So, what about the equipment you need for this?

First, you will obviously need the mask (called a headset) in which has the screen by the one the game or whatever is displayed. What makes this technology unique and so realistic is the fact that the frames will be displayed automatically per the movement of your head. So, it gives you the control of the place you want to look. That’s why we gave the name of “Virtual Reality” because indeed we are choosing exactly as in real life where we want to look and act.

You will then need a (laptop or desktop) computer, which supports VR (called “VR Ready computers”). It will be the platform from which the game/simulator will be loaded and running.

The other fundamental equipment you need is minimum one controller. It seems like a Wii controller, measures around 20cm. And the pretty good thing is that the controller will be represented differently when you will look at it with your headset on per the game or simulator you’re using.

Then last but not least and not compulsory is the audio headset. This is the equipment from which the sound produced by the game or simulator will go into your ears. Even if you can afford it, having one will make your in-depth experience more realistic. And the best thing to do is getting a headset with 7.1 surround sound: it features an eight-channel surround audio in both ear cups and makes the impression of sound going all around you.

And why does it is so popular?

Virtual reality has been adopted and use for a few years now by the military, including the army, navy and air force. This is useful for training soldiers in any of these services for combat situations or other dangerous settings where they must learn how to react, so that they don’t go into the battlefield without knowing what awaits them.

Indeed, these simulations permit them to act and learn but without the risk of death or a serious injury. They can enact scenarios, for example flying a fighter jet in the middle of an air battle. This method has been used because it has permitted to save money and lives.

Soldiers’ trainings include flight simulation (fighter jet, cargo…), battlefield simulation (with guns, grenades…), medic training (use of medical equipment…) driving simulation (tanks, armoured cars…)

Virtual Reality is also very useful (still for professional use) for medical purposes. Imagine the benefits for training a surgeon using virtual reality: the learner can do as many errors as he wants (which is surely not recommended but) he will never put any life in danger or hurt anyone.

So as for the army, it permits to save money (don’t need to buy any high-end medical equipment) always with this interactive platform.

Then Virtual Reality has now found its place in gaming. Many games (simulators) can be bought by anyone possessing a Virtual Reality headset (plugged to a VR Ready computer obviously) and by looking at all the youtubers making videos every day playing with it, you can tell by yourself the popularity this technology already has.

In conclusion, Virtual Reality technology is still developing and is not yet the best platform ever (games/simulators with average graphics) but it is an all-new way of entertainment for gamers and training for professional use. It won’t stop evolving and getting better with the time.

So, what about you? Are you ready to dive into the amazing experience of these simulators of the future?

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Ugo MORETTO