virtual reality has been made possible through sophisticated computers and complex programs that were designed to detect and interact with the persons actual body movements and actions in real time. The person can manipulate the virtual, or computer generated, environment with specially designed tools such as gloves, a helmet, and a variety of other such devices (Virtual Reality: History).
These tools that are needed for advanced virtual reality simulations are usually owned by institutions such as NASA, universities, or government training facilities. Using tools such as the clothing type is usually restricted to the more expensive or educational experience of the technology. In fact, most people that use virtual reality may or may not know that they are because it is so common and due to the fact that using VR is not restricted to wearing the specialized gear. Virtual reality didnt always have such a commercial appeal even though it is most widely used today as a consumer product-enhancing agent when it first surfaced. In fact, VR wasnt even a concept to the general public when the idea first arose to use a graphical representation of computer data.
This was the first step in creating the idea of virtual reality because the computers of the time (late 1950s) were only glorified adding machines (Virtual Reality: History) that printed out on the old dot matrix type of printer. Also, these computers dominated the huge air-conditioned rooms that contained them and were not owned by the everyday Joe. The biggest employer of virtual reality training in the United States is the United States Government (Arthur, E., Hancock).
The Term Paper on Virtual Reality 2
... currently for plain computers, and it is possible that VR could become a very useful teaching tool. Oh)0*0*0*°°O?â"žÂ¢ Virtual Reality - What it is ... limitations because of the fact that it is only a virtual world. As well, at this time, the computer-user interfaces are not ... would be possible, and would enhance reality, but there is a certain problem with the fact that there is only a limited ...
The government uses this technology to train its military and space exploring staff. VR is used to simulate the dangerous conditions for the under-experienced trainees. It is used to simulate everything from air to land to sea combat and navigation situations. The most prominent being the combat environment. In the air simulations, trainees are subjected to dog-fighting style combat as well as just the basic flying techniques (Arthur, E., Hancock).
On the ground, training is usually constituted of using different kinds of weapons and the use of tanks in training much like that of the training of airplane pilots. The sea is very much the same in that navigation of submarines or patrol boats may turn into a combat situation where the trainee must respond accordingly (Arthur, E., Hancock).
Another government sponsored flight simulator is the NASA space program. It is true that all NASA pilots already know how to fly aircraft but it is a very different situation and environment in space (Arthur, E., Hancock).
An example of a space simulator was shown on one of Hollywoods movies: Apollo, where scientists were testing various options to conserve power and seeing how the ship would react. Pilots are also subjected to the relatively same kind of procedures as are the pilots in the military with the obvious exception of there is no combat simulation for space explorers. Virtual reality training is not restricted to simulators of complex and multi-million dollar machinery.
VR training has also been adopted in the medical field as well. Doctors and surgeons are using this technology to learn different procedures of treating patients (Arthur, E., Hancock).
This kind of training as well as other VR simulation training is very expensive and may not always be available to everyone in that particular field. Those who are trained with this technology do really have better success rates overall (Shawn Regian).
The Essay on Training and Information Technology Education
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Submitted to the College of Information Technology Education In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements For the course Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Date THE TRAINEE PICTURE (2 x 2 Scan picture) NAME : COURSE : DATE OF BIRTH : ADDRES : CONTACT NUMBER : E-MAIL ADDRESS : APPROVAL SHEET This narrative report attached hereto presented and ...
VR can be used for much more than just training. For example, it was previously stated that NASA used VR for its purpose of training pilots. NASA also uses it to better map out sections of space the scientists are studying (Shawn Regian).
By mapping out in the virtual sense the features and properties of that portion of space on a computer, scientists can effectively and more efficiently study a portion of space. The military also uses VR in the sense of mapping out landscapes for the briefing on its personnel (Shawn Regian).
This information may be stored in a computer for the purpose of targeting a missile or showing a pilot or soldier exactly where and what his/her objectives are. Medical students can see a portion of the human or animal (for veterinarians) anatomy so they will have a better understanding of how the different mechanisms work or what different structures look like or even for some standard medical procedures(Shawn Regian).
Also in the medical field are virtual reality therapy uses. People are now getting treated for various phobias such as the fear of: spiders, public speaking, flying, etc. (John M.
Moran).
in most cases, the people who are effectively treated do not develop these intense fears again. It is true that they will never be truly cured of their fear but the fear will be minimal. These procedures work by visually showing the patient an environment with the feared object or specific thing present. Throughout the therapy process the subject will be shown more intense environments as they improve their state. This kind of therapy is relatively short in duration compared to other kinds of treatments (John M. Moran).
Another use of virtual reality technology is in the use of the equipment for disabled persons. As stated earlier in the paper, disabled people can now function more normally in todays society. Expanding the limits to these people abilities is a great step forward to the betterment of life for all people (Harry J. Murphy).
Few people may realize the importance of such achievements but it is extremely important that these people be given the same chances and opportunities to live a more normal life. In fact, all of society should benefit from technology and this is an example of how it does affect even the more unfortunate members. This technology makes it easier for such people to work and receive better jobs and to function with their coworkers (Harry J.
The Essay on Integration Technology Training Organization
Executive Summary This paper takes a look at the problem that organizations are having with the way in which new technologies are introduced into their businesses. The problem does not rest with the training packages that accompany the new technology it rest with the poor planning that takes place. The paper also focuses in on the negative consequences that new technology brings to the supervisor ...
Murphy).
Such devices used to accomplish this task include devices that sense movements or even a specialized keyboard that can translate specific actions or spelled words into spoken language for those who have lost or have an impaired power of speech. Other improvements include wheelchairs for paralyzed persons that sense movements of the head and neck to drive the chair around (Harry J. Murphy).
Other improvements come from the entertainment industry where bigger and better video games are being developed. In the past, video games were extremely primitive with games such as pong, space invaders and things of that nature. Graphics were very polygonal and extremely limited to what they could do.
Today, games have evolved into three-dimensional worlds complete with who knows how many variations available to be applied to the game. Video games of today are so much more complex and also more expensive. VR developments are a key factor in the development in the games of tomorrow. People expect to be amazed with the visual appeal of the virtual reality graphics. Most games of today are mostly played on a flat television-like screen and do not require players to immerse themselves in things like a VR helmet or gloves. These games are in some cases as sophisticated as some of the governments training programs despite the lack of extremely complex VR equipment.
Also in the entertainment business is the development of VR in movie making. Recently, animated movies have been released that use a good bit of this technology. Action as well as childrens movies make use of this resource. VR has had a major influence in the public eye as far as the movie industry is concerned. Most people expect elaborate special effects created by computers or extreme animation. Movies such as Star Wars have even been re-released in recent years to improve some of the special effects that can be achieved through this technology. In conclusion virtual reality has changed society from its advent to the present day. Starting out very primitive and slowly evolving into the power house of usefulness as it is today, VR has changed almost every facet of todays life.
The Essay on Virtual Reality in a Real Physical World
The concepts of virtual reality have been around for quite some time. In fact, researchers have studied ideas of the three-dimensional world since the late 1950s. The ideals of virtual reality did not surface into our society until the late 1980s. Today, virtual environments are used in many different capacities. In this paper, research will show the positive impacts of virtual reality when it is ...
From the training of tomorrows professionals to helping the disabled of the human society lead a better life; enhancing general enjoyment to mapping out galaxies, VR has and will be something of great importance as its role expands in the everyday life of the human citizen. Most people encounter VR everyday and it is now the standard in entertainment. As virtual reality continues to grow, so too will human achievements because with the improving technology people will be able to do Virtually Anything.
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