Virtual reality and augmented reality are shedding their niche technology status, fueled by the pandemic’s heightened demand for digital interaction and a growing interest in immersive experiences. This shift is transforming a variety of industries, from retail and food service to manufacturing and healthcare.
VR and AR development is a field that encompasses several areas of expertise, but the core responsibilities are programming and creating applications that integrate virtual and augmented reality. Developers use software like Unity, Unreal, and WebXR to design and develop AR and VR applications that blur the lines between the real world and a virtual one.
Virtual Reality (VR) creates immersive virtual environments that users experience via hardware like headsets and controllers. These environments can be fabricated, such as in games, or they can be life-like: architects can use VR to help clients “walk through” their home renovations, and firefighters and soldiers can train in hazardous situations without putting themselves at risk.
Augmented Reality (AR) uses a device’s camera to overlay digital information on a live view of the environment. This can be as simple as a mobile phone app, such as Pokemon Go, or as complex as an automotive HUD (heads-up display) that projects speed, directions, and other data onto a windshield.
The best candidates for VR and AR development roles have a strong combination of technical skills and soft skills. Creativity and artistry are important, as is the ability to communicate clearly with nontechnical colleagues.