Virtual Reality

VIRTUAL

REALITY

Who am I?

DOMINIC CUSHNANFounder, Mixed Reality Studio, Ltd.

@mixedreality @domcushnan

What is

VIRTUAL REALITY?

Virtual reality is the term used to describe a three-dimensional,

computer generated environment which can be explored and

interacted with by a person.

That person becomes part of this virtual world or is immersed within this

environment and whilst there, is able to manipulate objects or perform a

series of actions.

The person wears a head-mounted display (HMD) or glasses which

displays three-dimensional images as part of their experience. Some

systems enable the person to experience additional sensory input, e.g.

sound or video which contributes to their overall experience.

WHAT IS VIRTUAL REALITY?

Source:

http://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality/what-is-virtual-reality.html

VIRTUAL REALITYHeadsets

VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSETS

Source:

http://www.simpublica.com/technology/the-sword-of-damocles-and-the-birth-of-virtual-reality/

http://www.cnet.com/pictures/google-glass-ancestors-45-years-of-digital-eyewear-photos/

Sword of Damocles ◦ Ivan Sutherland, 1968

◦ Designed to help helicopter pilots to

land at night by automatically

moving low-light cameras in

synchronisation with their head

movement

◦ The device was suspended from the

ceiling by an adjustable pole


Source:

http://www.giantbomb.com/sega-vr/3000-17/

http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2014/11/the-sega-vr-headset-that-never-was/

Sega VR ◦ Sega, 1991

◦ The display provided internal LCD

screens, stereo headphones, and

sensors capable of detecting inertia,

which allowed the device to track head

movements

◦ Initially planned for release in 1994 with

several games developed specifically

for the headset, the Sega VR was

shown at consumer electronics shows

in 1993


Source:

https://www.oculus.com/rift/

http://www.redorbit.com/education/reference_library/general-2/history-of/1113182398/the-history-of-virtual-reality/

Oculus Rift ◦ Facebook (Oculus VR), 2014

◦ The headset provides about a 110

degree field of view, absolute head

orientation tracking, USB interface and

aimed at 1920x1080 resolution or

greater

◦ It lets players step inside their favorite

games and virtual worlds.


Source:

https://www.google.com/get/cardboard/

Google Cardboard ◦ Google, 2014

◦ A fold-out cardboard smartphone

mount combined with lenses, a

magnet, a piece of hook-and-loop

fastener and a rubber band and held

against the face

◦ A smartphone with stereoscopic

display software fits into this device

and the lenses allow a person to

perceive left and right images as a

single 3D image


Source:

http://www.cnet.com/products/sony-project-morpheus/

Project Morpheus ◦ Sony, 2016 (announced)

◦ Designed to be fully functional with the

PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita

game systems

◦ It features a high FOV, 6DOF head-

tracking, stereoscopic 3D, and

unwarped output to a TV for others to

view what the user sees


Source:

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/valve-and-htc-reveal-vive-vr-headset/1100-6425606/

http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/1/8127445/htc-vive-valve-vr-headset

HTC Vive ◦ HTC & Valve, TBA

◦ The Vive Developer Edition uses two

1200 x 1080 displays that refresh at 90

frames per second, "eliminating jitter"

and achieving "photorealistic imagery"

◦ A gyrosensor, accelerometer, and laser

position sensor will track the rotation of

your head, allowing you to look around

the virtual environment naturally

Using

VIRTUAL REALITYHeadsets for Immersive

Video

& Game Experience

USING VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSETS FOR IMMERSIVE VIDEO &

GAME EXPERIENCE

Source:

http://guardianlv.com/2013/10/oculus-rift-an-innovative-product-for-virtual-realityvideo/

Using the VR headset, a

person can experience being

in a 3-dimensional

environment and interact

with that environment during

the game.

It creates the illusion of being

in a virtual world by filling the

user’s field of vision.

Examples of

VIRTUAL REALITYin Museums

EXAMPLES OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN MUSEUMS

Dundee Heritage Trust

◦ Hoping to develop a virtual reality tour of RRS

Discovery using Oculus

◦ Tablet and mobile phone application also

◦ Lets users move around, sit at a table and look in

cabins

◦ Hopes to let users climb up rigging

◦ Supported by Museums Galleries Scotland

Source:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-29363987

The current virtual tour

allows users to explore

the ship's wardroom

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The inside of the ship has been

rendered in precise detail using

video game technology

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Future versions could allow users to move around

the ship's deck and climb the riggingD

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The Entertainment

◦ A play without any stage direction

◦ Game developers’ Cardboard Computer allow you to

experience a first person version of the play via Oculus

◦ No gameplay but can watch the play

Source:

http://rhizome.org/editorial/2013/dec/23/prosthetic-knowledge-picks-oculus-rift/

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Frieze London

◦ October 2013

◦ Title Entropy Wrangler

◦ Randomized objects flying around where the user’s

viewpoint can alter the dynamics of weightless 3D

forms

◦ Two headsets for two simultaneous users interacting

with each other

Source:

http://animalnewyork.com/2013/frieze-london-the-good-the-bad-and-the-oculus-rift-art/

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http://youtube.com/v/Gzr2zx6IrHQ

http://youtube.com/v/Gzr2zx6IrHQ


Hello, Again

◦ 360 degree performance art

◦ User is in the audience and can view and hear the

show from any angle

Source:

http://www.psfk.com/2014/04/beck-oculus-rift.html

Hello

, A

gain


Het Nieuwe Instituut, Rotterdam

◦ 2013

◦ Citytrip lets you explore an alien city by riding a bike

wearing OR headset

◦ Use bicycle bell to jump between buildings

Source:

http://www.veoh.com/watch/yapi-dDNFGVMac5c?h1=Citytrip+-

+Oculus+Rift+Interactive+installation+at+Het+Nieuwe+Instituut+Rotterdam+2013

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http://youtube.com/v/dDNFGVMac5c

http://youtube.com/v/dDNFGVMac5c


Museum of the Future “EUseum”

◦ December 2013

◦ Recreate existing museums online to look around several

museums/heritage sites virtually

◦ Europeana asked ArchiVision to develop a 3D model of a

fictional museum and demoed using pieces from the

Rijksmuseum using Oculus

◦ Walk around and see paintings at a closer range than in

reality

◦ Available on OR DK1

Source:

https://share.oculus.com/app/museum-of-the-future

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http://youtube.com/v/QKcVIEASVII

http://youtube.com/v/QKcVIEASVII


The Machine to be Another

◦ January 2014

◦ Performance art installation

◦ Two people stand in a room wearing a headset and

agree on synchronized movements, but “see” what the

other person is seeing, making them appear as

another gender, body size and build

Source:

http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/21/5330496/an-oculus-rift-art-exhibit-shows-wearers-what-its-like-to-swap-bodies

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Senayan City Mall, Indonesia

◦ May 2014

◦ Virtual reality museum showing Indonesia’s ancient

heritage scattered across museums

◦ Permanent home at Gallery Indonesia

◦ See difference pieces and historical details of each statue

with an audio commentary

Source:

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/05/16/virtual-museum-brings-indonesia-s-heritage-closer-home.html

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Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum,

Australia

◦ June 2014

◦ Turning “Ceramica de Los Ancestros” into a virtual reality

experience

◦ Visitor can walk through and explore interactive characters,

videos and 3D objects from the exhibit

◦ Originally an exhibition and online simulation

Source:

http://smithsonianlvm.tumblr.com/post/86410546000/smithsonian-latino-virtual-museum-immerses-visitors-deep

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VRClay Virtual Art Studio

◦ September 2014

◦ Oculus and Razer Hydra used for 3D virtual sculpting

◦ “Encourage creativity” in 3D space

Source:

http://www.geek.com/gadgets/vrclay-uses-oculus-rift-and-razer-hydra-to-build-a-virtual-art-studio-1605487/

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http://youtube.com/v/jnqFdSa5p7w

http://youtube.com/v/jnqFdSa5p7w


The Styx, Belgium

◦ October 2014

◦ Virtual environment based around the Ancient Greek myth of

the River Styx

◦ Underground chamber, boat trip down the river

◦ Virtual reality version of Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More

Source:

http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/en_uk/blog/artists-have-created-a-chilling-oculus-rift-boat-trip-down-the-river-styx

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Smithsonian National Air and Space

Museum, Virginia

◦ November 2014

◦ Exhibition of the “Ranger” spacecraft from the film

Interstellar

◦ Oculus Rift DK2 used to interactively explore the

spacecraft

Source:

http://airandspace.si.edu/events/detail.cfm?id=12520

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Topshow FROW, London

◦ A/W 2014

◦ Virtual reality catwalk at London Fashion Week

◦ Live show from a front row seat in the turbine hall transmitted

to people sitting in the front of the Oxford Street Topshop

Source:

http://www.inition.co.uk/case_study/virtual-reality-catwalk-show-topshop/

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Westfries Museum, Netherlands

◦ December 2014

◦ Virtual walk through the Horn (North Holland Seaport) of

1650

Source:

http://wfm.nl/oculus/

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University of Lincoln Craft Simulator

◦ Collaborative project with the Chain Bridge Forge

◦ Oculus used to recreate forge environment

◦ Xconnect used to translate hand movements used in

blacksmithing

◦ Virtual image created and sent to a 3D printer to produce the

item blacksmithed

◦ Can teach children in schools and preserve blacksmith

heritage

Source:

http://publicengagement.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/2014/10/16/university-of-lincoln-craft-simulator-to-help-heritage-museum/


National Maritime Museum

◦ 360 degree high resolution video production for Oculus Rift

captured by Pixelcase

◦ Footage of Australia’s historic maritime vessels

Source:

http://pixelcase.com/360/virtual-reality/australia/panorama/portfolio_page/national-maritime-museum-360-video-production-for-oculus-

rift/

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Installing the

OCULUS RIFT

PLUGIN for

Unity 3D

1. Download Unity 3D

2. Sign up for a Oculus developer account at

https://developer.oculusvr.com/

3. Click Downloads, and download Unity 4 Integration

4. Load a scene from the asset store

5. Drag the Unity package into the scene

6. Replace the soldier camera with Unity prefab

7. Press Run

8. Drag, drop and play

Source:

http://davidsherlock.co.uk/unity3d-oculus-rift-plugin-setup/

http://www.slideshare.net/DavidSherlock/oculus-rift-31009026

INSTALLING THE OCULUS RIFT PLUGIN FOR UNITY 3D

Technology

Virtual Reality