Virtual Reality - Essay Example

Virtual Reality Introduction Virtual reality is a computer simulated life which replicates an environment that simulates physical presence that enables the users to interact with the real or imagined world (Biocca & Levy, 2013). It also creates artificial sensory environment including a sense of touch and smell. A computer screen is used in most cases for display. Technological tools play an important role in creating virtual reality. Virtual reality is applied in many areas including the training of pilots, combat training and gaming. The simulated environment is usually similar to the real world, and hence it’s wide application. Science fiction played an important role in creating the virtual reality. The paper discusses the concepts of virtual reality and its application. Discussion Existing systems and solutions The virtual reality systems play an important role in education and training. It provides a solution to some of the challenges that the students may be facing. Virtonomics is one of the existing systems that are widely used by the students during training. It enables the students to test their knowledge and skills in the virtual economy. This has played an important role in providing solutions to the challenges that the students are likely to face in the real world. Virtual reality systems are widely used for military combat training. It enables the recruits to carry out their training under a controlled environment where they can respond to different situations. Head mounted display together with virtual reality weapon is used during the training of the recruits (Ohta & Tamura, 2014). Virtual reality enables the solders to train under different terrains without necessarily visiting such terrains physically. The existing virtual reality is also used widely for the training of combat pilots. This enables them to obtain the skills required in the battle field. Virtual reality systems are also used during the tank drivers. The existing systems, therefore, play an important role in ensuring that different personnel can obtain the required experience. Virtual reality is also used in some of the countries for train firemen. In other countries, it is used for training the doctors to respond to a different live threatening situation of the patients (Seth, Vance & Oliver, 2011). Virtual reality is also used for gaming. The head mounted display is usually used for gaming. This has greatly improved the gaming industry with most of the aspects being similar to real situations. Virtual reality is also used in other areas such as fine arts for documentation. In archeology, the concept of virtual reality is used for carrying out the reconstruction of the past artifacts as well as building. Virtual reality technologies Virtual reality involves using the personal computer to create a simulated three-dimensional world. A wide range of systems are also used for the purpose of achieving the virtual reality. This includes the headsets, Omni-directional trade mills, and special gloves. Psychology of the users is also taken into account when the visual reality is used. Different forms of software are also used for running the virtual environments. Graphic cards are used for handling the graphics which are used in the virtual environment. The display of images is also important in the virtual environment. Most of the systems utilize HMDs, which are mainly headsets which contains two monitors one for each eye (Meggs, Greer & Collins, 2012). In the virtual environment, the images usually create a stereoscopic effect which gives the illusion of depth. The cathode ray tubes are usually used in some of the HMDs for providing good resolution or quality. Liquid crystal display monitors are also used for enhancing the quality and resolution. Some of the virtual reality systems usually project their images on the walls, floors or ceilings of a room called cave automatic virtual environment. Rear projection technique is also used for displaying the images in a virtual environment. Cave automatic virtual environment displays provide the users a much wider field of view that helps in the immersion. Special glasses can also be used be worn by the users for completing the illusion of moving through the virtual environment. The cave automatic virtual environment allows a group of people to share experiences at the same time. The system, however, requires a lot of space, and it is also expensive. Virtual reality also has a tracking system that is used for the orientation of user’s point of view. The tracking system is used for ensuring that the computer sends the right images for visual display (Blascovich & Bailenson, 2011). The users in most cases are usually tethered with cables which are linked to a processing unit. The VR system requires input devices for ensuring that it can work effectively. The input devices range from controllers which have two or three buttons linked to electronic gloves and voice recognition software. The inputs also play an important role in increasing the sense of the telepresence. In most cases, the virtual environment is usually connected to the internet. However, it has been argued that without an HMD, internet based systems are not true virtual environments. Some of the inputs that are commonly used in the virtual reality system include the joysticks, force balls, tracking balls, controller wands, datagloves, voice recognition, motion trackers, bodysuits, and treadmills. Currently, the possibility of using the biosensors for virtual reality is being explored. The biosensors have the ability to detect and interpret the nerve and muscle activity. The biosensors can also be used to determine the physical movement of the users in the physical space. This can be translated into the corresponding motions in the virtual space. The biosensors can be attached directly to the skin of the users. Different computer languages have also been developed by the programmers and it is usually used in the virtual environment. Some of the languages include the virtual reality modeling language, 3DML, X3D and collaborative design activity (Ong & Nee, 2013). The languages play an important role in creating an interaction with the users. The technology regarding the virtual environment is, however, undergoing changes from time to time. The changes are as a result of the changes that are taking place in the field of technology. The development of new technological gadgets also plays an important role in enhancing the virtual reality concepts. Challenges and possible future issues One of the major challenges facing virtual reality is motion sickness and technical issues. There is a risk of users being disoriented in a purely virtual environment. This may affect the simulation leading to a less than satisfactory user experience. The gadgets being used may be complicated, and it requires the users to undergo a lot of training. The users need some training on how to use the head mounted displays, boots and specialized gloves (Meggs, Greer & Collins, 2012). The gadgets are dangerous to use when there is no external sensory information. The virtual reality sounds usually crumble and in some instances it may end up affecting the users. The changes in technology are also affecting the virtual reality concepts. Different gadgets have to be replaced from time to time as a result of the technological changes. This is making the virtual reality too expensive to develop. However, the technological changes also play an important role in enhancing the capacity of virtual reality. The future of virtual reality is bright, and it is set to influence the human behavior, interpersonal communication, and cognition. Gradual migration to virtual space is set to take place in future as the trend indicates that people are spending more time on virtual space (Blascovich & Bailenson, 2011). Virtual reality is set to be integrated into the daily lives of the people. More sectors are also set to increase their use of virtual reality concepts. Virtual reality is set to be used for carrying out different activities that are currently being carried out manually. Most of the activities will be simplified through the use of virtual reality concepts and hence impacting positively on the human lives. Virtual reality is set to transform the society and hence making it simple for complex activities to be carried out. Sectors such as military and defense is set to benefit more through the use of virtual reality concepts. Conclusion In conclusion, it is evident that virtual reality concepts can be used for carrying out different activities. It has application in military training, education, fine arts, archeology as well as medicine. The technology mainly involves the use of a computer and other inputs. The virtual reality environment enables he simulation of different activities into reality. Different gadgets such as HMD, special glasses, gloves, and boots are required. The interaction of the system ensures that the activities are successful. It is evident that the main challenge with the virtual reality is the technical aspects. Virtual reality is set to find a wide range of applications in future. Bibliography Biocca, F, & Levy, M, R, 2013, Communication in the age of virtual reality, Routledge. Ohta, Y, & Tamura, H, 2014, Mixed reality: Merging real and virtual worlds, Springer Publishing Company, Incorporated. Seth, A, Vance, J, M, & Oliver, J, H, 2011, Virtual reality for assembly methods prototyping: a review, Virtual reality, 15(1), 5-20. Meggs, S, M, Greer, A, & Collins, S, 2012, Virtual reality in interior design education: Enhanced outcomes through constructivist engagement in Second Life, International Journal of Web-Based Learning and Teaching Technologies (IJWLTT), 7(1), 19-35. Blascovich, J, & Bailenson, J, 2011, Infinite reality: Avatars, eternal life, new worlds, and the dawn of the virtual revolution, William Morrow & Co. Ong, S, K, & Nee, A, Y, C, 2013, Virtual and augmented reality applications in manufacturing, Springer Science & Business Media. Read More