Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
Virtual Reality..........."is a way for humans to visualize, manipulate and interact with computers and extremely complex data"
An artificial environment created with computer hardware and software and presented to the user in such a way that it appears and feels like a real environment. To "enter" a virtual reality, a user dons special gloves, earphones, and goggles, all of which receive their input from the computer system. In this way, at least three of the five senses are controlled by the computer. In addition to feeding sensory input to the user, the devices also monitor the user's actions. The goggles, for example, track how the eyes move and respond accordingly by sending new video input.
To date, virtual reality systems require extremely expensive hardware and software and are confined mostly to research laboratories.
The term virtual reality is sometimes used more generally to refer to any virtual world represented in a computer, even if it's just a text-based or graphical representation (www.webopedia.com).
Useful and Fun Links:
Virtual Reality Overview (Web Virtual Reality and 3D - in VRML or XML?)
blaxxun interactive (example company specializing in VR)
Superscape-Interactive 3D Software
Augmented Reality:
Augmented reality refers to the combination the real and the virtual to assist the user in his environment. Applications include telemedicine, architecture, construction, devices for the disabled, and many others. Several large augmented reality systems already exist (for example, the Interactive Video Environment system), but a wearable computer with a small camera and digitizer opens a whole new set of applications.
Useful and Fun Links:
On the Net Resources - Augmented Reality
Computer Graphics and Scientific Visualization
Research-University of Rochester
Augmented Reality & Computer Augmented Environments
*Using Augmented Reality in the Navy
IEEE and ACM International Symposium
STAR (study from USC)--related links at bottom of article
Other Great Informative Links!
Link to MSU Virtual Reality Research Center
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