Virtual Reality the Start to Something New?

Virtual reality (VR) is a fast-growing technology but remains inaccessible to many.

Why are we sitting here instead of attending class virtually from home? How could we do that?

Virtual reality is a computer-generated environment. It can be almost anywhere or anything. This environment is often presented and experienced using some combination of computer monitors, 3 dimensional (3D) goggles, stereo headphones, and even tactile feedback through the use of various devices.

The term “VR” is popularly used for commercial systems created to work with high-end personal computers, usually including 3D goggles, stereo sound, position sensors, and a pair of input devices- one for each hand, similar to Wii remote controls.

Currently, the most popular use for VR is gaming. It is also used for training, especially for complicated or dangerous jobs. 

One of the oldest uses is to introduce pilots to dangerous situations so they can learn to react without destroying aircraft/spacecraft or hurting anyone. Some equipment, such as drones, can be operated remotely using VR.

VR is also used to simulate buildings or other expensive, complex objects so they can be explored and improved prior to a resource commitment. 

Other uses include teaching long-term inmates how to do everyday tasks such as driving, using an ATM, or using self-checkout at a grocery store.

Remote ‘tourism’ allows people to experience popular destinations around the world and is becoming a popular use for the technology.

In a recent campus survey, most students interviewed had heard of virtual reality but had little to no contact with it. The few who had used such a system generally did not own them personally but had used one at a friend’s house. Those who had used it really liked it and those who had heard of it had heard good things about it.

This points out one of the biggest difficulties companies face when trying to expand their market- VR is difficult to show using other more prevalent forms of media. It is hard to show how it feels to be immersed in a complete 3D world using a single screen. 

People are used to taking in media from a small monitor, while VR immerses you in a full, 360 degree, motion tracked, high definition world. Imagine selling the Blu-Ray movie experience on a 19-inch low-resolution television.

The question remains, will VR become important to the general public? Given the technological progression we are constantly experiencing, it seems inevitable.  It may take some time since the technology is now seen as a gimmick. 

Like many game-changing technologies, it is likely to become common in a single sudden step, when it becomes popular, or when a certain piece of technology is invented (like how those iconic white earbuds helped the iPod revolution).

At the Green River College main campus, Andrew Valmonte, a Green River student, plans on opening a VR Club to raise awareness and bring the expensive technology to more students. He believes that, “VR is the next evolution of human interactions with computers,” and hopes to make the club open to all at a public space like a library or computer lab. 

Allowing many people to experience this new technology may be what finally popularizes this interesting form of media.