Exploring New Realities

Virtual Reality (VR)
Creates an entirely new, three-dimensional digital world the user experiences using a special wireless headset and controllers

Augmented Reality (AR)

Layers text, images, videos, and sound onto a real image or video, which the user typically views with a smartphone or tablet

You stand in front of a giant stage. The crowd is packed shoulder to shoulder. Bright lights flash above you as Billie Eilish appears. To experience a concert like this, you’d normally have to buy a ticket. But this past March, anyone with an Oculus Quest VR headset was able to attend virtually!

As part of Women’s History Month, the company MetaQuest uploaded virtual versions of events with female leaders and creators. Eilish’s performance at the 2021 Governors Ball is one example. The company also regularly schedules concerts and other events that users can join from the comfort of their couch.

You stand in front of a giant stage. The crowd is packed shoulder to shoulder. Bright lights flash above you. Then Billie Eilish appears! To experience a concert like this, you’d normally have to buy a ticket. But this past March, anyone with an Oculus Quest VR headset was able to attend virtually!

March is Women’s History Month. So the company MetaQuest uploaded virtual versions of events with female leaders and creators. Eilish’s performance at the 2021 Governors Ball is one example. The company also regularly schedules concerts and other events that users can join from their couch.

It often takes years of training to learn how to fly a plane, and that training can be dangerous. That’s why some flight schools are turning to VR! True Course Simulations (TCS) has created virtual copies of a few popular training planes, such as the Cessna 172. Its digital training course includes 73 VR missions. Students experience the plane’s controls and movement as if they were in a real cockpit, without ever leaving the ground.

At one major flight school, practicing in VR helped students complete their first solo flight mission more than 30 percent faster than the average first solo flight time!

It often takes years of training to learn how to fly a plane. Plus, that training can be dangerous! That’s why some flight schools are turning to VR. True Course Simulations (TCS) has created virtual copies of a few popular training planes. One example is the Cessna 172. TCS has also designed a digital training course. The course includes 73 VR missions. Students experience the plane’s controls and movement as if they were in a real cockpit. But they never leave the ground!

TCS sold its program to a major flight school. Students there practiced in VR. They completed their first flight mission on their own more than 30 percent faster than most students do!

Want to improve your basketball skills? With Dribbleup, your tablet becomes the trainer! This AR app comes with a smart basketball that pairs wirelessly with your device. As you dribble, the basketball records information about its speed and location. Virtual targets appear on the screen while you train, showing you how to move the ball for the best technique.

Want to improve your basketball skills? With Dribbleup, your tablet becomes the trainer! This AR app comes with a smart basketball. It pairs wirelessly with your device. As you dribble, the basketball records information about its speed and location. Virtual targets appear on the screen while you train. They show you how to move the ball for the best technique.