Virtual Reality Essay -- Essays Papers

Virtual Reality Although some doubt the potential of virtual reality, the reality is our technologically dependent culture is making virtual reality a part of everyday life. Popular in video games, virtual reality allows the user to totally control a computerized character. Every action the user makes is imitated by the character and instantly displayed for the user. However, since the early 90’s, the use of virtual reality has developed and taken the spotlight past evolving video games. Virtual reality has already made its mark on fields such as aviation, medicine, and even meteorology. Where is this new technology heading in the future? According to the Millennium edition of the Wall Street Journal, â€Å"even conservative forecasts suggest education, entertainment, the workplace and the boundaries of human expression will be greatly transformed by virtual reality† (Cox 40). Increasingly advanced technology could put virtual reality in the driver’s seat of countless ind ustries. In recent years virtual reality has already been involved in several technological areas. Even those who have little knowledge about the production of virtual reality are most likely aware of its use in video games. However, many people may not be aware of the numerous other areas where it has been applied. For example, astronaut trainees have recently used virtual reality to simulate a trip to space. Medical students have substituted a carcass for a fiberglass mould of a body and a headset when training to perform surgery. A popular online chat is developing into a society of interactive, animated users. Introducing virtual reality to the real world has already proven to be beneficial for every industry it encounters. Welcome to the new world of virtual technology, the advantages have only begun. Virtual reality (VR), as defined by The Newbury House Dictionary of American English, is experiencing events that seem like real life by putting on special eye glasses, hearing devices ad gloves attached to a computer. With the help of these hardware devices, the VR user’s actions totally control of the computer’s resulting actions. This control sets virtual reality apart from previously developed technologies. Because of the amazingly fast processing speed of the computer, VR accepts the user’s every move and displays the differences in the virtual environment. .. ...on of any course in the world. After the ball hits the screen, it continues its path in the game. This game is extremely realistic, because the game reads the balls trajectory, power, direction and even spin when it is hit. I once played 18 holes at Augusta, one of the most premier courses in the world, and I didn’t even leave Ohio. These examples are just some of the possibilities virtual reality will bring to our future. Introducing virtual reality into the future will prove to be a benefit for our society. Several important issues involving virtual reality have previously been discussed. Surgery and surgical training are extremely crucial processes in which virtual reality has shown to be beneficial. Astronaut training is another critical procedure. Jim Newman, highly experienced in space, stated himself that without virtual reality it was â€Å"impossible† to train for certain events (Cox 40). Precise forecasts of the weather are not always easy. However, virtual reality has already been incorporated in the study of severe weather, giving forecasters more knowledge and the society more protection. The future is virtual reality, and its benefits will remain immeasurable.