM Labs made a simulation of using a crane to help people get used to how it is going to be in the real world.

➼ Education: Students can learn visually with semi-immersive VR. There was a study that showed students visualize 2D and 3D shapes better when using semi-immersive VR.

➼ Automotive: Semi-immersive VR in the automotive industry is the same thing as it is with construction, but this time, people get to practice fixing a car.

➼ Aviation: Aviation is also the same thing as construction and the automotive industry, but people get to practice taking off, flying, and landing a plane. It feels real because the people in the simulation are in a cockpit that can be interacted with, and there are screens that are watched by the people to see where they are going.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/vr-that-lets-you-play-against-friends-it-s-now-in-india/story-OLGT38UoSShfJPmmfU4gQM.html — Someone wearing a VR headset and backpack in a different world.

Fully-Immersive VR

Fully-immersive VR is where you are, well, fully immersed in a virtual world. When people think of VR, they mostly think of this type. You can interact with the real world, but not very well. The virtual worlds are very realistic to ensure a great user experience. When you turn your head with the headset on, it is like turning your head in real life — you just see a slightly different view.

https://www.wkbw.com/entertainment/tesla-suit-unveiled-at-ces-2019-takes-virtual-reality-to-new-heights — 2 people wearing a TESLASUIT and VR headsets holding imaginary guns.

True-Immersive VR

True-immersive VR is the same as fully-immersive VR, except there is more equipment, and you are even more immersed in the world than you are with fully-immersive VR. With true immersive VR, the user gets to use all of their senses (except taste — yet). I think true-immersive VR is the coolest type of VR. I mean, who wouldn’t agree with me?

Photo by UNIBOA on Unsplash — Someone holding a phone with a virtual log added to the table the phone is pointed at.

Augmented Reality (AR)

AR is where you add a virtual item to the real world or modify a real item through a device. Pokémon GO would be an example of adding a virtual item. There are six different types of AR: image-based, markerless, marker-based, location-based, projection, and superimposition.

Image-Based AR

Image-based AR is where a virtual object gets added to a location in the real world. Let’s take a phone as an example device. You can point its camera at a place, and an object will appear. The object is there, but not actually there at the same time. You will need an app for this, though!

https://www.onirix.com/learn-about-ar/the-different-types-of-augmented-reality/ — Three examples of image-based AR.

Markerless AR

Markerless AR, also known as simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) is like image-based AR, but this time, you get to choose exactly where you place the object. IKEA Place would be an example of markerless AR. Using the phone example again, you can choose what object to place, then choose where to place it. From there, you can move closer and farther in real life to just look at the object from a different perspective.

https://www.onirix.com/learn-about-ar/the-different-types-of-augmented-reality — Placing a table with drawers using markerless AR.

Marker-Based AR

Marker-based AR is like markerless AR, but to add an object in, there has to be a trigger. A QR code would be an example. Using the phone example for the third time, the phone just has to hover over the code, and voila! A virtual 3D object has appeared!

https://appreal-vr.com/portfolio/ — Plane flying over a code to let it pop out.

Location-Based AR

Location-based AR is where you can learn about the place in front of you. Using a phone as an example again (last time, I promise), all you have to do is just point in the direction of a place, then click on the icon that pops up. Location-based AR can also be used as a Global Positioning System (GPS). There can be a trail to follow as you walk, drive, etc. Pretty cool, right?

https://www.onirix.com/learn-about-ar/the-different-types-of-augmented-reality/ — Location-based AR pointing out people and objects, and showing a trail to a destination.

Projection AR

Projection AR (also known as spatial AR), projects something onto a real-life object that can be interacted with. No need for a phone this time! You do need a projector, though.

https://primefeed.in/news/3778096/future-revenue-generation-and-business-scope-of-augmented-reality-in-healthcare-market/ — Someone’s arm showing a call happening using projection AR.

Superimposition

Superimposition is very common. It uses object detection. Snapchat and Instagram filters would be examples. After the object is detected, something virtual pops up on your device. See? I’m not going to use a phone as an example this time!