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DOI: dx.doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2019.602
HOLOLENS AND VIVE PRO: VIRTUAL to educational or clinical settings [1, 3]. The terms “augmented reali- REALITY HEADSETS [2, 3]. ty” and “mixed reality” refer to an HTC VIVE Pro. Virtual reality approach to virtual reality that is headset; HTC; DEVICE DESCRIPTIONS not totally immersive [1]. Rather https://www.vive.com/eu/produ than totally immersing a user in a ct/vive-pro-full-kit/; VIVE Pro completely virtual visual environ- support.enterprise@htc.com; see ment, mixed and augmented reali- The VIVE Pro from HTC was re- website or contact authorized ty devices and applications layer leased April 5, 2018 [4]. The VIVE resellers for enterprise pricing. interactive images over the physi- Pro is an immersive virtual reality cal environment. Microsoft HoloLens. Mixed reality headset that uses two infrared sen- headset; Microsoft; sors, called base stations, and two Unlike the VIVE Pro, HoloLens https://www.microsoft.com/en- handheld controllers to track the uses gesture and gaze (looking at a us/hololens/why-hololens; see motion of users wearing the head- specific area of the virtual envi- website or contact authorized re- set [1, 2, 5, 6]. The headset must be ronment) recognition technology sellers for enterprise pricing; rental used in range of the base stations to and does not require the use of options available. function properly and currently handheld controllers, though a requires a wired connection to a clicker that can be used in place of virtual reality–ready computer, tap gestures is included with the though HTC recently began accept- headset. Users interact with the ing preorders for a wireless adapter virtual interface and holograms for both the VIVE Pro and VIVE through a combination of gazing INTRODUCTION virtual reality headsets [7]. The ar- and tapping, grasping, or using the bloom hand gesture to open and Virtual reality is “a three- ea within range of the base stations close windows and menus [12]. The dimensional computer-generated is usually referred to as the “play Cortana virtual assistant and voice environment, either real-world or area” and is often marked on the command functions are also built imagined, that simulates an intrac- floor in the physical spaces where in to HoloLens [13]. The headset is table sensory experience through the headsets are being used [2, 8]. designed to operate as a self- the use of specific equipment” [1]. The play area should be kept clear contained unit and can be operated In the past decade, a number of of obstacles, including furniture, through a wireless connection only. commercial tools for accessing im- while the headset is in use [2, 8]. mersive and mixed virtual reality The VIVE Pro has a larger play area Operation of the HoloLens environments have been released. than its predecessor, the HTC does not require additional external These tools are now entering the VIVE, and includes a front-facing sensors or a constant connection to higher education ecosystem and camera, detachable speakers, ad- a computer, although the device are likely to become a common tool justments for lens and interpupil- can be managed by connecting it to for research, instruction, and even lary distance, and a redesigned a desktop through an included USB health care delivery in the next ten headband [9, 10]. The face cushion cable. Users can also pair HoloLens to twenty years [1]. The VIVE Pro on the headset can be easily re- with Bluetooth devices, including from HTC and the HoloLens from placed [11]. wireless keyboards, to facilitate Microsoft are two virtual reality typing and other tasks. HoloLens Microsoft Hololens headsets that are quickly gaining automatically calibrates pupillary recognition, although neither has The Microsoft HoloLens is an aug- distance and features an adjustable yet to be identified as having a mented reality headset that the headband. The headset includes clear advantage over the other in manufacturer describes as “the built-in speakers and can support terms of usability in or applicability leader in mixed reality technology” two to three hours of battery- powered use [13].
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DOI: dx.doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2019.602
SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIRED handheld controllers. The Ho- ther than large organizations or EQUIPMENT loLens commercial suite provides educational institutions. Steam VR Both the HoloLens and the VIVE access to a kiosk mode and device provides commercial site licensing Pro provide a high-resolution dis- management tools that are inte- through the Steam PC Café pro- play. The HoloLens resolution is grated into Microsoft Enterprise gram [20]. Libraries should exam- 2.4 million total light points, while systems [18, 19]. The HoloLens in- ine the terms of this license the VIVE Pro provides a combined terface will be familiar to users who carefully when considering this 2880 x 1600 pixels [13]. At 579 use the Windows operating system option for virtual reality work- grams, the HoloLens slightly out- on other computing platforms, station management. As described weighs the VIVE Pro, which VR making first-time use of the device on the program website, the Steam Bound reports as weighing 555 easier for users. Though it is self- PC Café program allows users to grams [13, 14]. Weight and ergo- contained and does not require ad- access institutional content as well nomics are important considera- ditional accessories, the commercial as their personal Steam VR ac- tions for virtual reality headsets license for HoloLens has a much counts, which is likely to lead to because they influence how long higher price point than the VIVE devices being used for purposes users can comfortably wear a de- Pro, even when considering the other than education and training. vice. additional equipment needed to Other vendors, such as Spring- create a play space. boardVR, offer management ser- The VIVE Pro uses Steam VR vices for virtual reality stations, The need for a dedicated play software and must be continuously and interested librarians should space for the VIVE Pro is a disad- connected to a virtual reality–ready expect management and licensing vantage for those working with computer that meets the minimum options in this area to change rap- limited physical library space. specifications for both the headset idly in the next several years [21]. and any desired software [15, 16]. Though the computer workstation Use of the VIVE Pro also requires required to operate the VIVE Pro Use of the HoloLens in profes- purchasing and operating 2 base may be a disadvantage in terms of sional and educational settings re- stations and 2 handheld controllers space allocation and space use lo- quires the HoloLens commercial [2]. As of September 2018, mini- gistics, the dedicated workstation suite, which significantly increases mum specifications for a work- will facilitate storing large files the price of the device. There are station to be used with the VIVE more easily than the HoloLens, several options for device man- Pro headset are an Intel Core i5- which has 64GB Flash and 2GB agement that are supported by the 4590 processor and an NVIDIA RAM onboard memory [13]. The commercial suite, including a kiosk GeForce GTC 970 graphics card or required dedicated virtual reality mode and multiple device man- their equivalents. At least 4 giga- ready workstation also allows li- agement that can be implemented bytes (GB) RAM is also required, braries to connect multiple moni- using Microsoft enterprise tools and Windows 10 is the recom- tors or televisions to a single [21]. Microsoft provides a rental mended operating system for best source, which enables users who option for the HoloLens that will be results, though Windows 7 and are not wearing the headset to view useful for libraries wishing to ex- later systems are supported [2]. activities taking place in the virtual plore use of these devices without HoloLens requires at least 8GB environment. making a long-term commitment to RAM and Windows 10 [17]. an unfamiliar platform and device. SOFTWARE AND MANAGEMENT The promise of virtual reality STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES Following device selection and set- for simulation, training, and educa- tion is vast. Common health scienc- The HoloLens has several ad- up, the greatest challenge for librar- ies interested in providing access to es–related software content vantages over the VIVE Pro in typically covers topics such as hu- terms of device management, even virtual reality tools will be software and device management. man anatomy, overviews of surgi- though the VIVE Pro provides a cal procedures, and occasional richer virtual reality experience. During device setup, the VIVE tours of programs that are intended The HoloLens does not require a Pro user instructions direct users to to be used for clinical interventions, dedicated play area, is self- use Steam VR, which is designed such as Therapy Lens for the Ho- contained, and does not require primarily for individual users, ra- loLens [22, 23]. There are also
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DOI: dx.doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2019.602
viewer programs available for digi- of health sciences–related software not be underestimated. The inter- tal imaging and communications in that is available for the VIVE Pro sectional nature of these devices medicine (DICOM) files [23]. Many and HoloLens. makes them ideally suited for use of these programs are free or low- in the library. By nature of their cost, making ongoing costs for SUMMARY relationship to issues of access to supporting virtual reality tools eas- both technology and information, ily feasible after the initial purchase Virtual reality devices are heavily librarians already possess the of equipment. Interestingly, even used as soon as they are made knowledge and skills needed to though software that addresses available in educational environ- support the introduction and use of similar topics is available on both ments, even though the manage- these tools by patrons with a wide- platforms, there does not yet seem ment ecosystems, research, and ly varying degree of technical skills to be cross-platform duplication of instructional uses for these devices and knowledge. It will be to the software packages. This might be a are still in the early stages of devel- advantage of academic health sci- limiting factor for libraries that opment [25]. The utility of these ences and other medical libraries to wish to offer the same software on devices to support student learn- proactively plan to provide access different virtual reality platforms. ing, training, simulation, and even- to these devices for educational Tables 1 and 2 provide an overview tually health care delivery should and research purposes.
Table 1 Anatomy and health sciences–related software available for the HTC VIVE Pro [15]
Name Content Cost 3D Organon VR Anatomy Human anatomy Paid The Body VR: Anatomy Viewer Human anatomy Free MEDICALHOLODECK View DICOM imaging Free, paid version available The Physiology of the Eye Human anatomy, eye anatomy Paid Sharecare VR Human anatomy, eye anatomy Free
Table 2 Anatomy and health sciences–related applications for the Microsoft HoloLens [24]
Name Content Cost The Cystic Fibrosis-CRISPR Experience CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing Free Dicom Director View DICOM imaging Free demo DynamicAnatomy Human anatomy, ankle joint Free Holo Eye Anatomy Human anatomy, eye anatomy Free HoloAnatomy Human anatomy academic course content Free tour Human eye and cataract Human anatomy, eye anatomy Free Insight Heart Human anatomy, heart Free Learning Heart Human anatomy, heart Free Therapy Lens Demonstration of mixed reality to support Free demo activities of daily living
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REFERENCES 9. HTC. Adjusting the lens distance on 18. Microsoft. Buy Microsoft HoloLens for the headset [Internet]. VIVE; 2018 developers and business [Internet]. 1. Peppler KA. Virtual reality. The Sage [cited 7 Sep 2018]. Microsoft; 2018 [cited 6 Sep 2018]. encyclopedia of out-of-school learning.
5. HTC. About the VIVE base stations 13. Microsoft. HoloLens hardware details 22. Hermsdörfer J, Armstrong A. Therapy [Internet]. VIVE; 2018 [cited 7 Sep [Internet]. Microsoft, Windows Lens [Internet]. Therapy Lens; 2018 2018]. Development Center; 2018 [cited 6 Sep [cited 7 Sep 2018].
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jmla.mlanet.org 107 (1) January 2019 Journal of the Medical Library Association