How Does Virtual Reality Work?

Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated 3D environment that users engage with through headsets, wearable devices, motion sensors, and 360-degree displays. VR can provide non-immersive experiences, such as 360-degree screens, as well as fully immersive environments where users interact with realistic digital worlds via headsets and wearables.

Although VR is not a new technology, it has become more accessible to consumers with the rise of devices for home use in the 2010s. This increased availability has led to VR’s adoption in industries beyond gaming, such as education, training, fitness, and healthcare. As its popularity continues to grow, VR raises important questions for future research.

How does virtual reality work, and what are its implications for AI? This article delves into these questions, exploring VR’s applications in various sectors and the steps to create a VR experience.

How does virtual reality work?

VR immerses users by overriding their senses through a feedback loop of tracking sensors and stimuli generated by VR hardware, software, and the user’s interaction with the real world. A VR system is comprised of three key components:

• Hardware
• Software
• Human perception

Let’s break down how each of these elements contributes to a VR experience.

Hardware

VR hardware delivers stimuli to the physical world, allowing the user’s eyes and ears to convert them into neural signals. The goal is to convince the brain that the virtual world is real and that the visual and auditory outputs are natural. A VR system’s hardware includes:

• Displays: Devices that present stimuli to different senses, such as screens for the eyes, speakers or headphones for sound, or haptic devices for touch.
• Sensors: Devices that capture input from the physical world, tracking the orientation of sensory organs like the eyes and ears. Additional sensors include cameras for monitoring body movements and infrared cameras that detect depth by projecting infrared light, invisible to the human eye.
• Computers: Systems that process sensor data and generate output stimuli, running the virtual world generator (VWG). These can range from desktops connected to headsets to standalone smartphones inserted into headsets. Key components like graphics processing units (GPUs) and display chips help ensure smooth performance.

Software

VR software processes input from the hardware, sending data to the VWG to render the virtual environment. It creates a seamless experience by blending recorded and computer-generated images (CGI). The software also aligns the user’s movements in the real world with those in the virtual space to ensure objects’ perspectives match.

When movement goes beyond what sensors can track, software can enable additional controls, such as through hand-held devices. VR software also applies physics simulations to mimic real-world interactions and dynamics.

Developers use software development kits (SDKs) to build VR systems, following guidelines from hardware vendors to incorporate physics, sound, and movement into the virtual world. Some companies provide pre-built VWGs as a foundation for developers.

Human Perception

VR systems must account for how artificial stimuli affect human senses. Each sense responds to stimuli in the physical world through specific receptors. VR engineers stimuli to act on neurological pathways similarly to real-world senses. However, if the stimuli aren’t well-aligned, it can cause discomfort, leading to issues like nausea, headaches, or sensory confusion.

Developers must be mindful of how VR affects new users, as those accustomed to VR may overlook potential design flaws. Understanding the effects of VR on human perception is essential to create experiences that feel real while minimizing side effects.

How does AI work with VR?

AI enhances VR by enabling interactive avatars that engage in conversations using natural language processing. This can be particularly useful in high-skill training environments, where users can practice in immersive, simulated settings. AI tools can also simplify the creation of VR worlds and improve user experiences.

How to create an effective VR experience

To develop a successful VR experience, focus on human physiology and perception. Drawing inspiration from areas like video games, cinema, and engineering can guide the process. Consider these best practices:

• Prioritize user comfort, minimize eye strain, and aim for an immersive experience.
• Design realistic virtual worlds with accurate scaling, fully-rendered 3D objects, and proper textures.
• Ensure both eyes have the same view, with differences only in angles, colors, or textures.
• Optimize rendering to maintain smooth frame rates and minimize latency based on hardware limitations.
• Ensure sound tracking and localization work seamlessly with audio devices.
• Take breaks during development to avoid VR fatigue and sickness.
• Use perceptual training to identify and address design flaws in VR systems.

By following these principles, developers can create VR experiences that are both immersive and comfortable for users.