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Virtual Reality Headset — Experience a better simulation of your environment and storyline.

Virtual reality (VR) is currently the fastest-growing content segment in the world. Studies predict that VR content will see an annual growth rate of 30% from 2021 to 2025. This performance surpasses that of over-the-top (OTT) videos, video games, and even traditional cinema. The virtual reality headset allows users to consume VR content, offering an immersive and three-dimensional experience.

 

What is a virtual reality headset?

A virtual reality headset is a piece of equipment designed to be worn on the head. It features a display screen, stereo sound, sensors, and compatible controls intended to provide an audio-visual experience during a digital learning session.

When a user wears their VR headset, they disconnect from the surrounding world and focus solely on the VR content projected on the display screen. This includes 360° videos, VR games, workspaces, or meeting rooms for various activities. Indeed, the VR headset is used in remote HSE training and ensures better course assimilation.

Unlike augmented reality (AR) or mixed reality (MR) headsets, VR headsets do not allow users to see any element of the external world.

The user will rely on a set of VR controllers to fully navigate the experience. As previously mentioned, this device offers a highly interactive experience. For this, it requires a controller to point at objects, select, scroll up or down, navigate different spaces, cross boundaries, and many more surprising functions.

Most VR headsets on the market use manual controllers functioning like joysticks. Newer models might provide haptic gloves, allowing users to navigate the virtual world using their fingers, gestures, and other natural movements.

 

Components of virtual reality headsets

All VR headsets are composed of the following four elements:

A sensor set

Unlike 2D video, virtual reality is not a passive experience. Users interact with the virtual world, which adapts based on user data.

To function, VR headsets are equipped with multiple sensors, with some devices featuring a six-degree-of-freedom (6DoF) system to track head movements.

Thanks to gyroscopes, accelerometers, and other sensors, the 6DoF system tracks head movements and repositions the screen accordingly.

Some headsets also have eye-tracking sensors to detect if the user's eyes are focusing on a VR object or location.

Lenses and screen

These are the primary materials of the device. Stereoscopic lenses are placed between the screen and the eyes. They distort the image to make it appear three-dimensional. Two images pass through the lens, one for each eye, appearing as our eyes perceive and process images in the real world. Furthermore, images in VR headsets simulate side-to-side movement to recreate a 360° experience. This is achieved by slightly moving the screen content based on head-tracking data.

Immersive audio

Stereo audio streams from two directions are placed over each ear. This provides the user with a more layered sound experience since it's directly tied to the perception of distance and space.

VR headsets reproduce this experience using 360° or immersive audio technology. Binaural audio is one of these technologies. On the other hand, new audio developments by major companies like Apple mark a new step in VR audio innovation.

Controllers

VR headset controllers are your bridge between the real world and the virtual one. It's interesting to note that various controllers can be used besides the typical set of two handheld controllers that come with headsets.

 

How a VR headset works

All components, along with sophisticated VR software, allow the headset to function correctly. Once the headset is started, users are greeted by a realistic virtual environment equivalent to a computer's homepage. From this space, users can:

  • Use different applications
  • Meet other virtual people
  • Adjust settings
  • Update devices
  • And more

Meanwhile, images are powered by a video source from a smartphone, desktop computer, or the cloud in modern headsets. The lens is responsible for splitting the video image in two and cropping it into a 3D stereoscopic image you'll see on the screen. With built-in sensors, the environment subtly changes. As you look around, you can change your eye's focal point or raise your hands.

Aside from this functionality, VR headsets are potent. They feature productivity applications that allow for product designs in VR. They also support recording your designs as 3D files in the cloud. Advanced VR headsets have a very high screen refresh rate, enabling them to update content instantly.

 

What makes a good VR headset?

Several elements characterize the quality of a VR headset:

  • Shape and weight: anything over 600 grams will be challenging to use
  • Easy-to-use controllers: the controllers have two buttons that make navigation in VR easier
  • Onboard storage: it's essential to have at least 32GB of storage for application installation

 

How virtual reality is changing the workplace

If full VR adoption is still a way off, many businesses have already integrated it into their practices. How is VR changing the workplace?

Increased connection

VR allows people to come together and collaborate without physically being present. Unlike video conferencing, participants feel like they're in the same space.

New HR practices

The global shift is likely to radically change human resources. With better access to workers worldwide, recruitment practices will expand. During an interview, employees will have the chance to virtually view their position to get a real sense of their responsibilities.

Modern training techniques

VR training is beneficial in high-risk situations, allowing employees to gain experience safely. Regardless of your industry, VR provides an efficient educational experience.

 

Immersive Factory offers virtual reality training to ensure quality learning and soft skills development.

To strengthen your training strategy, we guarantee more efficient learning while reducing training time. Using modern technologies, our virtual reality training helps with better memorization. Whatever your activity, benefit from the following advantages:

  • Custom creations: we create content aligned with your industry and based on your needs
  • Employee training: we train your staff on using VR headsets and 3D environments
  • Advice: we advise on choosing formulas that best fit your needs.

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