On the 22nd day of the A2Z Challenge 2019, I shall talk about the A2Z of Virtual Reality. Imagine that you want to visit Switzerland to spend your summer vacation or how about a trip to the Moon? Sounds exciting, isn’t it? But, if I tell you that you can do both simply by sitting at home. Yes, it’s true. You can visit any place of our choice by sitting at home. No, I am not talking about any TV shows or videos. I am talking about a ‘near-real-life’ experience.  This is possible because of VR (Virtual Reality).

VR is a three-dimensional artificial environment that is created with the help of a computer in such a way that the user accepts it as a real environment. The user gets immersed in the environment and can perform actions in that environment. In the real world, we need five senses – taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing. But, VR primarily requires two of the five senses – sight and hearing.

The A2Z of Virtual Reality

The VR environment is usually created using computer technology. To simulate our senses and to give the users an immersive experience, they are provided with headsets, special gloves and other accessories. This is useful in doing those things that are dangerous or expensive to do in reality.

The VR must track the eye and head movements of the user in real-time. The system should respond instantaneously to each and every movement of the user.  The user should be able to “look around” the artificial world, move around in it, and interact with the objects. The ensures that the environment remains realistic and enjoyable. A delayed response leads to a negative impact on your perception and cognition. The user becomes aware that they are in the artificial world.

Developers use VRML (Virtual Reality Modelling Language) to create artificial worlds. In VRML, they specify the images and the rules for their display and interaction.