Intended Usage
Video games
According to the Oculus Rift Kickstarter page, "Oculus Rift is a new virtual reality (VR) headset designed specifically for video games that will change the way you think about gaming forever." The intended usage of the Rift has always been to create a brand new experience while playing video games. The members of OculusVR have been developing the product very closely with the industries biggest names such as Epic studios, the creators of the Unreal Engine, and John Carmack, the creator of Doom. Together, they have been creating the ultimate gaming peripheral. The purpose of the Rift is to make video games a immerse as possible.
According to the Oculus Rift Kickstarter page, "Oculus Rift is a new virtual reality (VR) headset designed specifically for video games that will change the way you think about gaming forever." The intended usage of the Rift has always been to create a brand new experience while playing video games. The members of OculusVR have been developing the product very closely with the industries biggest names such as Epic studios, the creators of the Unreal Engine, and John Carmack, the creator of Doom. Together, they have been creating the ultimate gaming peripheral. The purpose of the Rift is to make video games a immerse as possible.
Unintended Usages
Therapy for amputees and stroke victims
Unfortunately, there are victims to a disease known as phantom limb pain. After losing an arm or a leg, as many as 70 percent of amputees have reported experiencing painful sensations from the missing limb. Recently, there has been an experimental therapy involving virtual reality to help sooth this pain. One candidate has suffered from phantom pain for 48 years of his life but after controlling a virtual reality arm via signals from the stump of his missing limb, he reported having a dramatic reduction in pain.
Current treatments for phantom pain include drugs, acupuncture, hypnosis, and "mirror therapy" but none of these treatments work for all patients. In a new study by Ortiz Catalan, the patient had a series of electrodes implanted into his stump and the signals from them translated into action of an arm in virtual reality that was superimposed over video of the man captured in real time via a webcam. The patient reported that the pain he was feeling gradually faded to the point of non-existence during the session. "His hand changed from feeling painfully clenched to feeling open and relaxed." The treatment still needs more clinical studies but the outcome looks hopeful. Ortiz believes the treatment will be more successful than others because it is fun and engaging, resulting in higher completion rates.
Unfortunately, there are victims to a disease known as phantom limb pain. After losing an arm or a leg, as many as 70 percent of amputees have reported experiencing painful sensations from the missing limb. Recently, there has been an experimental therapy involving virtual reality to help sooth this pain. One candidate has suffered from phantom pain for 48 years of his life but after controlling a virtual reality arm via signals from the stump of his missing limb, he reported having a dramatic reduction in pain.
Current treatments for phantom pain include drugs, acupuncture, hypnosis, and "mirror therapy" but none of these treatments work for all patients. In a new study by Ortiz Catalan, the patient had a series of electrodes implanted into his stump and the signals from them translated into action of an arm in virtual reality that was superimposed over video of the man captured in real time via a webcam. The patient reported that the pain he was feeling gradually faded to the point of non-existence during the session. "His hand changed from feeling painfully clenched to feeling open and relaxed." The treatment still needs more clinical studies but the outcome looks hopeful. Ortiz believes the treatment will be more successful than others because it is fun and engaging, resulting in higher completion rates.
Interstellar travel
Recently, NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab unveiled a robot that utilizes the Oculus Rift headset and an Xbox Kinect to control movement. The video is captured from cameras mounted on the robot and relayed back to the operator and the Kinect tracks gestures to control the robot's arm.
Similar systems could be implemented in locations millions of miles away that aren't even habitable to humans and allow the human operators to feel like they are actually there. One similar system utilizes the Rift paired with the Virtuix Omni treadmill allowing researchers to simulate walking on the surface of Mars using 3D images.
Recently, NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab unveiled a robot that utilizes the Oculus Rift headset and an Xbox Kinect to control movement. The video is captured from cameras mounted on the robot and relayed back to the operator and the Kinect tracks gestures to control the robot's arm.
Similar systems could be implemented in locations millions of miles away that aren't even habitable to humans and allow the human operators to feel like they are actually there. One similar system utilizes the Rift paired with the Virtuix Omni treadmill allowing researchers to simulate walking on the surface of Mars using 3D images.
Seeing inside the body
Imagine the significance of a doctor to monitoring real time activities in your body during a diagnosis. The "glass brain" experiment allowed for just that. This new system combines brain scanning, recording, and the Oculus Rift to venture through a persons brain in real time, watching all their thoughts flash throughout the sectors of the brain.
One hope of this system is to take the activity of the brain and decode it and display it in the virtual reality. Another suggested use of the system is a therapy for brain damage victims. The patient can be shown the activity in their brain, and more importantly the parts that were affected, then taught how to correct it. Finally, pre-rendered events such as a difficult child birth can be used to train doctors, visualizing important details that would be otherwise impossible to see, and prepare them for these situations.
Imagine the significance of a doctor to monitoring real time activities in your body during a diagnosis. The "glass brain" experiment allowed for just that. This new system combines brain scanning, recording, and the Oculus Rift to venture through a persons brain in real time, watching all their thoughts flash throughout the sectors of the brain.
One hope of this system is to take the activity of the brain and decode it and display it in the virtual reality. Another suggested use of the system is a therapy for brain damage victims. The patient can be shown the activity in their brain, and more importantly the parts that were affected, then taught how to correct it. Finally, pre-rendered events such as a difficult child birth can be used to train doctors, visualizing important details that would be otherwise impossible to see, and prepare them for these situations.
Treatment for PTSD
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after a person is exposed to a traumatic event in life such as a sexual assault, warfare, or threat of death. PTSD affects mostly adults especially those in the military.
Recently, there have been experiments published in the Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking journal utilizing virtual reality for an exposure therapy (VR-GET) to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and neural psychological functioning. These service members used virtual reality headsets to confront memories of Iraq and Afghanistan. The results shows that the symptoms of PTSD were dramatically reduced after the treatment but also recommend supplemental therapy as well as the virtual reality treatment.
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after a person is exposed to a traumatic event in life such as a sexual assault, warfare, or threat of death. PTSD affects mostly adults especially those in the military.
Recently, there have been experiments published in the Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking journal utilizing virtual reality for an exposure therapy (VR-GET) to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and neural psychological functioning. These service members used virtual reality headsets to confront memories of Iraq and Afghanistan. The results shows that the symptoms of PTSD were dramatically reduced after the treatment but also recommend supplemental therapy as well as the virtual reality treatment.
Military training
Virtual reality is not a new concept in the military. Tank operators and pilots have been using simulations to develop their skills for years now. However, with the advancements in virtual reality, troops will have real combat experience from simulations before they ever get deployed. Game-like simulations such as "Virtual Battlespace 2" and "America's Army" are used to mentally prepare troops for the horrors of the battlefield. The US military also uses what they call the "Dismounted Soldier Training System" to replicate complex and realistic environments.
Virtual reality is not a new concept in the military. Tank operators and pilots have been using simulations to develop their skills for years now. However, with the advancements in virtual reality, troops will have real combat experience from simulations before they ever get deployed. Game-like simulations such as "Virtual Battlespace 2" and "America's Army" are used to mentally prepare troops for the horrors of the battlefield. The US military also uses what they call the "Dismounted Soldier Training System" to replicate complex and realistic environments.
Target Audience
The intended audience for the Oculus Rift is the gaming community. The Rift will likely be adopted by serious gamers that want the best experience possible. The Rift will likely be compatible with on PC and Android due to similar products being developed by console manufacturers. This will lead to a smaller audience due to consoles holding the lions share of the gaming market. The Rift will be available to a global audience, not just the United States.
Those that do buy the console, will do so very quick. There is a lot of excitement for the console and it has been tested by many over the development. This means that everybody has a good understanding of how it performs and any downfalls of the system. This will eliminate the initial waiting period for enhancements after the initial launch of a new product that is commonly seen in phones and consoles.
The Rift will be adopted by many government and private corporations for usages other than video games and will integrate high-tech software and hardware not available to the public for advanced usages.
Those that do buy the console, will do so very quick. There is a lot of excitement for the console and it has been tested by many over the development. This means that everybody has a good understanding of how it performs and any downfalls of the system. This will eliminate the initial waiting period for enhancements after the initial launch of a new product that is commonly seen in phones and consoles.
The Rift will be adopted by many government and private corporations for usages other than video games and will integrate high-tech software and hardware not available to the public for advanced usages.
Imitators
Google Cardboard
Google cardboard is the cheap alternative for virtual reality solutions. There are varying degrees of technology coupled with the design but most are assembled from cardboard or plastic and utilize android phones and the brain of the system. The Google cardboard can be assembled for $10-$80 depending on the features such as NFC, lenses, and magnets.
Google cardboard is the cheap alternative for virtual reality solutions. There are varying degrees of technology coupled with the design but most are assembled from cardboard or plastic and utilize android phones and the brain of the system. The Google cardboard can be assembled for $10-$80 depending on the features such as NFC, lenses, and magnets.
Samsung Gear VR
Samsung has been a close partner of OculusVR and has come out with its own spin off. The Gear VR uses the same software as the Oculus Rift but leaves out the screen, sensors, and camera. Instead, there is a slot to slide in a Galaxy Note 4 or future Samsung phones as a replacement "brain" for the setup.
Samsung has been a close partner of OculusVR and has come out with its own spin off. The Gear VR uses the same software as the Oculus Rift but leaves out the screen, sensors, and camera. Instead, there is a slot to slide in a Galaxy Note 4 or future Samsung phones as a replacement "brain" for the setup.
Sony Morpheus
The Morpheus is Sony's attempt to get into the VR market on its PlayStation platform. The Morpheus is still in development and the final specification of the unit are not finalized but supporters speculate that it will give the Oculus Rift a run for its money performance wise.
Initial reviewers have reported HD visuals and software that compliments the PlayStation 4 very well but the motion tracking occasionally disconnects. Reports claim that the headset still needs tweaks but is well on it's way to completion.
The Morpheus is Sony's attempt to get into the VR market on its PlayStation platform. The Morpheus is still in development and the final specification of the unit are not finalized but supporters speculate that it will give the Oculus Rift a run for its money performance wise.
Initial reviewers have reported HD visuals and software that compliments the PlayStation 4 very well but the motion tracking occasionally disconnects. Reports claim that the headset still needs tweaks but is well on it's way to completion.
Vrvana Totem
The Totem follows closely in the foot steps of the Oculus Rift. The Totem has launched its own successful Kickstarter campaign and aims to bring a greater feature set. The main enhancement over the Oculus Rift is the usage of two cameras on the front to allow the device to take input from the room around the user. This could allow for augmented reality applications not available to the Rift.
The Totem follows closely in the foot steps of the Oculus Rift. The Totem has launched its own successful Kickstarter campaign and aims to bring a greater feature set. The main enhancement over the Oculus Rift is the usage of two cameras on the front to allow the device to take input from the room around the user. This could allow for augmented reality applications not available to the Rift.
Microsoft and Apple have reported interest in developing similar products to the Rift but nothing has been officially announced yet.