We are finding more and more applications for extended reality in our lives that help us enjoy interactive and sensory experiences in real or fictitious environments. Extended reality (XR) is the area including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). This technology can be used in different settings in order to improve efficiency for companies, basic services such as education and health, or simply for entertainment.
First, the different technologies within the realm of extended reality should be distinguished:
-Virtual reality applications create a world parallel to the environment around the user. This world is normally is viewed through special VR headsets. Users can then interact with that world. One of the biggest advantages of this technology is that the person interacting with the virtual world is completely immersed in it, so the world can be controlled completely to make them feel emotions and even make them modify behavior. It is very useful for simulations and preparing people to confront new situations. However, when used in class, it isolates the user from the others. There are new collaborative virtual reality applications that allow multiple people to enter the virtual world and interact with it together. Under the category of virtual reality we can include 360º videos, which project real images recorded with a 360 VR video camera, which creates an almost real environment. There are currently a number of applications that allow users to interact with environments recorded in 360 degrees, allowing them to actively participate in decision-making that will bring them to one scenario or another. One example of virtual reality is the simulated world portrayed in the film The Matrix. A few examples of virtual reality devices include the HTC VIVE Pro headset (made by HTC), the Oculus Rift S and Oculus Quest headsets (by Facebook), and models compatible with Google Cardboard, which work with standard smartphones.
A project funded by European Union
A project funded by European Union