In an interview with Sarah Hill about Virtual Reality (VR), I asked several questions that will help you better understand the technology.
According to Merriam-Webster.com, the basic definition of VR is “an artificial environment which is experienced through sensory stimuli (as sights and sounds) provided by a computer and in which one’s actions partially determine what happens in the environment.”
Google and Virtual Reality
One part of the Android Ecosystem that’s easy to get started with VR is the product that Google created called Cardboard. Google Cardboard is a VR platform developed for use with a fold-out cardboard device that is mounted on a mobile phone. It is a low-cost system to encourage interest and development in VR and VR applications.
Sarah shares about Virtual Reality and Storytelling
During the interview with Sarah, I discussed several different topics that will help you learn more about VR and how it can be used for storytelling. Currently, Sarah’s company StoryUP VR is using the technology to tell social purpose stories around the world. #VRforgood. It is a VR native media company made up of journalists and digital creatives who want to use this medium to allow other people to step inside stories so they can better understand.
StoryUP is an empathy agency using storytelling + tech to raise awareness for charities and causes. StoryUP released a documentary on the Washington Post (goo.gl/yQxTlU) this year. It was a 360-degree immersion into the lives of people in Zambia who have to crawl on the ground because they lack mobility. Currently, the team is in the Amazon in Brazil profiling the Munduruku Tribe and their use of solar as a solution to a hydro dam that would flood their sacred lands.
During an upcoming trip, StoryUP will head to the Congo to immerse people in Virunga Park so they can better understand the lack of clean energy there. StoryUP is a startup looking for impact investors. You can find StoryUP’s app in the Google Play and iOS stores as of August 2016. Until then, you can view their stories with Google Cardboard.
Let’s learn more from Sarah about VR via the interview …
Q: What is VR and how does it affect today’s technology?
A: Virtual reality (VR) is not a new medium. It’s been around for decades. What’s new are the viewing devices, in which you’re able to view it. For decades, I had been writing, trying to marry words with pictures. With VR, it’s spherical video and the story is on a screen that never ends. With VR, you have the ability to take them inside the story. For example, our nation’s veterans are able to take virtual tours of places like Washington DC to see its monuments. We’re also using VR technology to take people inside homeless camps for veterans, so that people can really see how our nation’s homeless veterans are living.
Q: What is Google Cardboard? How does it fit into the VR world?
A: Google Cardboard is basically a cardboard box that allows you attach your cell phone to the box and experience VR. You can get it starting around $15. There are other virtual reality devices on the market, like the Samsung Gear VR. The Samsung Gear VR functions much like Google Cardboard. Your cell phone snaps into it and the VR app is automatically deployed. Another device is the Zeiss VR One, which uses the same VR apps as Google Cardboard. Different VR goggles have different resolutions and fields of view.
Q: What are some of the main challenge you’re hearing from android developers about interacting VR into their apps?
A: I’m not a developer but I’ve heard from developers that understanding the webVR and WebGL ecosystem is like thinking with a different part of your brain. Some of the challenges as a storyteller are the limitations of the equipment. On our first shoot, there were 12 different cameras. Those images all have to be stitched together with software. Sometimes these cameras will get off sync and make the process a little difficult.
Q: What are teachings that would be helpful to developers?
A: Starting from the ground level and getting familiar with the different VR devices would be a good start. Go to some VR events like VRLA or SVVR and try as many demos as you can. Watch a lot of different kinds of VR from video to CG and see what works and what doesn’t. I blog a lot about VR technology.
Want to learn more about today’s Virtual Reality technology and watch the entire interview on video?
Find the video by visiting goo.gl/tD6t0j
You can purchase Google Cardboard at goo.gl/SFWEVZ
Check out #VRforgood on social media
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