Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality (VR) is basically allows a user to interact with a computer-simulated environment, whether that environment is a simulation of the real world or an imaginary world. Most current virtual reality environments are primarily visual experiences, displayed on a computer screen, but some simulations include additional sensory information, such as sound through speakers or headphones. Users can interact with a virtual environment or a virtual artifact (VA) either through the use of standard input devices such as a keyboard and mouse, or through multimodal devices such as a wired glove. The simulated environment can be similar to the real world, In practice, it is currently very difficult to create a high-fidelity virtual reality experience, due largely to technical limitations on processing power, image resolution and communication bandwidth. However, those limitations are expected to eventually be overcome as processor, imaging and data communication technologies become more powerful and cost-effective over time.Virtual Reality is often used to describe a wide variety of applications, commonly associated with its immersive, highly visual, 3D environments.
Michael Heim identifies seven different concepts of Virtual Reality as given below:
1. Simulation
2. Interaction
3. Artificiality
4. Immersion
5. Telepresence
6. Full-body immersion
7. Network communication.
Technology:
To run the most basic VR system one must have the following:
• one or more powerful computers
• sensors or input devices
• display arrangements
• virtual environment rendering software
Types of VR system:
There are different types of VR systems, but most can be classified into one of the following three categories:Desktop VR, Video Mapping VR, and Immersive VR.
Impact:
Virtual Reality (VR) is basically allows a user to interact with a computer-simulated environment, whether that environment is a simulation of the real world or an imaginary world. Most current virtual reality environments are primarily visual experiences, displayed on a computer screen, but some simulations include additional sensory information, such as sound through speakers or headphones. Users can interact with a virtual environment or a virtual artifact (VA) either through the use of standard input devices such as a keyboard and mouse, or through multimodal devices such as a wired glove. The simulated environment can be similar to the real world, In practice, it is currently very difficult to create a high-fidelity virtual reality experience, due largely to technical limitations on processing power, image resolution and communication bandwidth. However, those limitations are expected to eventually be overcome as processor, imaging and data communication technologies become more powerful and cost-effective over time.Virtual Reality is often used to describe a wide variety of applications, commonly associated with its immersive, highly visual, 3D environments.
Michael Heim identifies seven different concepts of Virtual Reality as given below:
1. Simulation
2. Interaction
3. Artificiality
4. Immersion
5. Telepresence
6. Full-body immersion
7. Network communication.
Technology:
To run the most basic VR system one must have the following:
• one or more powerful computers
• sensors or input devices
• display arrangements
• virtual environment rendering software
Types of VR system:
There are different types of VR systems, but most can be classified into one of the following three categories:Desktop VR, Video Mapping VR, and Immersive VR.
Virtual reality has great impact on human life and activity.
- Virtual reality integrates daily life and activity. It influences human behavior, interpersonal communication, and cognition (i.e., virtual genetics).
- As we spend more and more time in virtual space, it results into important changes in economics, worldview, and culture.
- The design of virtual environments may be used to extend basic human rights into virtual space, to promote human freedom and well-being, and to promote social stability as we move from one stage in socio-political development to the next.
Implementation:
To develop a real time virtual environment, a computer graphics library can be used as embedded resource coupled with a common programming language, such as C++, Perl, Java or Python. Some of the most popular computer graphics library/API/language are OpenGL, Direct3D, Java3D and VRML, and their use will be directly influenced by the system demands in terms of performance, program purpose, and hardware platform. The use of multithreading can also accelerate 3D performance and enable cluster computing with multi-user interactivity.
Manufacturing:
Virtual reality can provide new product design, helping as an ancillary tool for engineering in manufacturing processes, new product prototype and simulation. Among other examples, we may also quote Electronic Design Automation, CAD, Finite Element Analysis, and Computer Aided Manufacturing. The use of Stereo lithography and 3D printing shows how computer graphics modeling can be applied to create physical parts of real objects used in marine, aerospace and automotive industry. Beyond modeling assembly parts, 3D computer graphics techniques are currently used in the research and development of medical devices for innovative therapies, treatments, patient monitoring, and diagnosis of complex diseases.
Pros and Cons:
The following table gives some of the major arguments for and against of a virtual reality:
Computing Power is continuously increasing. If this is the case then soon we will have a computer powerful enough to run immersive VR programs in our own homes by the year 2037 with the help of advancements in nanotechnology and quantum computing. But then also virtual reality has to face some challenges. Virtual reality has been heavily criticized for being an inefficient method for navigating non-geographical information. At present, the idea of ubiquitous computing is very popular as the aim of ubiquitous computing is to bring computer into user’s world rather than forcing the user to interact with computers. Thus it may create threats for virtual reality.
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This article is the topic of 7th unit from RTMNU MBA 3 rd sem IT syllabus notes.Further topics will be covered in upcoming blogs For more notes you can also refer to other links as given below:
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