1. Introduction
2. What’s Virtual Reality?
3. History
4. Technologies
5. Types of VR
6. Advantages
7. Disadvantages
8. Uses
9. Future Enhancement
10. Conclusion

What’s Virtual Reality ?
Virtual Reality is an artificial environment created with computer hardware and
software and presented to the user in such a way that it appears and feels like a real
environment
. The sense data is fed by some system to our brain.
Virtual Reality allows user to interact with a computer-simulated environment, be it’s a
real or imagined one.
Virtual Reality refer to a high-end user interface that involves real time simulation and
interaction through multiple sensorial channels.

History
1. In 1950, visionary cinematographer “Morton Heilig” built a single user
console called Sensorama. This enabled the user watch television in 3d
ways.

2. In 1961, Philco Corporation engineers developed the first HMD known as the “Headsight”. It is the
first mounted display and Magnetic tracking System .
3. In 1965, Ivan Sutherland expressed his idea of creating virtual or
imaginary world.

4. In 1969, he developed the first system to surround people in 3d
display information.
5. In 1988, commercial development of VR began.
6. In 1991, first commercial entertainment VR system “virtually”
was relased.

Devices Used in VR Technology
1. Head-Mounted Display(HMR): It is a device, worn on the head. A typical
HMD houses two miniature display screen and an optical system that
channels the images from the screen to eyes. As a result, the viewer can look
around and walk through the surrounding virtual environment.

2. CAVE(Cave Automatic Virtual Environment)
• Surround-screen, surround-sound, projected-based VR system.
• Illusion of immersion is created by projecting 3D computer graphics into
a cube composed of display screens that completely surround viewer.
• Coupled with head and hand tracking system.
• Sound system provides audio feedback. Sensors within the room track the
viewers position to align the perspective correctly.

3. 3D Scanner- It is a device that analyses a real-world object or environment to collect data on its shape
and possibly its appearance.
The collected data can then be used to construct digital, 3D models.
4. BOOM(Binocular Omni – Orientation Monitor): It is head-coupled stereoscopic display device. Screens and
Optical system are housed in a box that is attached to a multi-link arm. The user looks into box through two
holes, sees the virtual world, and can guide the box to any position
within the operational volume of the device.

5. Data Gloves: It consists of lightweight nylon with optical sensors mounted along the fingers which accurately and
repeatedly measure the position and movement of the fingers and wrist.
Data Glove are commonly used in VR environments where the user sees an image of the data glove and can manipulate
the movement of the VR environment using the glove.

6. Projectors and Shutter Glasses: The projector has extremely demanding requirements for its graphics hardware. It
consists of 3D projection system, mirrors and projection walls.
Glasses enable us to view virtual images or videos more.

7. Motion Tracking: It Uses a combination of computer chips, sensors and
cameras to record humans in motion . Designed for head and hand tracking
in VR games, simulations, animations and visualizations.

Types of Virtual Reality

Application of Virtual Reality

3. Medical: Healthcare is one of the biggest adopters of VR which
encompasses surgery simulation, phobia treatment, robotic surgery and
skills training.
VR finds its application in nursing, dentistry, health issues for the disabled.

4. Entertainment: The entertainment industry is one of the most enthusiastic advocates of VR, most
noticeably in games and virtual worlds.
Virtual Museum, eg : interactive exhibitions.
Gaming
Virtual theme parks.

Advantages
1. VR enables us to experience the virtual world.
2. User interface
3. Visualization of complicated, large data is helpful for
understanding and analysis.
4. VR offer us a new way to interact with computer.
5. VR is changing our life, eventually VR will increasingly
becomes a part of our life.

Disadvantage
1. Lack of standardizations of hardware and protocols.
2. VR in medical treatment is going through some growing
pains.

Conclusion
Virtual Reality is at a critical design phase. The theories behind its
design and operation are still being written. There are 61,400
international commercial companies producing VR. There are
3,600 educational institution which use VR.