Virtual reality: 4 ways Vancouverites are using VR

Virtual reality has gotten much better in recent years, thanks in part to a group ofVancouverVRenthusiasts who meet every month.

Maria Lantin, research director for Emily Carr University of Art + Design'sStereoscopic 3D Centre, gave The Early Edition guest host Stephen Quinn an introduction on CBC Radio.

1. Medical training

Conquer Mobileuses virtual reality simulations for medical training.

2. Live theatre

AthomasGoldberg, CEO ofPepper's Ghost, uses VR to broadcast live theatricalperformances.

"You can put on your headset, and log into a stream and look around a virtual theatre that is being filmed in 360 [degrees]," says Lantin.

3. A different kind of VR headset

WaveSineSolutions has developed a different kind of head-mounted display. TheSomnusis wireless, transparent and does not fully cover the face.

4.Virtual Reality night

It's a kind of show-and-tell with tech demonstrations.

"People bring their own headsets, or just experience the headsets that we have," she says.

"We'll have it set up with theNaturalPoint[motion capture] system so we put little markers on the hands on the Occulus [VR headset] and on the hands of the user, and then we can track movements in real space. So you can walk around with your headset, so you're not stuck in your chair."

The group meets at The Sawmill, 8938 Shaughnessy St., Vancouver..