VR
Introduction The last few years have seen lots of changes in terms of technology used at events, as things become more focussed towards interactivity and creating memorable experiences that leave people talking for months after an event is over. To increase stand interactivity and dwell time, event industry professionals are turning to augmented and virtual reality to capture visitor attention. The ability to be able to recreate another world using VR and specially developed content is something that we have had lots of experience in at ITR.
What is Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)? Jaron Lanier, founder of the Visual Programming Lab came up with the well known term. His company developed a range of VR headsets and other products such as the Dataglove. They were the first company to sell VR goggles. What is the Difference Between AR and VR? Both AR and VR have the same goal - to immerse and interact with the user. However AR is a technology that superimposes a computer generated image on a user s view of the real world, providing a composite view. VR is completely computer generated when creating its own world. However AR is partly real life and partly virtual components and mainly delivered through a lead mounted display giving the user a virtual recreation of reality. As you can imagine, the ability to overlay graphics is a huge advantage for event organisers, giving visitors an immersive way of exploring products and services in a crowded exhibition hall, and, once again, increasing average dwell time. The prospect of easily affordable augmented reality eyewear by 2020 means that event organisers are looking for new ways to incorporate compatible software into exhibitions.
Products Highlights HTC Vive The Vive was developed by HTC and Valve. There are over 1000 games to play through SteamVR, with stunning graphics and a 110 degree field view, the Vive headset immerses you into another dimension. The Vive also includes two wireless controllers which allow you to interact with and manipulate objects in virtual reality! Oculus Rift Combined with the Oculus store (PC and Oculus account required) you can download a combination of games or experiences without having to take the Oculus Rift off. The headset also offers a range of different experiences such as EVE: Valkyrie, Lucky s Tale and Oculus Video. You won t want to leave the VR world. HoloLens Microsoft s entry into the marketplace took people by surprise. However, their unit has proven to be so much more than simply a way point finder! Using it s 2.3 megapixel screen and forward facing cameras it simply superimposes content in front of you in glorious stereoscopic 3D.
The Future of VR The last 18-24 months has seen a shift in the application of VR & AR. Industry and business have realised the potential of using VR and AR. The events industry has started to adopt VR and AR as part of the design, concept and delivery process. Giants such as General Electric are on board including AR on their Italian Factory floor, and US hospitals are trialling the use of VR in surgery, indicating we are about to enter the best years for VR. Virtual reality headsets allow event attendees to be in a crowded exhibition hall, whilst experiencing standing on a white sandy beach in the Caribbean, or on safari in Kenya. They can even show VR tours of popular tourist locations, or walk visitors around their hotel before they check in. This kind of interactivity is what currently encourages event organisers to incorporate virtual reality at their stand. However, VR as we know it, is already evolving at great pace and it s future is positively volatile, with many exciting changes ahead. Want more information? Contact us today.