As technologies around 360\u00b0 virtual reality (VR) continues to evolve at lightning speed with impressive innovations, let\u2019s take a step back and appreciate where it all began. In this article, we will flash back to the history of panoramic images, understand where we are now and explore the possibilities of the future for 360\u00b0VR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
History of 360\u00b0VR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In Greek, pan<\/em> means \u201call\u201d and horama<\/em> means \u201cview\u201d. The term panorama<\/em> dates back to 1787 when English painter Robert Baker created his painting of the Rotunda building in Leicester Square in London, which was specifically built for the panorama. The painting consisted of a 360\u00b0 landscape of the building. This was the first recorded moment where an art piece could virtually create a sense of being elsewhere without physically being there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n As it may be fascinating to look at panoramic paintings, spectators became more enlightened with the realistic advantages of photography. In 1843, Joseph Puchberger received a patent for a swing-lens panoramic camera that only produced 150\u00b0 photographs. The first mass-produced 360\u00b0 panoramic camera was the Al-Vista in America in 1898. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The term virtual reality<\/em> was introduced by Jaron Lanier in the mid-1980s, when he started the invention of the goggles and gloves that which we correlate with VR today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What is 360\u00b0 video?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 360\u00b0 videos are also known as immersive videos<\/em> or spherical videos<\/em>. They are videos that can be recorded using an omnidirectional camera that takes pictures at every angle at the same time. A 360\u00b0 video can also be created using multiple cameras, however, this would require the post-production edit of video stitching to acquire the full panoramic effect. It is usually formatted stereoscopically in order for viewers to see the images directed individually to each eye to create a 3D effect. These videos are designed for personal computers and mobile devices that bring the similar immersion as virtual reality, without the hefty headsets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Current stance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n How are we implementing 360\u00b0VR in this day and age? Users are certainly compelled with the immersion aspect that technology can bring to the overall experience. Today, it is possible to virtually experience a far away place through a 360 video or panorama. This was unimaginable a century ago. Virtual reality transports users into unique dimensions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Nowadays, 360\u00b0VR is present in many modes of media platforms. Users can find 360\u00b0 videos on social media, such as Facebook and YouTube. These videos are being utilised in large organisations to incorporate a fresh and innovative perspective to their services, such as Google and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). <\/p>\n\n\n\n One captivating aspect of 360\u00b0VR is its usage in the classrooms to improve the learning experience of students. This phenomenon has only been in rotation since the last decade. Educators are discovering that when students are provided with such rich, immersive media, they learn better and recall the information with higher success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An example is the Visuon technology that provides an audiovisual 360\u00b0 virtual reality content with Active Points for training and learning purposes. Imagine that you are the headmaster of a university laboratory with expensive equipment that cannot afford to be broken. Instead of practicing with these complex systems directly, using 360\u00b0VR can train the students to use them properly without the risk of breaking any device. The same can be related to the heavy machinery industry. Instead of putting employees\u2019 safety at risk, the application of 360\u00b0VR training can decrease the chances of injuries, and still provide immersion in the exact location in which they would be working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Future of 360\u00b0VR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The ideas are endless when it comes to 360\u00b0VR technology. It is a versatile tool that can be used in many different realms. The educational sphere is certainly taking hold of the vast opportunity that lies in the implementation of VR technology for learning purposes. E-learning is moving at a fast pace to keep up with the way that students are obtaining information, usually through mobile devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the filmmaking industry, producers are beginning to understand how to implement this technology into the overall process. As VR is still in its infancy, the same can be said about VR in filmmaking. The concept of livestream using 360\u00b0 video has been tested, such as during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n VR in filmmaking still requires more research and practice before full implementation as a staple in video recordings. It is an exciting time for the growth of technology to progress at an accelerating rate, so let\u2019s fully immerse and take advantage of this exciting moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Belden-Adams K. (2017) Time Warped: Photography, History, and Temporality. In: Arias E., Combrinck L., Gabor P., Hohenkerk C., Seidelmann P. (eds) The Science of Time 2016. Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings, vol 50. Springer, Cham.<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.libraryireland.com\/irishartists\/robert-barker.php, Retrieved 20\/2\/2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.npg.org.uk\/collections\/search\/person\/mp55767\/robert-barker, Retrieved 20\/2\/2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n http:\/\/www.photo-museum.org\/photography-history\/, Retrieved 20\/2\/2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.loc.gov\/collections\/panoramic-photographs\/articles-and-essays\/a-brief-history-of-panoramic-photography\/, Retrieved 21\/2\/2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.fi.edu\/virtual-reality\/history-of-virtual-reality, Retrieved 21\/2\/2019<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As technologies around 360\u00b0 virtual reality (VR) continues to evolve at lightning speed with impressive innovations, let\u2019s take a step back and appreciate where it all began. In this article, we will flash back to the history of panoramic images, understand where we are now and explore the possibilities of the future for 360\u00b0VR. History […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":812,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[13,15,16,17,6],"yoast_head":"\n