Description: Virtual reality (VR) is an artificial environment created with software that simulates a user’s physical presence in a three-dimensional space. Through devices like headsets, glasses, and controllers, VR allows users to interact with this digital environment in an immersive way. The technology uses 3D graphics, surround sound, and, in some cases, haptic feedback to create experiences that can be indistinguishable from reality. VR is used in various applications, from video games and simulations to professional training and psychological therapies, offering an innovative way to experience and learn in safe and controlled contexts.
History: Virtual reality has its roots in the 1960s when Ivan Sutherland developed the first stereoscopic display system known as ‘The Sword of Damocles’. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, VR gained popularity in military and academic fields, with flight simulators and training environments. However, it was in the 2010s that VR began to enter the consumer market, driven by the release of devices like Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, which made the technology more accessible and affordable.
Uses: Virtual reality is used in a variety of fields, including video games, education, medicine, architecture, and military training. In the realm of video games, it allows players to immerse themselves in virtual worlds. In education, it is used for interactive simulations that enhance learning. In medicine, it is applied in exposure therapies to treat phobias and in training surgeons through surgical simulations. In architecture, it allows for visualizing projects in 3D before construction.
Examples: Examples of virtual reality applications include the game ‘Beat Saber’, which combines music and movement in a virtual environment, and ‘Google Earth VR’, which allows users to explore the world in 3D. In medicine, VR therapy is used to treat anxiety disorders, and in education, platforms offer virtual learning environments for students.
