Today, however, VR is rapidly moving from fiction to reality. There are many VR headsets available on the market, from expensive and sophisticated industrial models to basic consumer models designed to strap a mobile phone in front of your eyes.

A New Market of Amazing Possibilities

In just the two years since Google introduced its bare-bones Cardboard headset and Facebook about Oculus Rift, virtual reality has grown immensely. The amazing success of the augmented reality (AR) game Pokemon Go has spurred the development of this technology even faster. Some market analysts think this year the market for VR hardware and software combined will pass $1 billion for the first time. And one estimate has predicted that market could grow to a staggering $1 trillion by 2035.

The reason for that growth shows that VR is more than just a novelty or even a fun platform for entertainment. VR is also proving to be incredibly useful in a wide range of fields – for architecture and modeling, therapy, medicine, real estate, industrial training and more.

When it comes to therapy, for example, VR is helping people come to grips with a wide range of problems, such as their fear of heights or paranoia. Using VR, people can gently experience life-like situations, while maintaining control over the experience, allowing them to get used to their fears and perhaps even overcome them.

VR simulators can even replicate experiences no one has ever had – for instance, trying out life on Mars. The Martian VR Experience is a 30-minute interactive film that allows people to pretend they are traveling to and then living on the surface of the Red Planet.

Improving Production, Upping Safety

VR is also very useful when it comes to industry, government and other practical fields. Flight simulators have long been a key part of training pilots, both for the military and for commercial airlines, and now VR is taking the effectiveness of that training to the next level.

In medicine, VR is helping patients deal with a wide range of injuries and other issues. For surgeons, VR provides an opportunity to practice complicated techniques and experience rare situations, helping to boost their effectiveness in the operating room.

For engineers and architects, VR technology can help them experience what the final design is like, and see what it like from inside and outside and all angles. And for real estate, VR lets house-hunters explore a space from home, making the difficult task of house-hunting much more efficient and enjoyable.

Plus VR allows workers and other experience a huge range of environments and hone their skills in situations that normally would have been quite dangerous. Thanks for this amazing new technology, though, now they are train and work on their skills in a safe situation, until they are ready for the field.

POSCO Gets Real with VR

POSCO, too, is embracing the new and exciting world of VR, using it to highlight and improve its products. Recently POSCO filmed the entire steelmaking process in 360-degree video, from loading and unloading raw materials to shipping the final products, so anyone could experience what it is like to visit a steelworks in person. In addition to allowing viewers to see how steel is made, the VR movie also allowed people to get a close-up look at many parts of the steel process that are usually too dangerous for visitors.

That VR video was on display at Steel & Metal Korea 2016 (SMK 2016), held at the Ilsan KINTEX from September 27 to 30.

What’s next for VR? As more and more industries pour resources into R&D and try out promising new approaches, clearly the sky is the limit. More than just headsets, researchers are now adding interactive gloves and other technologies to make VR ever more immersive and realistic. Look for POSCO, as always, to be at the forefront of these new advances, using the next generation of technologies to lead the world of steel.

POSCO Stands Out at Steel & Metal Korea 2016

POSCO to Use VR Content to Promote Its Steel Products and Exceptional Manufacturing Process

Why Steel-Type Characters Win in Pokémon Go

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Players in almost every city around the globe are now roaming through streets, parks, historical landmarks and neighborhoods in the hope of capturing a new Pokémon to train and prepare for battle. Currently, there are 151 Pokémon characters available in Pokémon Go that players (or “trainers”) must find and catch – each monster bagged brings them closer to the title of Master Trainer.

Source: Pokemon go official website

The original Pokémon, an abbreviated name derived from Pocket Monsters, came from the imagination of creator Satoshi Tajiri. Pokémon was first released as a role-playing game for Nintendo’s Game Boy in 1995, and after experiencing tremendous success, Pokémon transformed into a US$ 46 billion franchise that includes video games, trading cards, animated television series, movies, comic books, toys, and even smartphones and mobile games.

There are over 700 characters in the Pokémon universe, although Pokémon Go features just 151. Pokémon Go characters include the Normal-type, Rock-type, Grass-type, Bug-type, Flying-type, Water-type, Ice-type, Fire-type, Poison-type, Ground-type, Electric-type, Fighting-type, Psychic-type, Dark-type, Fairy-type, Dragon-type, Ghost-type and Steel-type.

Steel-type Pokémon was introduced in the second generation of Pokémon games. They are fittingly, the strongest type of Pokémon defensively, with many other types of characters deemed not very effective against them. In fact, Poison-type Pokémon have no effect at all on Steel-based characters. Steel-type Pokémon have the highest average defense statistics in the game, making them a highly sought-after group of characters.

Source: Pokemon go official website

In episode 152 of the Pokémon animated series, trainers Brock and Ash discover the power of a Steel-type Pokémon, Skarmory, in an epic battle against their Fire-type characters. Throughout the animated series, Steel-type Pokémon have consistently proven their strength and ability, even when confronted with the toughest opponents.

The Mechanics of Steel-type Pokémon

In the original Pokémon set, there are a total of 49 Steel-type characters with six notable Steel-type trainers. Of the 49 Steel-type Pokémon, only five are so-called “pure” Steel-types, meaning steel is their only attribute. The remaining 44 are either dual-type, meaning they possess the power of steel combined with another skill, or, are characters that have Steel-type moves.

Pokémon Go, however, only includes two of the 49 Steel-type Pokémon; Magnemite and Magneton – both of which are dual-type characters with electricity being their other paired skill. Magnemite and Magneton are both highly respected Pokémon within the character database. One player commented that “Magnemite was a Steel Pokémon before Steel Pokémon were even a type.” Another player says that “Magneton + Eviolite has surprised several opponents with its durability, and the Speed Attack is almost Magnezone-level, while also slightly faster.”

Source: Pokemon go official website

When trainers choose to battle using their Steel-type Pokémon, they must consider the pros and cons of using this sort of character against an opponent. In terms of attack, Steel-types are very effective against Ice, Rock and Fairy-types, but they often falter against Fire, Water and Electric-types. In the meantime, Steel-types provide an equal match against other Steel-types.

In defense against other monsters, Steel-types are completely immune to Poison-types; are minimally affected by Normal, Grass, Ice, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Dragon and Fairy-types; and are greatly affected by trainers wielding Fire, Fighting and Ground-type Pokémon.

Source: flickr.com

When a trainer or a player selects a Steel-type Pokémon to battle with, depending on their level and character, they will have several effective steel moves to choose from. Some of the more effective attack moves include Heavy Slam, Iron Defense, Iron Head, Iron Tail, King’s Shield, Magnet Bomb, Metal Burst, Metal Claw and Meteor Mash – each dealing out a significant amount of damage on their opposition.

Overall, Steel-type monsters are ranked fourteenth in terms of Hit Points; fifth in Attack; first in Defense; twelfth in Speed Attack; third in Speed Defense and sixteenth in Speed – all of which make for very impressive Pokémon statistics.

Catch a Steel-type, Catch a Win

Pokémon Go players hoping to add the powerful Steel-type characters Magnemite and Magneton to their collection are advised to look in large buildings and also near railway tracks, along with other locations where steel is predominantly present. Players should be cautious however, when playing the game near railway tracks, and never risk getting too close to the lines. Experts say that visiting train stations and checking out the platforms should do the trick.

Steel-type characters are not easy to catch, and it takes some practice and experience to nab these elusive metal beasts. Having a Steel-type character in your Pokémon Go arsenal will help increase your chances of coming out victorious, when faced with more experienced players – and take you one step closer to becoming a Master Trainer!

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