Virtual Reality deployment for marketing and ecommerce continues to rise. As with all emerging technologies, adoption gives way to the reduction in costs surrounding the deployment of the technology’s strategies and Virtual Reality is no different. Tools for developing virtual realities are

The global market for virtual reality is experiencing rapid growth and is expected to reach $44.7 billion by 2024 according to a MarketsandMarkets research report. A VR headset isn’t even necessary… you can use Google Cardboard and a smartphone to view an immersive virtual reality experience.

What is Virtual Reality?

Virtual reality (VR) is an immersed experience where the user’s visual and audible senses are replaced with manufactured experiences. Visuals through screens, surround sound through audio devices, touch through haptic equipment, scents for smell, and temperature can all be enhanced. The goal is to replace the existing world and have the user believe they are in the interactive simulation created through these devices.

How Does Virtual Reality Differ From Augmented Reality (AR)?

Some folks interchange VR with AR, but the two are quite different. Augmented or Mixed Reality (MR) utilizes manufactured experiences that are overlaid with the real world whereas virtual reality replaces the real world entirely. According to HP, there are four elements that characterize virtual reality and separate it from other forms of technology such as mixed reality and augmented reality.

1. 3D-simulated environment: An artificial environment is rendered through a medium like a VR display or a headset. The user’s visual perspective changes based on movements occurring in the real world.
2. Immersion: The environment is realistic enough where you can effectively recreate a realistic, non-physical universe so that a strong suspension-of-disbelief is created.
3. Sensory engagement: VR can include visual, audio, and haptic cues that help make the immersion more complete and realistic. This is where accessories or input devices such as special gloves, headsets, or hand controls provide the VR system with additional input of movement and sensory data.
4. Realistic interactivity: The virtual simulation responds to the user’s actions and these responses occur in a logical, realistic manner.

How Do You Build VR Solutions?

Building a high-fidelity, real-time, and seamless virtual experience requires some amazing tools. Thankfully, bandwidth, processor speed, and memory growth in the hardware sector have made some of the solutions desktop-ready, including:

• Adobe Medium – create organic shapes, complex characters, abstract art, and anything in between. Exclusively in virtual reality on Oculus Rift and Oculus Quest + Link.
• Amazon Sumerian – Easily create and run browser-based 3D, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) applications.
• Autodesk 3ds Max – professional 3D modeling, rendering, and animation software that enables you to create expansive worlds and premium designs.
• Autodesk Maya – create expansive worlds, complex characters, and dazzling effects
• Blender – Blender is free and open-source software, forever. It’s also well supported by major hardware vendors such as AMD, Apple, Intel, and NVIDIA.
• Sketchup – A windows-only 3D modeling tool focused on the construction industry and architecture, and you can use it for virtual reality app development.
• Unity – over 20 different VR platforms run Unity creations and there are over 1.5 million active monthly creators on the platform from the gaming, architecture, automotive, and film industries.
• Unreal Engine – From first projects to the most demanding challenges, their free and accessible resources and inspirational community empower everyone to realize their ambitions.

VR has huge potential in many other industries. HP provides six unexpected ways VR is weaving itself into the fabric of our modern lives in this infographic:

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