While the idea of virtual reality (VR) was described in Stanley G. Weinbaum\u2019s short story \u201cPygmalion\u2019s Spectacles\u201d in the 1930s, researchers over the following decades sought real-world applications for VR. The technology took off during a research boom in the 1990s and has gained momentum in recent years. From Sega announcing its own VR headset for arcade games to Google creating Street View perspectives for Google Maps, companies and institutions all over the world are incorporating virtual reality into their products and services. The possibilities of VR tech are nearly limitless across multiple arenas such as education, video game development, military training, medicine, the visual arts, and more.<\/p>\n
Unlike augmented reality (AR), which provides a live view of the real world, virtual reality replaces the real world with a simulated one. Virtual reality generates an environment that can simulate real world places or an imagined world. Computer screens and 3D imaging are used to display virtual reality environments, while speakers or headphones add real sound. More advanced virtual reality environments include haptic feedback\u2014vibrations or motions\u2014 and input devices like a keyboard and mouse or wired gloves to enhance the experience. Ultimately, the aim of virtual reality is to immerse users into a realistic experience, one in which all five senses can be stimulated.<\/p>\n