FED UP WITH THIS LIFE...HOW ABOUT A SECOND COMING IN A VIRTUAL WORLD?

What is virtual reality?

In simplest terms, L. Casey Larijani’s defines virtual reality as “a cartoon world you can get into (Larijani L.C., “The Virtual Reality Primer,” 1994).” Virtual reality provides much more than just an interactive cartoon world though. It’s an immersive, three-dimensional technology enabling the user to interface with, engage in, and manipulate elements of the virtual world, as well as its bots and avatars.

Development of VR

In the earliest days of its development and dissemination, virtual reality required one to use a number of machine-to-human interface tools, such as goggles, gloves, and joysticks, but as the technology developed complication replaced simplicity so now all that’s required for a virtual experience are the old standbys of mouse and keyboard.

Film researcher Morton Heilig originally developed the forerunner technology of what we now known as virtual reality, although VR’s invention is generally attributed to scientist Ivan Sutherland (Rheingold H., “Virtual Reality,” 1991). In 1962, Heilig patented a device called Sensorama Simulator, which allowed the user to experience the sights, sounds, smells and feelings of an experience, such as a motorcycle ride through 1950s Brooklyn, NY, in 3-D. Three years later, Sutherland presented his groundbreaking work, “The Ultimate Display,” and followed it by developing interface projects.

Initially, VR development followed Sutherland’s science track. At the University of North Carolina, Argonne remote manipulators (ARMs) were paired with 3-D computer generated representations of molecules to produce a molecular docking tool for chemists (Ibid). Scientists at the United Kingdom Meteorological Service developed visual computer models of severe thunderstorms allowing them to better explore storm dynamics and the differences caused by slight changes in even one variable (Larijani L.C).

VR applications have diversified beyond science into entertainment, business, and communications. Today, one may find VR at their fingertips rather than tucked away in a far flung laboratory.

Common uses of VR

Aside from its continued scientific applications, the entertainment industry makes great use of VR technology. Anyone who has ever played a Nintendo, Xbox, or Wii has experienced the basics of VR. The advanced graphics of reality-simulating games such as the “Grand Theft Auto” series and its game controllers benefited greatly from virtual reality research.

Another popular use is the alternative reality world, or ARW, also known as a virtual world. Accessible via any computer capable of an Internet connection, ARWs may exist round the clock or temporarily. For instance, the ARW known as “Moove” continually exists. It is a free to join alternate world which enables users to build a home, decorate it, shop in stores with its currency, attend night clubs, and other events. The “Moove” ARW even has an offline option. Users can’t communicate with one another in offline mode or attend events, but can still interact with all elements of their virtual home, including bots. Others play within the online virtual world of games like “World of Warcraft,” assuming alternate personas and battling mythical creatures while connected via visuals, voice, mouse and keyboard.

Some may have attended the business offshoot of the ARW, the virtual meeting or conference. Although short meetings are still more common, the number of virtual conferences continues to grow. This temporary ARW may exist only for the duration of the actual meeting, or it may remain accessible for an extended period of time, allowing the user to playback the initial experience, such as the recent FDIC-sponsored conference for fire fighters, which remains available for three months following the event.

Emerging uses of VR

The latest developments in meeting software, such as Quaq Office, allows users to collaborate by simultaneously viewing and editing multiple applications in a live virtual office. Second Life, an ARW, enables businesses to create a cyber office, complete with conference rooms capable of hosting PowerPoint projections.

At Idaho State University, the Institute of Rural Health partnered with the Idaho Bio-terrorism Awareness and Preparedness Program to create the Play2Train environment. It allows first responders to participate in emergency preparedness training exercises without the risks of live trainings (Greenfield D., “Doing Business in the Virtual World,” eWeek, March 10, 2008).

Mirror worlds represent another emerging area. Two commonly known applications harnessing this technology are Google Earth and Microsoft Virtual Earth. Both merge cartography, remote sensing data, and video images to provide an integrated picture of the real world. If Google has already visited the fair city in which one resides, as they have Norman, OK, it’s possible to visit one’s neighborhood with a mouse click. Stand in the middle of the street and turn around to look at all of your neighbor’s houses, perhaps with their cars parked in the driveways. See who hadn’t mowed the grass when Google shot the video. It makes long distance house hunting easier. It also provides a simple way of getting the lay of the land before visiting a city. One can memorize the landmarks on the way from the hotel to the nearest Starbucks, or virtually visit a far flung city without leaving home.

Conclusion

Whether one wants new opportunities for entertainment, business, or travel, virtual reality can provide it. The possibilities are endless. The numbers and capabilities of VR applications grow daily. In future articles, we’ll explore a few of the exciting specifics of this brave new world together. Get ready to step into cyberspace.

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This post guest-blogged by Carlie Lawson..