VIRTUAL REALITY
The promise of virtual reality has always been enormous. Put
on these goggles, go nowhere, and be transported anywhere. Imagine yourself,
just lounging on your sofa, having an absurdly boring day. But in the very near
future, you might just be surfing through the streets of Venice or even King’s
Landing, whilst sitting on the aforementioned couch and popping those extremely
normal looking goggles on your eyes. It’s the same mentality that’s peddled by
drugs, alcohol, sex, and art — throw off the shackles of the mundane through a
metaphysical transportation to an altered state. Born of technology, virtual
reality at its core is an organic experience. Its man meets machine, but what
happens is strictly within the mind.
Sounds simple? It is.
The definition of Virtual Reality is simple. It’s a computer
generated, 3 Dimensional environment which can be explored and interacted with
by a person. Although Virtual Reality is an old dream, it has been hustled onto
the main stage only recently, with Facebook’s reported acquisition of the
Oculus Rift for a mind boggling $2 billion. Oculus Rift is a head mounted virtual
reality display, which is capable of reproducing accurate and detailed terrain
as well as a very high definition gaming experience to the user. There’s also
been an ‘exhibit’ which has let couples swap bodies using Oculus Rift.
Along with Oculus Rift, Microsoft’s HoloLens created quite a
buzz at the turn of 2015. HoloLens promises to bring Skype, TV and games within
the realms of Virtual Reality where you can add a layer of computer-generated
information to your vision.Microsoft HoloLens is a smart glasses unit that is a
cordless, self-contained Windows 10 computer. It uses advanced sensors, a
high-definition 3D optical head-mounted display, and spatial sound to allow for
augmented reality applications.
HoloLens and Oculus Rift cater to the need of a wide range
of audience and can have a great horizon of application in our day to day life.
VR in Engineering.
Virtual reality engineering includes the use of 3D modelling
tools and visualization techniques as part of the design process. This
technology enables engineers to view their project in 3D and gain a greater
understanding of how it works. Plus they can spot any flaws or potential risks
before implementation.
This also allows the design team to observe their project
within a safe environment and make changes as and where necessary. This saves
both time and money.
It is used for planning, prototyping and construction
purposes, and helps with project realisation
Also, with initial testing and experimentation seemingly
already done, the overall quality of the product is enhanced in the initial
stages itself.
VR in Medicine
Virtual reality is used in both the medical and dentistry
fields where it has several advantages over conventional systems. Virtual Reality
is used in the field of robotic surgery where it has proven to be very
successful. It also has a major application for the treatment of people
suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. A headpiece not unlike the
Oculus Rift is mounted on the head of a man suffering from PTSD and the
clipping of the source of his stress is displayed. The rationale behind this is
that exposing someone to the source of their condition combined with relaxation
skills will enable them cope and adapt.
Surgery Simulation is a type of Virtual Reality which is
used to train surgeons in a range of surgical procedures, e.g. knee arthroscopy
but without any risks. The major advantages of this system are that the surgeon
can be taught new and potentially dangerous techniques in an environment where
they are able to make mistakes and learn from these.
VR in Sports
Virtual reality is used as a training aid in many sports
such as golf, athletics, skiing, cycling etc. It is used as an aid to measuring
athletic performance as well as analyzing technique and is designed to help
with both of these. The athlete uses this technology to fine tune certain
aspects of their performance. Three dimensional systems can pinpoint aspects of
an athlete’s performance which require changing, for example, their
biomechanics or technique.
Also, Virtual reality can be used to improve the audience’s
experience of a sporting event. Some systems allow the audience to walkthrough
a stadium or other sporting location, which helps them when purchasing a ticket
to an event.
Virtual Reality has a lot of promise, great potential and an
incredible market to cater to. VR at its best shouldn’t replace real life, just
modify it, giving us access to so much just out of reach physically,
economically. If you can dream it, VR can make it. It’s a medium for progress,
not the progress itself.
Source: www.vrs.org.uk ,www.theverge.com/a/virtual-reality
, www.wikipedia.com
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