VIRTUAL REALITY

What is virtual reality (VR)?

Virtual reality refers to a computer-generated three-dimensional simulation of reality that can be experienced through specialized equipment such as VR glasses and controllers. Images, often accompanied by sound, create an immersive experience. The user feels as if they are physically present in this virtual world. Virtual reality often allows for interactivity.

Let's look at teora® mind as an example. To use the application, you need VR glasses (also known as a head-mounted display) and at least one controller. When you put the VR glasses on and start teora® mind, you can enter a kitchen, for example. The computer-generated virtual image of the kitchen replaces your view of the real world, and nothing else is visible. You can walk through this virtual kitchen, move objects, and operate the coffee machine, for example. The controller allows you to interact with objects. At the touch of a button, you can touch or pick up virtual objects. Movement through the room is achieved by actually walking in the real room.

Virtual reality is now used in many areas. It is often used for entertainment, education, and, in recent years, more and more in medicine. Medical applications include motor therapy, stress reduction therapy, anxiety therapy, and cognitive therapy.

Differences between augmented reality and mixed reality

In contrast to VR, augmented reality (AR) focuses on the real world. As the name suggests, it is enhanced by additional elements. These additional texts, images, or three-dimensional elements can be displayed via external devices such as smartphones. An example of augmented reality is transparent head-up displays (HUDs), which are used in modern vehicles and display information such as speed, traffic signs, or navigation instructions.

Mixed reality (MR) is often equated with augmented reality, as both blend virtual elements with reality. However, it should be seen as a further development of AR. While AR displays additional information on an external screen such as a head-up display, MR aims to seamlessly integrate these elements into the viewer's field of vision, adapting to events in real time. This is achieved, for example, through glasses or contact lenses that only display additional information when it is needed. One medical application of MR is to project X-ray, MRI, or CT images in three dimensions and in color as holograms into the room. MR-based glasses are already being used to assist in surgery.

Extended reality (XR) as a collective term

Extended reality or cross reality is a collective term for all technologies based on a combination of computer-assisted virtual and real environments. These are made accessible via a wide variety of external devices (known as wearables). Extended reality therefore encompasses augmented reality, mixed reality, and virtual reality.