360º Virtual Reality vs Full Virtual Reality: Which is the Best To Use For VR Training? You’ve probably heard how virtual reality simulates any world you can imagine, enabling your learners to encounter true-to-life scenarios without facing real-world risk. But did you know that there are different types of virtual reality environments? In this post, we’ll break down the two major types of virtual reality
- 360-degree Virtual Reality
- Full Virtual Reality
If you’re reading this post, you’re probably ready to create some cutting-edge virtual training for you and your employees. But the first step is to determine what type of virtual environment is best for you and your learning content.
So let’s jump in and explore the differences between 360-degree virtual reality and full virtual reality. Let’s start by comparing the different immersive experiences that virtual reality can deliver.
Immersive Experience Comparison
360º Virtual Reality
360-degree virtual reality uses a recorded video shot with a 360-degree camera to provide a full view of the scene around you. This means that the items within the experience are real and it’s typically created using actors.
Because this VR experience is not simulated, it provides three degrees of freedom, which means that the user is put in a fixed location with the ability to look left, right, up, and down, but they can’t move around within the VR environment.
Scenarios and branch learning can be built into the 360-degree VR training where selections can be made with hotspots and interactive buttons. But keep in mind that you cannot interact with objects using the headsets.
Full Virtual Reality
Full virtual reality uses an environment made of a digitally engineered environment created by developers. These environments can vary in the amount of detail you see, and there are more opportunities for interactions within the environment.
While 360-degree VR allows the user to make selections, full VR gives the user the ability to interact with objects, whether it’s picking items up, navigating equipment, or other interactions.
Now that we know the differences between the two immersive experiences, keep in mind that one is not better than the other, but they do have use cases where one experience may be more suited than the other.
Use Case Comparison
360º Virtual Reality
Let’s dive into how to use these two experiences. Clients typically use 360-degree VR for soft skills training. This is because we can recreate the right environment, maybe even the client’s own office and the actors within the activity can show microaggressions, emotional outbursts, and put the learner on the spot. More examples or topics for 360-degree VR training include:
- Diversity Training
- Communication
- Management
- Leadership
- Customer Service
- Sales
Most of the time for these types of training activities, the branch learning is done through choice selections, and there’s typically no need to interact with objects within the environment.
Full Virtual Reality
On the other hand, we see full VR being used for technical training topics. This is because we can recreate equipment and hazardous environments for employees to practice in. In addition, learners can use handsets to practice physical movements and interact with objects. More examples or topics for full VR training include:
- Equipment Repair
- Machine Handling
- Safety
- Stacking
- Palletizing
Most of the time for these types of training activities, the branch learning is done through object interaction in addition to choice selection, creating a more immersive experience.
Cost Comparison of 360º Virtual Reality vs Full Virtual Reality
360º Virtual Reality
While we can’t give you an exact price for a VR training program, we can give you a price range. Any custom training program will have many factors affecting what you pay. Some of these factors include:
- Instructional Design
- VR Programming or Filming
- Equipment and Headsets
- Extended Reality Systems
A 360-degree virtual reality training pilot program typically costs between $20,000 to $30,000 for organizations getting started with VR. When you’re ready to move past your pilot program and grow your VR training, you can expect to pay on average between $30,000 and $75,000 or more.
Full Virtual Reality
With a full virtual reality training pilot program, you can expect to pay between $40,000 to $60,000. You should expect to invest between $50,000 and $150,000 or more when you’re ready to move past your pilot program and into a full virtual reality training program design.
