The virtual reality space is crowded as it is, with manufacturers and developers trying to perfect a consumer ready product. Google has taken an extremely interesting approach to virtual reality when it showcased Google Cardboard at its Google I/O event in California at the end of May, 2015.
The “technologyâ€, as its name suggests, is a simple piece of folded cardboard with two lenses and a smartphone. This is in stark contrast to the high-end virtual reality devices such as the Samsung Gear and the Oculus Rift which are high priced, premium offerings.
Google has taken the low-tech approach to be able to get its virtual efforts out into the market where they can be tested and improved. Google’s Cardboard Expeditions detail a plan to get the headsets into classrooms and the education market.
The idea is to allow students to experience an immersive virtual reality field trip. While procuring a Samsung Gear or Oculus Rift for every student at a school may be extremely expensive, Google Cardboard units can be built on site and only require the students to have access to smartphones in order to work.
A virtual reality field trip, like those expected to be provided to the education sector, was demoed at the Google I/O event using Google Cardboard and the Nexus 5 smartphone. The content was based on the exhibits at a Natural History Museum and headphones were used to provide audio.