What Are the Different Types of Virtual Reality That Exist Today?

Did you know that Morton Heilig invented the first virtual reality headset in the early 1960s? Following that invention, virtual reality took off, and as a result, people can now live in a virtual reality metaverse.

The world of VR is far more complex than in its early days. Now there are several different types of virtual reality that people can use to experience the metaverse.

Would you like to learn more about the different types of virtual reality? If so, we invite you to stick around as we summarize the most popular VRs people and companies use today!

Semi-Immersive Virtual Reality

Perhaps the most common type of VR is the semi-immersive one since it’s the easiest to design. You only need a VR headset or a simple computer screen to experience a semi-immersive VR setting.

Users only visualize the virtual world and cannot interact with it. That means they can’t create a virtual avatar in a semi-immersive VR setting since the technology surrounding it is limited.

Many museums have semi-immersive VR tours. These let people can walk around and view the different exhibits without needing to be there.

Moreover, companies like Meetaverse have created a virtual workplace. It allows employees to experience the thrill of working at an office from the comfort of their homes.

Fully Immersive Virtual Reality

Fully immersive VR allows users to experience the metaverse more realistically. Users need VR headsets and motion-detecting detectors for their hands and legs since they’ll be able to walk and interact with the virtual world.

Unfortunately, there are no true fully immersive VRs in the market since the technology to bring them to life is still being developed. Thus, many VR programs or games are mixed reality (a mix of semi and fully VRs).

VR Chat is one of the most popular fully immersive VRs and lets users talk and walk around the metaverse with their own virtual character.

Augmented Reality VS Virtual Reality

Most people assume that virtual and augmented reality are the same, but in fact, they are built differently.

The most notable difference is that augmented reality lets users place virtual objects into our physical world using a phone or mobile device. Of course, some programmers are coming up with an augmented reality metaverse, but they aim to let people visualize certain objects in their homes.

For example, some furniture companies let you visualize how a certain piece of furniture will look in your home, so you have an idea if it will complement the room before purchasing it.

Now You Know the Different Types of Virtual Reality

As you have seen, there are several different types of virtual reality that cater to specific user needs. But, much is still being developed in the world of VR, so you should expect important improvements in the coming years.

Did you find this post helpful in understanding virtual reality? If so, feel free to browse through our other tech-related posts before you go!