As the hype around virtual reality builds, it seems that more venues are taking its promotion on. South by South West festival in Austin, Texas is perhaps best known for its array of live music performances, but Samsung used the stage to put on a show of their own. At the festival, they released a new concept that will surely have an impact on VR.
SAMSUNG SIMULATES MOTION WITH NEW DEVICE
Called the Entrim 4D headphones, the Samsung device is designed to work while wearing a Gear VR, the companies own virtual reality product. Using electrical impulses, the headset will simulate an actual sense of motion. You won’t just be looking at the world move around you in virtual reality, but now you can feel every sensation of movement.
MOTION WILL SET THE BAR FOR VIRTUAL REALITY
While there is no shortage of excitement for the upcoming trend of virtual reality, it;s still in the infant stages. Samsung Gear VR is set to be one fo the best on the market, but will people take to it as predictions say they will? One concern with virtual reality is that there will be no sense of presence. The VR headsets are limited. One can not move around and have depth perception. It’s a barrier for now, but one that Samsung just may overcome.
THE KEY IS TRICKING THE MIND
Like a good con artist, Samsung will profit by deceiving the mind. Their latest headset tricks the part of the ear that will regulate balance and sense of motion. This mind trick will make it feel like you are actually in the environment of which you see. They call this technology Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS). In layman’s terms, tiny electrical signals are being shot right into the nerves of your ear. It’s not as painful as it sounds, in fact, its the same process used to help stroke patients keep their balance. The whole point of VR is that it puts one in an alternate reality. This should not just be limited to sight, but to all the senses. The Entrim 4D hopes to get our bodies started on this experience. Who knows, perhaps Google Smell-O-Vision is closer than we think.
