Point out that measures to 'walking VR' will be essential

by Skydeas

Oculus announced the new VR headset " Oculus Quest " on September 26, 2018. Oculus Quest is a device that can enjoy VR by itself without a PC or smartphone, it is capable of 6 DOF tracking by moving back and forth, left and right, up and down, as well as having cutting-edge optical performance of 1600 × 1440 pixels × 2 · 72 Hz . With such a high-performance integrated VR device, the feeling of immersion in VR further increases, while the use of VR outdoors is accompanied by dangers, the VR content vender " Sixer VR " points out.

Worldscale VR is exciting ... and maybe dangerous | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/2018/11/01/worldscale-vr-is-exciting-and-maybe-dangerous/

In order to enjoy fulfilling VR content up to now, a high spec PC and a large room were necessary. However, with the spread of standalone integrated VR devices such as Oculus Quest, Oculus Go , and Vive Focus , it is becoming easier to enjoy VR content outdoors. Especially with Oculus Quest supporting 6 DoF, since the movements of running and jumping are reflected, it is also possible to play while playing in a big place like a park.

While being awarded the benefit of "enjoying VR anytime, anywhere" with integrated VR devices, there is also the possibility of becoming a nuisance to the public. For example, when the Internet can be easily and casually available anytime anywhere with the spread of smartphones, " walking smartphone " which operates smartphones while walking became a social problem. People who do walking smaho calls " Smartphone Zombie " overseas and is being avoided. Like this walking smartphone, when using a VR device in the public place, it is pointed out that the risk of leading to accidents, such as hitting people and things without stepping forward and stepping on their feet.

As a countermeasure against this, there is an attempt to prepare open spaces and contents that can play VR vividly outdoors. For example, the following movies are demonstrations of VR content "Return to Grindelind" developed by Sixer VR for experimental purposes. "Return to Grindelind" is "World Scale" VR content whose scales in reality and VR space are almost the same. Since the soccer field prepared in advance and the VR space are almost the same size, there is no worry of hitting a wall or stepping on a foot while playing.

(SixerVR.com) Return to Grindelind- worldscale VR Vive Focus experience - YouTube


Through experiments, Sixer VR discovered that "VR space can be felt more realistic by actually walking with feet towards what is visible in the distance". "Return to Grindelind" sometimes links the reality with the VR space, and even when the headset is removed, it seems that the feeling seems to be that the VR space is still displayed there. "When you enjoy world-class VR content on a monolithic VR device, the virtual reality will erode the reality at an unprecedented level," Sixer VR testifies.

Sixer VR says "If world-scale VR content gets widespread, a new form of public space will probably appear, and a solution to attach a sensor to the VR device and warn you if there are obstacles in front of you In any case, as the world scale VR content evolves, we should discuss discussion on usage, design responsibility, manners etc in public space. "