WHAT IS VR ?

Virtual reality, or VR, is the latest buzzword in the wonderful world of technology. Don't be fooled into thinking it is a new technology though, it isn't, but that's not to say it isn't something to get excited about.

First things first, you're going to need to know what VR actually is. The clue is in the name - it's the experience of a world that doesn't actually exist. The virtual reality we are talking about is one created by computers that allows you to experience and interact with a 3D world that isn't real by putting on a head-mounted display. The display will typically be split between your eyes, creating a 3D effect with stereo sound.

VR will make you feel like you are there mentally and physically. You turn your head and the world turns with you so the illusion you are in is never lost. VR as we know it today has been around for decades. To give you an idea, the first head-mounted display was a device called Headsight that was created in the 1960s. But there were non-digital forms too. Think of 360 degree paintings that had the same aim: to take your experience to another place. The technology has been used for all sorts of things over its 200 years from science and medicine to training pilots and helping architects present their latest skyscraper.

At the moment VR is about gaming but that's not all that it is good for. Audi announced it would be putting VR in some of its stores. This means customers can experience any model of their cars in any colour they want and in the type of surroundings they might drive in. VR in 2017 is an exciting time for technology.

What about you? Would you like to get lost in the VR world?