My Oculus
The Oculus is a helmet-eyeglass-styled device. It features two ergonomic hand controls, where fingers fall naturally on the buttons. You can listen to and see exciting virtual reality experiences through this fantastic invention. For us, this takes on greater value because, in this alternating reality, users do not have mobility problems.
The Oculus exists in the Metaverse. It is a virtual open space between many people, created by the convergence of physical and digital reality. Technology is moving towards making you feel things physically through immersive experiences that feel more real every day. It is an alternate life where you can be who you want, when you want and when you want.
But, while it looks like perfect entertainment, as a person living with a spinal injury, there are things I noticed need improvement. The device is heavy, my neck strains, and after about 10 minutes, I feel some discomfort. My injury is T4, and I do not have much abdominal strength, so I must make a lot of effort with my neck to maintain my posture. I understand that it will be much more difficult for a person living with a cervical-level injury. However, I was surprised and disappointed to realize I could not use the Oculus while lying down. The system does not read that position well and does not allow you to enter the virtual world.
While they seem to have significant limitations, I am always amazed at where the technology is headed and how it could help the different populations with functional diversity. Of course, the Oculus is a growing project, and everything that needs improvement must already be in the works. However, today, you can already do many things in the stationary mode, which can be seated.
The games you can enjoy that have attracted the most attention are:
- Population One
- Waltz of the Wizard
- Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funny Flash News!
- Iron lights
- Arizona Sunshine
- Trover Saves the Universe
- Real Fishing VR
- Gravity Lab
- Red Matter
- The Walking Dead Saints & Sinners
- Audio Trip
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If you are not into games like I am, the Oculus has other great alternatives to enjoy. You can use it on social platforms like Facebook, and there are already several applications to socialize. Every day, new applications come out to help us with various tasks, better entertain us, and facilitate meetings at work and with friends. Here you can find some applications that I am still studying. Yes, it is a lot of information, and I assure you that each application requires looking into it, but I assure you that it is worth entering into this virtual reality. You can see places worldwide, documentaries, paint, take lessons, go to concerts, and theaters, exercise, and even create a business within virtual reality. Here I mention them for you to review:
- Videos 360º
- Within VR
- LittlStar VR Cinema
- Facebook 360
- Youtube VR
- FullDive VR
- Netflix VR
- Paint apps in virtual reality:
- Tilt Brush
- KingsSpray Graffiti VR
- Virtual reality experiences:
- Google Earth VR
- The Machine to Be Another
Remember, the Oculus is in its trial versions. It is essential that you not only enjoy it but also communicate with the Oculus company and make yourself available for reports on how equipment can be improved for the functional diversity population.
Gretchelle Dilan, Ph.D., lives in Puerto Rico with a spinal cord injury. She is an industrial psychologist and a blogger for the Reeve Foundation’s Spanish Blog. Subscribe to our blogs in Spanish to learn about topics of interest such as employment, mental health, research, daily experiences, and more. Go to www.ChristopherReeve.org/Blog and click on the “Spanish” tag.