VR Collaboration Report.

Virtual reality is an artificial environment that is created with software and presented to the user in such a way that the user suspends belief and accepts it as a real environment. On a computer, virtual reality is primarily experienced through two of the five senses: sight and sound. The simplest form of virtual reality is a 3-D image that can be explored interactively at a personal computer, usually by manipulating keys or the mouse so that the content of the image moves in some direction or zooms in or out. More sophisticated efforts involve such approaches as wrap-around display screens, actual rooms augmented with wearable computers, and haptics devices that let you feel the display images.

In short, it all has to do with a computer doing its best to trick your brain. A virtual reality headset shows you an image and as soon as you move your head it modifies that image to make it seem like you’re really there. 3D audio can also enhance the experience and make you forget your physical surroundings. What can this technology be used for? Movies and gaming is an obvious option, but virtual reality has a slew of other possible uses. It can be used for training, medical procedures, and even psychological therapy to treat disorders like PTSD. Gaming as we know it is about to change. New visual computing advancements and gear such as Oculus Rift engage players with immersive, interactive and intense sensory experiences. It’s like super realistic science fiction playing out right before your eyes. “Virtual Reality (VR) is a set of technologies that are aimed at fooling your senses into believing that you’re in a different environment than the real world,” said Kim Pallister, Director of Content Strategy for Intel’s Visual Computing Group, explaining how virtual reality works.

Virtual reality is an immersive experience in which your head movements are tracked in a three dimensional world, making it suited to games and even movies. While VR was a non-starter back in the 90s, developers are now creating mind-blowing experiences, which look set to revolutionize gaming. The most incredible thing is that the latest and greatest VR experiences don't require mind-bending technology. Oculus Rift is the virtual reality headset that started the current hysteria. Developed by 21-year-old engineer Palmer Luckey, funded via Kickstarter and snapped by by Facebook for a cool $2bn, the Rift plugs into your computer's DVI and USB ports and tracks your head movements to provide 3D imagery to its stereo screens.