Virtual reality

Explore beyond reality

When we speak about Virtual Reality (VR), we often associate it with entertainment or the famous metaverse. However, this technology is becoming a fundamental tool in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Imagine being able to travel to any part of the world without leaving home, explore the inside of the human body, or even train to be an airplane pilot from the comfort of your living room. This disruptive technology has multiple applications in a wide variety of sectors, from education and training to energy, medicine, or architecture.

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What is virtual reality?

Virtual reality is a technology that allows us to create simulated environments that users can experience as if they were real. They are generated by computers and displayed through special devices, such as virtual reality headsets or goggles. 

Differences between virtual and augmented reality

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are two technologies that are often confused with each other. However, there are differences.

Virtual reality: 

  • Creates a completely new virtual world.
  • Requires the use of a device, such as a virtual reality headset or goggles, that isolates the user from the real world. 
  • Allows for greater freedom of movement and more immersive interaction with the virtual environment.
  • Ranges from entertainment (games, 360º movies) to training (flight simulators, medical practices) and therapies (treatment of phobias, physical rehabilitation). 

Augmented reality: 

  • Superimposes virtual elements on the real world, enriching it with additional information.
  • Can be used with simpler devices, such as smartphones or tablets. 
  • Interaction with virtual elements is more limited, as they are superimposed on the real world through the screen.  
  • Is used in various fields, such as industrial maintenance (remote support, procedure simulation), education (interactive books, virtual museum tours), marketing (virtual product testing), and gaming (Pokemon GO). 

 

In short, virtual reality provides a fully immersive experience in a digital environment, while augmented reality enriches the real world with additional information and digital elements.

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Advantages of virtual reality

Total immersion

It facilitates the experience of situations and sensations as if we were inside them. It allows you to travel anywhere in the world, explore the bottom of the ocean, or even live space adventures.

Safe training

It enables the creation of simulated environments to train professionals in risky situations, such as pilots, firefighters, or medical personnel, without jeopardizing their safety.

Improves education

Virtual reality has become an invaluable educational tool, since it allows students to learn in a more interactive and experiential way, from visiting historical sites to conducting scientific experiments.

Therapeutic treatments

It is used in therapies to treat phobias, trauma, anxiety disorders, and chronic pain, offering patients a safe and controlled environment to face their challenges.

Innovation in entertainment

It has revolutionized the entertainment industry, with video games, movies, and 360º experiences that immerse us in fantastic worlds and transport us to other realities.

Increased productivity

It is used in the business environment to improve collaboration, communication, and employee training, resulting in increased productivity and efficiency.

Improved user experiences

It is used to create more engaging and personalized user experiences in a variety of industries, such as tourism, marketing, and retail.

Remote collaboration

It facilitates collaboration on projects and tasks remotely, allowing people to work as if they were in the same physical space, breaking down geographical barriers and improving the efficiency of teamwork.

Realistic simulations

It enables the creation of increasingly realistic simulations that are used in various fields, such as architecture, engineering, and design, to visualize and test prototypes more accurately and efficiently.

Repsol and virtual reality

At Repsol, we understand that innovation is essential to remain at the forefront of the energy sector. That's why, at our Technology Lab, our research and development center, we continuously work to develop more efficient and sustainable technologies, contributing to the reduction of the carbon footprint.

Among our most innovative projects in the field of virtual reality, the following stand out:

  • Open Doors Days: over 3,500 people, including Repsol employees and their family members, took part in the Repsol Campus Open Doors Days in Madrid. Over 5 days, the attendees enjoyed an augmented reality experience developed by Pixel Dreams. Through 2 applications, visitors were able to geolocate the different spaces of the event, create avatars, and explore 4 virtual islands representing the company's values.
  • Digital twins: in collaboration with OVS Group, we have developed Automated Production Management (APM) and Integrated Flow Models (IFM) digital twins. These tools allow our operators and engineers to quickly identify, classify, and track optimization opportunities, improving efficiency and production through the integration of information from workflows with various data sources.
  • Offshore VR app: we have launched a free mobile application that allows users to explore the company's 10 key Exploration and Production (E&P) projects through a virtual reality experience. They can take a virtual tour of the facilities, as well as interact with elements. Offshore VR is aimed at students, industry professionals, and anyone interested in the energy industry, and is available for Android and iOS devices.