In this blog post, we will look at the principles and possibilities of virtual reality through Google Cardboard, which changes reality for just $4.
Virtual reality. What does this contradictory word, a combination of virtual, meaning “fake,” and reality, meaning “real,” mean? Virtual reality is a technology that makes something that is not real feel real. For example, using virtual reality technology, you can feel as if you are in the Palace of Versailles in France even though you are in your living room at home, or you can go into the deep sea to see sharks, or you can fly through the sky and see natural landscapes from all over the world. This experience is very innovative in that it allows us to actually experience adventures that we could only encounter in books or movies. Virtual reality, a cutting-edge science and technology, is a key technology that frequently appears in the image of the future society that we dream of. Google, Facebook, and many other high-tech companies are entering the virtual reality market.
But what if you could enjoy this technology for an unlimited time for just $4? Google has made this possible with “Cardboard,” which is made from cardboard and a fisheye lens. Despite its simple composition, Cardboard provides virtual reality to the public in an innovative way. Let’s take a look at the principles of Cardboard that bring virtual reality to life, the uses of the Cardboard project that Google expects, and the future.
The most important thing to achieve virtual reality is to manipulate our field of vision. To make the user feel as if they are actually in the Palace of Versailles in France, the Palace of Versailles should be naturally located in each field of vision whenever the user turns their head. The technology that enables this “smart” display is what has made virtual reality devices like the Oculus Rift so expensive. Cardboard, which first appeared at Google’s 2014 developer event, is a device that allows users to experience virtual reality using their smartphones. Google’s attempt to replace expensive displays with smartphones has created a virtual reality device that costs as little as $4.
So, what is the principle and structure of Google Cardboard’s virtual reality? Cardboard is made of cardboard and fisheye lens. First, a fisheye lens is placed between the user’s eyes and the smartphone’s screen to distort the view. This fisheye lens matches the virtual reality video played on the smartphone to the actual view. And the gyroscope already built into the smartphone recognizes each time the user turns their head and moves the image accordingly. In other words, the smartphone is responsible for playing the virtual reality video and moving the image using the gyroscope sensor, while the cardboard is only responsible for looking through the lens. The cardboard is made of corrugated cardboard, which has the advantage of being easy to assemble. And Google provided the assembly instructions and blueprints as open source, making not only the raw materials cheaper, but the information as well. As a result, several companies began selling cardboard with only a fisheye lens attached, and as a result, people could enjoy virtual reality for just $4.
Cardboard itself is easy and simple to use. Based on this, Google launched Cardboard at the 2014 developer event, and then launched Cardboard 2 at the 2015 developer event. It has since developed into one of Google’s flagship services. The problem naturally led to the creation of “virtual reality videos.” Since Google Cardboard uses smartphones, the commercialization of Google Cardboard will lead to the diversification of virtual reality apps. Currently, there are about 100 Cardboard-supported applications on the Google Play Store, and the content is very lacking. Following the commercialization of Cardboard, Google dreams of commercializing the production of virtual reality content. By signing an agreement with GoPro, a company specializing in action cameras, we have acquired technology that can automatically convert video footage taken using GoPro’s 360-degree cameras into VR content. This has opened up a wider range of content on YouTube, rather than just applications on the Google Play Store.
Virtual reality is not limited to entertainment and entertainment. Virtual reality can also be used in various fields, including education, healthcare, and psychotherapy. For example, students can explore historical sites outside of the classroom through virtual reality technology, medical staff can practice surgery in a virtual environment, and psychotherapists can help patients overcome their fears. These applications show that the development of virtual reality technology is not just a fad, but a sustainable future technology.
Why is Cardboard schematics and virtual reality content creation all being done “open”? Google sees the future of Google Cardboard in education. Unlike other virtual reality devices such as Oculus Rift and Gear VR, Google aims to lead the education market based on the advantage that anyone can get Cardboard at a low price. In the education market, even if it is 85% realistic, which is a little less than 99% realistic, it should be easily accessible to many students. In order to develop educational virtual reality content, we also want to provide the same effect as going to a museum directly by signing an agreement with famous museums such as the American Museum of Natural History. This is an important attempt to help students learn more interestingly and vividly.
The current content is mainly in the fun areas of travel, games, and idol performances. The development of virtual reality technology in these areas has been mainly the responsibility of other virtual reality companies that have been racing to manage content and advance the design and production of VR devices. It was also a natural goal of virtual reality companies to make the dictionary definition of virtual reality, “a technology that makes something feel real but not real,” more plausible. However, Google has focused more on popularizing virtual reality than on advancing it. By using only $4 worth of cardboard and fisheye lenses to amplify virtual reality content and the number of consumers, it seems that the company has taken a step closer to virtual reality technology in the future society that will be depicted in the future.
As virtual reality technology advances, our society is increasingly breaking down the boundaries between the virtual and the real. This change is not only providing new experiences that we could never have imagined, but also driving innovation in various industries. For example, in the field of architecture, you can experience and modify buildings in advance using virtual reality, and in the real estate sector, you can take a virtual tour of a house. In the sports sector, you can train in an environment similar to a real game using virtual reality. As such, virtual reality technology is enriching our lives.
In conclusion, virtual reality technology is going beyond being a mere entertainment tool and is causing innovation in various fields. Cheap and accessible devices such as Google Cardboard are playing a major role in popularizing virtual reality, allowing more people to enjoy the benefits of virtual reality. The development of virtual reality technology will continue to have a major impact on our society, and we can look forward to an even more exciting and prosperous future.
