As I arrive back from the 'Experience the Solar System in VR Workshop', I seem to be experiencing some sort of sensory overload. I have one of those headaches that's behind one of your eyes, and the lingering smell of cardboard is somewhat nauseating. Probably not the experience Google wanted when they created their VR phone app, 'Expeditions'.
But then again, they probably didn't intend for their app to be studied as intensely as I did. But, despite the hangover-esque symptoms - it was strangely worth it. Using a small cardboard contraption in the shape of a pair of goggles, with two lenses and a small space in the front to strap in the phone, we were taken on a whistle stop tour of the Universe, jumping from the International Space Station, to the Moon, to an aerial view of the Earth.
Minus the pungentsmell of cardboard, the tour was incredibly immersive and somewhat inspiring, giving a genuine perspective of space and the vast distances between everything. I suddenly felt small sat in that airy lecture room at Ravensbourne College. My existential crises' were occasionally interrupted by a few facts, which, despite being impressive, couldn't quite compete with my 360 degree view of our solar system. The experience was so immersive that the sense of vertigo you feel from looking down is overpowering, looking down into the abyss and not seeing your feet is something I hope I never experience outside of the safety of my cardboard goggles.
Overall, a fantastic experience. However, the real stars of the event were the two young adults presenting!
Virtual reality is definitely an interesting topic... :)