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Virtual Reality is an Alternate World

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Virtual Reality is an Alternate World

Computers are a very important part of everyday life. They are used in homes, workplaces, schools, and many other institutions. Today computers aid in research, calculation, organization, and provide numerous additional applications. Computers can literally even take us to other worlds and different realms of reality by a concept referred to as virtual reality. Virtual reality, or simply VR, is a system that allows one or various users to engage in a computer created world that is sensitive to the user’s sight, hearing, and touch. It can also be referred to as an interaction between one or more users and the computer accompanied by the use of special VR interface devices. Users are allowed to move …show more content…

The helmet is equipped with a tracking device that sits on top of it. This device signals the user’s head movements to an additional stationary-tracking device. As the user moves his or her head, the computer continually updates the simulation to reflect the new location and perspective. Head mounted displays are often favored because they totally immerse the user in the simulation, but they weigh several pounds and are usually expensive.

The BOOM is another kind of VR environment. BOOM stands for binocular omni orientation monitor. It is similar to the head mounted display, but requires no helmet. Instead, there is a viewing box suspended from a rotating arm. The user places his or her forehead against the BOOM’s viewing eyeglasses to see the screen. The user can change the viewing perspective by grabbing the handlebars on the side of the viewing box, and rotating it to the desired position. The user can move in a full circle and can also bend down to view objects. Control buttons on the handlebars usually serve as an interface, or other interface devices can be used in conjunction with BOOM including earphones and data gloves.

Finally, the Cave is the latest form of the virtual environment and is also the most immersive. The user steps into a 10 by 10 by 9 foot darkened cubicle and puts on a special pair of glasses called Crystal Eyes shuttering glasses. During simulation, stereoscopic images are projected on the walls and floor of the

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