Types of Virtual Reality

Following are the 5 types of Virtual Reality:

1. Non-immersive Virtual Reality.
2. Fully Immersive Virtual Reality.
3. Semi-Immersive Virtual Reality.
4. Augmented Reality.
5. Collaborative Virtual Reality.

Non-immersive Virtual Reality:

Non-immersive VR is the most basic type of virtual reality, where users experience the virtual environment through a screen or projection, without any physical interaction. It is a 2D or 3D representation of the virtual world on a computer screen or other flat display, such as a television or monitor. This type of VR can be experienced using a simple headset, a desktop or laptop computer, or even a mobile phone. Non-immersive VR is often used for gaming and training simulations, where the user is able to interact with the virtual world through a keyboard, mouse, or controller.

The most common examples of non-immersive VR include video games played on a computer, console, or mobile device. These games offer a 3D representation of the virtual world on a screen, allowing users to interact with the environment using a mouse, keyboard, or controller.

Fully Immersive Virtual Reality:

Fully immersive VR is the most advanced type of VR, where users are completely immersed in a virtual environment, with a sense of presence, as if they are actually inside the virtual world. This type of VR requires a high-end headset, motion sensors, and powerful computing hardware. Users are able to interact with the virtual environment using their entire body, as they are tracked by sensors, allowing them to move around and manipulate objects in the virtual world. Fully immersive VR is often used for gaming, simulations, and training, where the user needs to experience a highly realistic and immersive environment.

One of the most well-known examples of fully immersive VR is the Oculus Rift, a high-end VR headset that offers a completely immersive experience. Users wear the headset, which tracks their head movements and displays a 3D environment that responds to their movements. This type of VR is often used for gaming and training simulations.

Semi-Immersive Virtual Reality:

Semi-immersive VR is a type of virtual reality that is between non-immersive and fully immersive VR. Users experience the virtual environment through a combination of screens, headsets, and other hardware. This type of VR provides a more immersive experience than non-immersive VR but is less immersive than fully immersive VR. Semi-immersive VR can be used for training, simulations, and gaming.

An example of semi-immersive VR is the Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE), which is a room-sized virtual reality environment that offers a more immersive experience than non-immersive VR. Users stand in the room and are surrounded by large screens that display a 3D virtual environment. This type of VR is often used for simulations and research.

Augmented Reality:

Augmented Reality (AR) is a type of virtual reality that overlays digital information onto the real world. This type of VR uses a combination of hardware, such as a headset or mobile device, and software to create a hybrid environment. AR allows users to see the real world around them, while digital information is projected onto the environment. This type of VR can be used for entertainment, education, and training.

One of the most well-known examples of augmented reality is the mobile game Pokemon Go, which overlays digital information onto the real world. Players use their mobile device to capture virtual creatures that are projected onto the environment around them. This type of VR is often used for entertainment and education.

Collaborative VR:

Collaborative VR is a type of virtual reality that allows multiple users to interact with each other in a shared virtual environment. This type of VR is often used for social and collaborative experiences, such as gaming, education, and training. Collaborative VR can be experienced using a variety of hardware, such as headsets, screens, and mobile devices, and often requires a network connection to connect users in different locations. Users can interact with each other and the virtual environment, allowing for a highly engaging and interactive experience.

An example of collaborative VR is the social platform VRChat, which allows users to interact with each other in a shared virtual environment. Users can create avatars and explore the virtual world together, communicating with each other through voice and text chat. This type of VR is often used for social and collaborative experiences, such as gaming, education, and training.

Learn more about Virtual Reality