How Is Virtual Reality Used in Technology?

Virtual reality is no longer a thing of science fiction movies.

Virtual reality is the creation of reality through a computer. The concept of virtual reality became popular with the public in the 1990s with movies such as "The Lawnmower Man." Now, it can be used in a variety of ways.

Conference Calls

The University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) is developing a 3-D video teleconferencing technology called Headspin. This will allow a person in the teleconference to appear as a hologram, capable of looking at the other person that is being addressed.

Medical Technology

ICT has formed a virtual reality game-inspired technology that mental health professionals can use to help combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. The technology is not meant to be used on the patient, but will be used on college students majoring in mental health. The virtual reality simulates the war environment in Iraq and also gives the student an avatar patient to work with.

Technology for History

Scientists at the University of York and the University of Warwick have been working on a virtual reality technology that will simulate historical environments. It will affect all of a person's five senses -- sight, smell, touch, taste and hear -- to create the environment. Through this, people can have a better understanding as to how life in ancient civilizations really was.

References

• Los Angeles Times: Cutting-edge virtual reality technology in development in Playa Vista
• University of Southern California: ICT and USC School of Social of Social Work to Demo Virtual Reality Educational Technologies at CES
• ScienceDaily: First Virtual Reality Technology To Let You See, Hear, Smell, Taste And Touch