**Description:** Wandering refers to the ability of users to freely explore virtual environments, often used in virtual reality (VR) experiences to enhance immersion. This functionality allows users to move through three-dimensional spaces, interacting with objects and elements of the environment in a natural way. The experience of wandering in VR resembles exploration in the real world, where users can turn, walk, and observe from different angles. This freedom of movement is crucial for creating a sense of presence, where users feel they are truly inside the virtual environment. Additionally, wandering can include the ability to interact with other users in multiplayer environments, adding a social dimension to the experience. The technology behind wandering in VR includes motion sensors, controllers, and tracking systems that allow for accurate representation of user movements, contributing to a more immersive and realistic experience.
**History:** The concept of wandering in virtual environments has evolved since the early days of virtual reality in the 1960s. One of the first VR systems, the Sensorama, created by Morton Heilig in 1962, offered multisensory experiences, although it did not allow for free wandering. With the advancement of technology, in the 1990s, more sophisticated systems like the Virtuality Group were developed, allowing users to move within virtual environments. However, it was with the arrival of devices like the Oculus Rift in 2012 that wandering became a central feature of modern VR, thanks to its motion tracking capabilities and improvements in graphical quality.
**Uses:** Wandering in virtual reality is used in various applications, including video games, training simulations, education, and virtual tourism. In video games, it allows players to explore open worlds and engage in missions in a more immersive way. In the educational field, it is used to create interactive learning environments where students can explore complex concepts visually and practically. In training simulations, such as in medicine or aviation, wandering allows professionals to practice in safe and controlled environments. Additionally, in virtual tourism, users can wander through points of interest without the need to travel physically.
**Examples:** An example of wandering in a video game is ‘The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’, where players can explore a vast open world. In the educational field, applications like ‘Google Earth VR’ allow users to wander through different places around the world. In training simulations, ‘VR Surgery’ offers medical students the opportunity to practice surgical procedures in a virtual environment. Lastly, in virtual tourism, ‘Wander’ allows users to explore iconic places like the Eiffel Tower or the Colosseum from the comfort of their home.
