Virtual Reality Equipment
Virtual reality equipment includes the headset, which displays the virtual world and lenses that make it look 3D to the user. It also includes a computer that processes the VR simulation, and handheld controllers to manipulate objects in the virtual world.
The Wachowski siblings’ film The Matrix brought the idea of simulated reality into mainstream culture. Jaron Lanier founded VPL Research Labs, which produced early VR equipment such as the finger-tracking gloves known as Data Gloves.
The Headset
Whether it’s to play immersive games or explore virtual environments, the most important part of any VR setup is the headset. This device consists of displays that show the virtual world, lenses that make it look 3D to the eyes, and audio components that amplify the sounds and play them through speakers or headphones. Some headsets also feature motion control systems that track the movements of a user’s hands and fingers, or even facial expressions with some models.
The first precursor to today’s headsets was developed in 1961 by engineers at the Philco Corporation. It called it the Headsight, and although it wasn’t a true virtual reality headset it was virtual reality equipment an early step in the technology. It was used by the military to allow soldiers to remotely view dangerous situations.
Some of the latest headsets offer a field of view that approaches the human eye’s natural 200 to 220 degrees, which can help users feel more immersed in a game or experience. They may also have a refresh rate of 60 or more frames per second, which can improve animation quality and reduce motion sickness.
Many headsets have a wired option, which requires a tethered connection to a computer and power source. Others are wireless, which is much more convenient and provides the user with greater mobility.
The Computer
A computer is a machine that performs logical operations at a very high speed. It accepts input in digits or binary and delivers an output that is often displayed on a screen. It can also store information for easy access and retrieval. It is used for many different purposes, including helping the disabled, writing letters and documents, making calculations, and playing games. Computers are incredibly consistent, as they operate trillions of processes without error for hours on end.
A lot of the work that goes into creating a VR experience is done by the computer. For example, the popular game Fallout 4 is a great example of a VR experience that uses a computer to process data and create a virtual world for the user to interact with. It takes a huge amount of power to run such a large application, and that is why it is important to choose a VR headset that has a high powered computer inside it.
Another good example of a computer that is used for VR is Fuzor, which allows users to instantly turn Revit and Sketchup models into VR experiences. It is a powerful tool that is perfect for construction professionals who need to visualize their projects quickly and accurately. Another great tool is Twinmotion, which allows AEC industry professionals to turn their designs into virtual reality experiences with ease.
The Sensors
Sensors are a key component of most VR systems as vr box they detect movement and provide accurate data to the headset or controllers. To do this, they need to be able to sense the position of the wearer’s head and hands. This is accomplished with an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) which combines an accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer.
The IMU translates the user’s movement into a set of axes that can be read by the computer, this is how virtual reality works. It’s what makes the headset so immersive, by allowing you to look around and move your body freely in a 3D world.
This is made possible by the IMU sensors which convert the head and hand movements into a set of 3DOF, or degrees of freedom. It allows the system to understand the relative position of the head and hands and orient the images on the display.
Another sensor that is essential for VR is the magnetometer, which fuses acceleration and gyroscope data to calculate the head position. This is used to correct the orientation of the displays and reduces the ‘heading drift’ which occurs over time.
Other sensors are being added to VR equipment to give the wearer more control and functionality such as the Teslasuit, which tracks the movement of the users’ hands and fingers. This information is relayed to the VR headset via the tracking system and gives the user the ability to interact with objects in the virtual world and provides haptic feedback.
The Controllers
For VR to work, users need something to control. While keyboards and mice are efficient tools for PC gaming, they aren’t designed to fit in your hands and they don’t have the ability to track a range of movements that VR controllers can.
Game controllers vary in shape, size and button layout, but they all have one thing in common: they translate your input into commands for the computer. Creating ergonomic controllers that can be used comfortably for long sessions of gameplay takes months of design and testing.
As the headset and computer get more sophisticated, so do the controllers that help you navigate and play games in a virtual world. Cheaper headsets use onboard sensors to track the position of the headset and controllers within a virtual environment, while more expensive models require the installation of base stations around the room for greater accuracy.
During the Crisis on Infinite Earths, it is revealed that the Controllers are an offshoot of the Maltusians who have settled on the planet Oa. While the Guardians of the Universe strive to contain evil, the Controllers see it as a threat that must be destroyed. The Controllers created their own corps of interstellar peacekeepers, called the Darkstars, to compete with the Guardians’ Green Lantern Corps. The Darkstars are armed with crimson exo-mantles that channel the power of vengeance and can transform objects on a molecular level.
