What is Virtual Reality (VR)?

What is Virtual Reality (VR)? 

Virtual Reality (VR) means a simulated experience that immerses users in a digital 3D environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way. Using a VR headset, individuals can interact with 3D surroundings or objects designed to mimic real-world spaces or create entirely new experiences. By engaging sight, sound, and sometimes touch, VR creates a powerful sense of presence that make users feel like they are truly in a different world.

What’s the Difference Between Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) or Mixed Reality (MR)?

Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) are all immersive technologies, but they’re different in how they interact with the real world.

Virtual Reality (VR) immerses users in a completely virtual environment, blocking out the real world entirely. It uses headsets and often additional peripherals (like controllers or motion sensors) to create an entirely simulated experience, ideal for training, entertainment, or virtual exploration.

Augmented Reality (AR) overlays digital content onto the real world, enhancing a user’s perception of their environment. It doesn’t replace the real world but adds virtual elements like images, sounds, or information on top of it, usually through smartphones or AR glasses. Popular examples include Snapchat filters and Pokémon GO where users can point their cameras and see 3D pokemon, or their bitmoji avatars as if they were in the real world.

Mixed Reality (MR) blends both the real world and virtual elements, but with a more seamless interaction between the two. Unlike AR, where virtual elements are passive and don’t interact at all with the real world, MR allows digital objects to interact with real-world surroundings in real-time. MR typically requires more advanced hardware, such as Microsoft’s HoloLens, and is used for applications that need both immersive virtual elements and real-world interaction, like advanced training simulations or design work.

How Does Virtual Reality Work?

Virtual reality systems combine hardware and software to create immersive digital environments for a user. They block vision and light of the real world as best as the headsets can, and replace that using leneses and screens super close to a user’s eye which makes everything they see look realistically as if they are in the virtual world on the screens.

• VR Headset: VR headsets use screens positioned just centimeters from the eyes to create an immersive visual experience. These displays are often split into two sections (one display/screen for each eye)  to provide stereoscopic 3D visuals. Curved lenses are positioned between the screens and the user’s eyes to reshape the image for a realistic field of view.
• Lens Types:
  • Fresnel Lenses: Common in earlier VR headsets, these are lightweight but can create glare or “god rays. (Visual artifacts resembling rays of light)
  • Pancake Lenses: Newer VR headsets often use pancake lenses, which offer improved clarity and reduce glare, making visuals sharper and more immersive.
• Tracking Systems: VR systems use sensors to track head movements, ensuring the visual environment reacts naturally when users look around. Inside-out tracking (cameras built into the headset) is common in modern devices, while older systems rely on external sensors.
• Controllers vs. Hand Tracking:
  • Controllers: Most VR experiences rely on handheld controllers that simulate hand movements and allow precise interactions with objects.
  • Hand Tracking: Increasingly common, hand tracking uses cameras or sensors to detect hand and finger movements, offering a more natural interaction experience without controllers.
• Audio Systems: Spatial audio enhances immersion by creating realistic soundscapes. Sounds are positioned in 3D space, allowing users to hear directional cues as they would in real life.
• Software: Custom-designed applications deliver the content, simulations, or training experiences.

To put it simply, VR achieves immersion by carefully controlling what your eyes and ears perceive. Even without photorealistic graphics, VR can effectively trick the brain by aligning what you see and hear with your real-world movements. For example, turning your head physically while wearing a VR headset, causes the simulated view to align perfectly with your movements to mimic the changing view inside the headset. This synchronization convinces the brain it’s inside a new environment, enhancing immersion and engagement.

What is Virtual Reality (VR) Training?

Virtual reality training applies VR technology to learning and development. It immerses trainees in realistic scenarios where they can practice skills, test decision-making, and gain hands-on experience in a safe environment. VR training is widely used in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, construction, and transportation.

Character in a VR headset immersed in a warehouse for forklift training

How Does Virtual Reality Training Work?

VR training involves the use of purpose-built simulations that recreate real-life scenarios. Trainees wear VR headsets and interact with virtual environments, practicing skills or responding to simulated challenges. The system tracks their actions, providing instant feedback to reinforce learning. This method allows employees to build confidence and competence without the risks associated with real-world training.

What are 3 Advantages and Disadvantages of Virtual Reality (VR) Training?

VR training offers both benefits and limitations. Click here to explore the benefits of VR training in detail.

Benefits:

• Immersive Learning: VR engages multiple senses, enhancing knowledge retention and skill development. Learners actively participate rather than passively absorb information.
• Safe Practice: VR allows users to practice high-risk scenarios, like emergency response or machinery operation, in a controlled environment without real-world dangers.
• Scalability: Once developed, VR training modules can be deployed repeatedly, making it easy to train large teams efficiently.

Limitations:

• Initial Costs: Investing in VR headsets, content development, and software can require a significant upfront budget. However, costs are decreasing as VR technology becomes more mainstream.
• Technical Issues: VR systems rely on stable hardware, software updates, and adequate space. Without proper setup, technical difficulties may hinder the training experience.
• User Comfort: Some individuals may experience motion sickness or discomfort when using VR, particularly during longer sessions or poorly optimized experiences. This can sometimes result in employees being hesitant to give VR a try, from fear of looking silly or feeling sick. But VR development has come a long way and sickness is much rarer than it was thanks to new standardized techniques and better performance.

What are the Use Cases of VR Training?

Virtual Reality (VR) is being used to train employees in numerous industries such as construction, energy, retail, healthcare, aviation, transportation, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, engineering and a whole lot more. If you can name an industry, chances are virtual reality training is being used in some way.

But what are they actually using it to train for? In which ways can VR Training be applied best? Many industries are using VR to train their employees purely for engagement reasons, and they incorporate virtual realty into their safety training which is an amazing way to increase learning retention and engagement. But on top of safety awareness training, it’s also being used for site/plant familarization, assembling equipment, complex processes, vehicle training, etc.

Virtual reality used by engineering student

Read more in our article exploring The Use Cases of VR Training, to discover where virtual reality excels the best for industrial training solutions.

How Effective is VR Learning?

Research has revealed that learners retain up to 75% of information delivered through immersive simulations, compared to just 10% from traditional lecture-based training. This remarkable retention is largely due to the hands-on, experiential learning that VR provides, allowing individuals to practice skills in a realistic setting.

Additionally, the sense of presence created by VR technology makes learning enjoyable and impactful, keeping learners motivated to participate actively. Immersive environments allow learners to experience scenarios firsthand, reinforcing concepts through active participation.

How Can I Get Started with Virtual Reality (VR) Training For my Organization?

Getting started with VR training involves assessing your organization’s training needs, identifying suitable VR solutions, and working with experts to develop tailored content.

At SHIIFT Training, we specialize in customized VR training solutions designed to improve safety, productivity, and employee performance.

Contact us today to discuss how we can help implement VR training for your organization.