VIRTUAL REALITY

Virtual Reality is about creating reproductions of real objects or environments for training, entertainment or design purposes. It gives an environment that not real but one can feel it as a real environment.
Virtual Reality uses computers to create 3D environments in which we can navigate and interact

INTERACTION & NAVIGATION

Interaction means the ability to select and manipulate objects in the scene, for example taking a flower from the forest. Navigation implies the ability to move around and explore the features of a 3D scene, such as walking through a forest.

Virtual Reality System

A VR system is a computer based system that involves different aspects of addressing each of the human senses: like computer graphics (sight/view), 3D sound synthesis (hearing), and haptics (touch).

Classification of VR systems
Fully immersive These are systems which uses head mounted display. The objective of the head mounted display is give the user a complete feel of the real environment.

Semi-immersive These are the systems which uses large projection screens. An example of Semi-immersive system is CAVE designed by CruzNeira et al. CAVE designed by Cruz-Neira et al. in 1992 [2], provide 3D sound and high-resolution graphics. A CAVE is a multi-user workplace surrounded by screens where the virtual

world is projected.

Non-immersive These are desktop-based VR systems; the most common examples are video games. The good combination of interactivity, ease of use, and appealing graphics and sound can produce in the users a great level of interest and involvement in the simulation. These are most popular virtual reality systems.

Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality:
Augmented reality (AR) is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. E.g. Enhanced Image, enhanced video

etc. Augmented Virtuality

Augmented virtuality is the diametric opposite of augmented reality. It is essentially the overlaying of physical objects within a virtual reality environment. Examples include videoconferencing, physical bodies captured by webcams, and others of that ilk.

History of VR systems

The first virtual reality system was designed by a cinematographer Morton Heilig in 1962. It was a multisensor vehicle simulator. Name of that system was Sensorama, The system allowed users to sit in front of a screen where they could choose from different rides prerecorded using motorcycles, bicycles, and even a helicopter. Sensorama used wide field of view optics to view 3D photographic slides and had stereo sound, as well as smell and wind generators. IT was a passive system. The user can just feel the environment but can not react with the system. In 1968 Ivan Sutherland built a head-mounted display that presented to the user left and right views of a computer-generated 3D scene. The system tracked the users head movement to update the images and giving the feel of a virtual world. Images were simple line drawings but it produced the impression of looking at solid 3D objects.

In 1978 A. Lippman, Scott Fisher, and other researchers developed the system Aspen Movie Map. The application allowed users to view a simulated ride through the city of Aspen, Colorado. The system used photographs of all the streets of the city, taken with four cameras pointing in different directions mounted on a truck. The user could move in four directions within the simulation; these were the beginnings of interactive virtual environments. In the mid-1980s Scott Fisher, Stephen Ellis, Michael McGreevy, and Warren Robinett built a pilot training system named Virtual Interface Environment Workstation (VIEW).The VIEW system consisted of a wide-angle display unit, speech-recognition technology, gesturetracking devices, 3D audio, speech synthesis, computer graphics, and video image generation equipment.

In 1992 Cave-2 was built. It was a four walled room. Images were projected from the walls. The users need to wear a light weight stereo glass and can feel himself as a part of the virtual environment. It was a multi-user system

Uses of Virtual Reality

Architecture For many years, virtual reality has been used to establish models of architectural projects and buildings before construction begins. It can also be used to reconstruct buildings or objects that have collapsed or otherwise been damaged to determine how it happened and the steps needed to prevent the situation in the future. Meteorology Forecasters can utilize various virtual reality programs to process information collected from satellites and radar dishes, and create models that simulate the predicted effects of weather. This technology can also analyze previous weather patterns with similar conditions to better determine the future outcomes of atmospheric events.

Military The U.S. military has implemented virtual reality programs as part of its training process. As part of advanced exercises as well as a way to help soldiers recover from traumatic experiences, whole rooms that feature simulations of real situations aid in teaching soldiers about the environment in which they will be or have been deployed. Medical The medical field uses virtual reality in many ways. The most common implementation of the technology is to combine images provided by other scans and merge them to present the details, using medical imaging technology. This helps doctors diagnose problems without performing surgery.

Molecular Studies In order to study molecular and cellular structure in a more efficient and productive manner, virtual reality uses a method of computerized modeling. Scientists can access small sections of a given molecule and study specifics related to it.