An Introduction to Virtual and Augmented Reality

This book is an introduction to Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), equipping learners with a deep understanding of these media and enabling them to create impactful experiences applicable to a wide range of industries. VR’s immersive environments and AR’s seamless blending of virtual and real elements create effects that no other medium can replicate. This book introduces readers to the hardware and software that power these technologies, explaining them in clear and accessible terms. It then examines the psychological experiences they create, such as the sensations of “presence” and “embodiment” in virtual worlds; explores how real and virtual elements combine in AR and mixed reality; and investigates social VR experiences involving interactions with both real and virtual agents. It concludes by examining how AI and connected virtual social spaces can integrate with VR and AR to shape the next generation of technology platforms. Supported by a wealth of case studies of VR/AR applications and interviews with VR/AR experts, this book serves as a core textbook for students of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality courses in creative and technical fields.