virtual reality

WHAT IS VIRTUAL REALITY?


DEFINITION OF VIRTUAL REALITY

The VR (Virtual Reality or English) is a term that means devices to digitally simulate an environment by the machine (computer). Depending on the technology used, it allows the user to feel a virtual universe through its different senses: the view most often but also touch, hearing, smell.
The virtual reality allows a person to live an immersion experience and lead a sensory-motor activity in an artificial world. To ensure total immersion, the user uses a virtual reality headset. It uses the stereoscopic 3D display principle to place the viewer in a virtual world generated by a machine

VIRTUAL REALITY: A STORY NOT SO RECENT

When we talk about virtual reality today, we immediately think about VR headsets that are becoming increasingly popular in a wide range of sectors: video games, real estate, industry, events ... As we have seen, virtual reality includes in fact, all the technologies plunging a user into an artificial environment, whatever the meaning involved.

The sensorama of Morton Heilig

The first virtual reality machine is awarded to Morton Heilig and his machine "Sensorama". This device dating back to 1956 allows the user to feel effects using several senses (touch, smell, hearing ...). Several similar devices will emerge later but will remain purely experimental

It will be necessary to wait until the beginning of the 90 'to foresee the appearance of the first helmets of virtual reality as we know them today. It is first NASA that gives the first impetus in the realization of VR helmet through research programs that will allow a multitude of advances in this area. The interaction was then done through a haptic system (by touch).
Several headphones "general public" will follow, especially in the field of video games but will be mainly commercial failures. Their prohibitive prices, the low quality delivered as well as their discomfort will be right of this generation of helmets. The public is not at the rendezvous and the really immersive helmet is still a fantasy.

OCCULUS RIFT: A TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION IN VR
Creator of the oculus rift Palmer Luckey

In 2009, a young American bit of electronics, Palmer Luckey, embarked on a project of virtual reality headset which he will release several prototypes. Sharing his advancements on the internet, he met John Carmack, the president of id Software, the studio behind the headlines of the video game. This will make it possible to widely spread the notoriety of this project and to attract certain big names of the sector. At the same time, Palmer launches a Kickstarter financing project that is completed in less than 24 hours.

Following the success of this campaign, Palmer Luckey decided to create his own structure called Oculus VR which will lead to the commercialization of the famous VR helmet that we know today: The Occulus Rift. He will later sell this company to Facebook for several billion dollars.
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VIRTUAL REALITY: A PROFESSIONAL TOOL
The virtual reality and more specifically the VR helmets were developed initially with the aim of improving the deeply entertaining video experience through immersive 360 ° . The technology was a direct result of the failed rendezvous in the 90s and promised to become a must-have for entertaining. The main technological locks had jumped.
But the price of helmets and equipment, technical brakes (space needed, reduced movements) and the limited game offer have finally found other ways of development. It is now the professional world that adopts these immersive helmets. The maturity of this cross-technology at the advent of experiential marketing has therefore propelledVR through different professional sectors on which we will look.

 VIRTUAL REALITY IN REAL ESTATE
Virtual reality in real estate has gradually been democratized, notably through the immersive and non-immersive virtual tour. This gives the opportunity to immerse yourself in a real estate project, greatly improving the projection capacity of customers.
360 ° Visits, interactions and the stunning realism of 3D are attracting more and more real estate professionals. There are two types of tools:

 IMMERSIVE REAL ESTATE VISITS
Let's be clear, the tools using VR headsets in real estate are currently reserved for some high-end projects, highlighted, including sales bubbles. Whether it's office visits or luxurious residences, it's usually a high-quality device that complements an app. 3D modelling, virtual films, 360 ° captures and creation of interfaces, it is a tool in its own right that will sublimate and script the visits. In addition, immersion is a real experience, often unknown, that is experienced by the viewer. He comes out blown away, immersed and therefore reassured about his intention to buy.

real estate virtual tour
REAL ESTATE VIRTUAL TOURS
The virtual tours "non-immersive" are not far behind. 3D models, 360 ° tactile and tablet applications are added to the tools of the sales teams. They allow understanding, visit and interact with a real estate project before and during construction. It complements the off-plan sale and allows customers to really see what they plan to buy in its context (green spaces, shops nearby, transport).

These tools combine multiple technologies in one application. They can also be integrated into a website to let visitors discover and learn about the project themselves.