What is Virtual Reality?
Virtual Reality (VR) is the use of computer technology to create a simulated
environment. Unlike traditional user interfaces, VR places the user inside an
experience. Instead of viewing a screen in front of them, users are immersed and able
to interact with 3D worlds. By simulating as many senses as possible, such as vision,
hearing, touch, even smell, the computer is transformed into a gatekeeper to
this artificial world. The only limits to near-real VR experiences are the availability of
content and cheap computing power.
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are two sides of the same coin. You could think
of Augmented Reality as VR with one foot in the real world: Augmented Reality
simulates artificial objects in the real environment; Virtual Reality creates an artificial
environment to inhabit.
In Augmented Reality, the computer uses sensors and algorithms to determine the
position and orientation of a camera. AR technology then renders the 3D graphics as
they would appear from the viewpoint of the camera, superimposing the computer-
generated images over a user’s view of the real world.
In Virtual Reality, the computer uses similar sensors and math. However, rather than
locating a real camera within a physical environment, the position of the user’s eyes
are located within the simulated environment. If the user’s head turns, the graphics
react accordingly. Rather than compositing virtual objects and a real scene, VR
technology creates a convincing, interactive world for the user.
Virtual Reality technology
Virtual Reality’s most immediately-recognizable component is the head-mounted
display (HMD). Human beings are visual creatures, and display technology is often the
single biggest difference between immersive Virtual Reality systems and traditional
user interfaces. For instance, CAVE automatic virtual environments actively display
virtual content onto room-sized screens. While they are fun for people in universities
and big labs, consumer and industrial wearable are the Wild West.
With a multiplicity of emerging hardware and software options, the future of wearable
is unfolding but yet unknown. Concepts such as the HTC Vive Pro Eye, Oculus Quest
and PlayStation VR are leading the way, but there are also players like Google, Apple,
Samsung, Lenovo and others who may surprise the industry with new levels of
immersion and usability. Whoever comes out ahead, the simplicity of buying a helmet-
sized device that can work in a living-room, office, or factory floor has made HMDs
centre stage when it comes to Virtual Reality technologies.
Virtual Reality and the importance of audio
Convincing Virtual Reality applications require more than just graphics. Both hearing
and vision are central to a person’s sense of space. In fact, human beings react more
quickly to audio cues than to visual cues. In order to create truly immersive Virtual
Reality experiences, accurate environmental sounds and spatial characteristics are a
must. These lend a powerful sense of presence to a virtual world. To experience the
binaural audio details that go into a Virtual Reality experience, put on some
headphones and tinker with this audio info graphic published by The Verge.
While audio-visual information is most easily replicated in Virtual Reality, active
research and development efforts are still being conducted into the other senses.
Tactile inputs such as omnidirectional treadmills allow users to feel as though they’re
actually walking through a simulation, rather than sitting in a chair or on a couch.
Haptic technologies, also known as kinaesthetic or touch feedback tech, have
progressed from simple spinning-weight “rumble” motors to futuristic ultrasound
technology. It is now possible to hear and feel true-to-life sensations along with visual
VR experiences.
Major players in Virtual Reality:
Oculus, HTC, Sony
As of the end of 2018, the three bestselling Virtual Reality headsets were Sony’s
PlayStation VR (PSVR), Facebook’s Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive. This was not a surprise,
seeing as the same three HMDs had also been best sellers in 2017. 2019 sees the VR
landscape broadening with Google, HP, Lenovo, and others looking to grab a piece
of the still-burgeoning market
Virtual Reality technology has advanced rapidly in the past few years and in no other
industry is this more relevant than in the AEC market. Here is a list of some VR hardware
and software tools that have the ability to change the way work is done in the AEC
space. This list was compiled by the virtual reality team at VIATechnik.
As large tech companies such as Facebook, Google, and Microsoft build their own
game changing tools or buy companies in this space, things will only become more
‘real’. With all this progress, it is no wonder that architects, engineers and construction
teams are already finding uses for this technology in their own workflows.
1 UNREAL ENGINE
Unreal is a suite of tools for developers that can be used to create games and virtual
reality environments. This is VIATechnik’s preferred tool for highly polished virtual reality
experiences. It is free for the architecture industry and is frequently used to visualize
spaces and render architectural models in immersive environments. This tool enables
engineers and architects to design and build in a virtual reality environment by means
of a powerful editor toolset and the interaction models that have been specifically
designed for VR world building. The outcome is a believable immersive experience
built upon natural motions and interactions.
2 UNITY
Translating CAD or BIM models into virtual reality experiences used to take
considerable time and programming know how. With the advent of the Unity gaming
engine, bringing Revit/3D models into a virtual reality space becomes much easier.
Now, any AEC professional can take their Revit model, bring it into Unity, and create
a VR experience. With a bit of programming knowledge, the VR models can also be
heavily customized. This powerful, intuitive and flexible tool ensures rapid iteration and
fluid workflow, thus allowing engineers and architects to create stunning, interactive
walkthroughs and provide clients with a realistic sense of how it would feel like to
actually live in the simulated environment.
3 FUZOR
One thing that Fuzor does for AEC industry professionals is instantly transform Revit or
Sketchup models into virtual reality experiences. This is a great tool for construction
because greatly speeds up the process to get designs into VR – allowing users to
iterate and improve on their designs.
4 TWIN MOTION
Twin motion is a powerful and simple visualization engine that takes in various AEC
models. Developed for architectural, construction, urban planning and landscaping
professionals, regardless of the size and complexity of their project, their equipment,
their computer skills or their modeler, Twin motion is a simple to use tool powered by
Unreal Engine that generates amazing graphics in a short amount of time.
5 OCULUS RIFT
Oculus Rift’s headset is traditionally seen as a tool for gamers. However, in the AEC
space, it makes working in virtual environments so much easier. Through the 3D
experience combined with motion tracking capabilities, it becomes a lot easier to
move around 3D models and look around corners than using a mouse and keyboard.
There is no wonder that more and more architecture companies are deciding to
experiment with using the Rift technology for visualization and design. Rift allows
architects to get a real glimpse of how their buildings will look like and understand the
scale, something that is impossible to achieve on a traditional monitor.
Type of VR
Here are seven types of virtual reality that are shaping the future.
1. Semi-Immersive VR
Most of the time, when people think of VR, they picture fully immersive systems like the
HTC Vive or Oculus Quest.
Unlike these technologies, semi-immersive VR offers users a mix of real and virtual
interactive elements. At its most basic, semi-immersive VR is one of the oldest kinds of
this technology, but today companies are applying it differently.
4-D movies may be the traditional use of semi-immersive VR, but now the technology
is primarily used for education. Flight simulators involving a moving cockpit and
simulated environment on screens allow pilots to train without the risks of flying a real
aircraft. As VR technology improves, developers can produce similar systems for other
complicated tasks or professions.
2. Augmented Reality
Like semi-immersive VR, augmented reality (AR) doesn’t fully immerse the user, but it
differs in that it overlays virtual and real elements.
AR applications display computer-generated items over real-time images of physical
environments. Some consider AR to be a separate technology from VR, but on a
technical level, it falls under the umbrella of virtual reality.
AR shows a lot of promise for several industries. Online retailers can use it to project to-
scale 3-D images of products onto the user’s home. AR goggles can help workers like
technicians and plumbers by displaying instructions in the corner of their vision. Similar
applications can help teachers make lessons more immersive for students.
3. Collaborative VR
Critics of VR claim it could lead to people becoming too immersed and thus isolated,
but the technology can bring people closer together than before. Collaborative VR
takes video conferencing programs like Skype to the next level.
This form of VR projects the same virtual environment to several users at once, no
matter how far apart they may be. As a result, they can share ideas and work together
on projects.
Collaborative VR can be as simple as a virtual conference room or as complex as an
interactive 3D blueprint that engineers discuss and edit at the same time.
4. Manufacturing VR
One of the industries with the most to gain from VR is manufacturing. VR and AR
technology can ensure safety and quality at every step of the manufacturing process,
from design to inventory management.
Workers can use VR to train in simulated conditions before stepping onto the factory
floor. With the right tools, they can decrease the risk of injury when they work with the
actual machinery.
AR overlays help employees spot errors during quality control checks. Similarly,
wearable AR tech will allow workers in inventory operations to identify parts and
products more quickly than with the naked eye.
5. Medical VR
The field of medicine has a lot to gain from VR. In a business where accuracy and
comprehensive approaches to problems are of utmost importance, virtual
environments offer significant advantages across the board.
The most apparent of these benefits is that doctors and nurses can train in immersive
simulations. Medical staff can use VR to practice surgery in a safe environment with
real-time feedback.
These environments also prepare for any number of unique situations professionals
might encounter. VR can create interactive digital models of the human anatomy
that leads to a better understanding of different medical conditions.
Apart from training, virtual or augmented reality can assist patients in rehabilitation
and recovery where traditional methods have fallen short.
6. VR Therapy
Physical health is not the only area of wellness that VR can improve. Treating patients
who have psychological disorders can be a complicated process, but VR
applications help psychiatrists and therapists explore previously unviable options.
Professionals often treat patients with phobias or related disorders with gradual
exposure to the source of the issue — a process called systematic desensitization or
exposure therapy.
VR allows these patients to undergo exposure therapy in a controllable, safe and
private environment, increasing effectiveness and alleviating concerns associated
with traditional forms of this therapy.
7. Mixed Reality
One of the most recent advances in VR is the concept of mixed reality (MR). MR is
similar to AR in that it combines virtual and real elements. Unlike AR, however, the
virtual components in MR interact with the real world, leading to an authentic
affected VR experience.
Using technology like the Microsoft HoloLens, people can use MR to interact with 3D
holograms in comfortable physical environments like their living rooms.
MR creates immersive tours and demonstrations, allowing students to gain a well-
rounded understanding of a variety of concepts. Companies can use MR applications
to generate unique and engaging team-building exercises for employees.
Companies can use MR applications to generate unique and engaging team-
building exercises for employees, which is super important for building strong
relationships within the team.
The Future of Virtual Reality
No single form of VR will transform the world on its own. As a whole, however, the
technology’s applications hold the potential to be one of the most disruptive
concepts in the years to come.
Virtual reality is already changing the way some businesses operate. As technology
further develops and people experience the benefits, VR will become a standard
practice in nearly every sphere.