Devices

Virtual reality is a digital technology that allows a user to become immersed in a 3D environment that can be a reconstruction of reality, based on scans, or a model created from imagination of a creator. Once created, these environments are usually viewed using a VR headset or in an immersive room. The goal is to give users an experience as close as possible to reality. Ideally, a virtual reality experience should be designed so that users find it difficult to tell the difference between what is real and what is not.

Augmented reality superimposes virtual images and interactions on to a real world experience, developed in applications, and used on mobile devices. Both technologies can work alongside each other in order to create immersive rather than passive experiences (as with a video). However, users are able to interact with virtual content in the real world and distinguish between the two.

The technology to experience Virtual Reality: headphones such as Oculus, Samsung Gear, HTC Vive, Google glasses. Although the cardboard models are available from € 10, a good quality headset starts at around € 400.

AR devices are often self-contained so unlike VR headsets, do not need other hardware to work. Two of the best quality, more robust tablets used for the project are the Huawei MediaPad and the Samsung S4, both starting at around 300€.

The main features we plan to use as part of the VISTA solution are:

• Immersive VR experiences via a headset
• AR applications on a tablet / smartphone
• Interactive models in AR
• Immersive VR room