A Technical Seminar on

KAMALA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE

SINGAPUR, HUZURABAD

M. Pramod (I.T) K. Sindhuja (I.T)

mpramod1990@gmail.com kodak.sinsi@gmail.com
Mob: 8142297290
 CONTENTS

S.No Topics

1. Abstract

2. Introduction

3. Virtual Reality

4. How Virtual Reality Works?

5. Types of VR

6. Tools of VR

7. Heritage & Archaeology

8. The Social implications of VR

9. Applications

10. Advantages & Disadvantages

11. Features

Conclusion
ABSTRACT:
Virtual reality is an artificial environment
that is created with software and presented to the
user in such a way that the user suspends belief
and accepts it as a real environment.
Virtual Reality pioneers such as Ivan
Sutherland, Michael Noll, and Myron Krueger
all had their parts to play in the creation of
'modern-day' VR. Popular culture and
the science fiction genre both have also had
profound effects on research as to the social
implications of VR.
In this paper we will discuss about
VIRTUAL REALITY, its working, tools of
virtual reality, types of virtual reality, its heritage
& archaeology, social implications of virtual
reality, applications, advantages and
disadvantages.
INTRODUCTION:
The term "artificial reality", coined
by Myron Krueger, has been in use since the
1970s; however, the origin of the term "virtual
reality" can be traced back to the French
playwright, poet, actor, and director Antonin
Artaud. In his seminal book The Theatre and Its
Double (1938), Artaud described theatre as "la
réalite virtuelle", a virtual reality "in which
characters, objects, and images take on the
phantasmagoric force of alchemy's visionary
internal dramas".  now avoid the words virtual reality even while
The idea of Virtual Reality began well
before the advent of the computer, but in dealing
only with the VR in the sense in which we know
it, all its history has occurred over the past 40
years.
Virtual Reality pioneers such as Ivan
Sutherland, Michael Noll, and Myron Krueger
all had their parts to play in the creation of
'modern-day' VR.Popular culture and the science
fiction genre both have also had profound effects
on research as to the social implications of VR.
VIRTUAL REALITY:
Virtual reality is an artificial environment
that is created with software and presented to the
user in such a way that the user suspends belief
and accepts it as a real environment. On a
computer, virtual reality is primarily experienced
through two of the five senses: sight and sound.
The simplest form of virtual reality is a 3-
D image that can be explored interactively at a
personal computer, usually by manipulating keys
or the mouse so that the content of the image
moves in some direction or zooms in or out.
More sophisticated efforts involve such
approaches as wrap-around display screens,
actual rooms augmented with wearable
computers, andhaptics devices that let you feel
the display images.
HOW VIRTUAL REALITY WORKS ?
What do you think of when you hear the
words virtual reality (VR)?
Do you imagine someone wearing a
clunky helmet attached to a computer with a
thick cable? Do visions of crudely rendered
pterodactyls haunt you? Do you think of Neo
and Morpheus traipsing about the Matrix? Or do
you wince at the term, wishing it would just go
away?
If the last applies to you, you're likely a
computer scientist reengineer, many of whom
they work on technologies most of us associate
with VR. Today, you're more likely to hear
someone use the words virtual
environment (VE) to refer to what the public
knows as virtual reality. We'll use the terms
interchangeably in this article.
A virtual reality CAVE display projecting
images onto the floor, walls and ceiling to
provide full immersion.
 Naming discrepancies aside, the concept The computer must be powerful enough
remains the same - using computer technology to to render three-dimensional images in real-time
create a simulated, three-dimensional world that or the experience will not be a complete one.
a user can manipulate and explore while feeling
as if he were in that world. Scientists, theorists
and engineers have designed dozens of devices
and applications to achieve this goal. Opinions
differ on what exactly constitutes a true VR
experience, but in general it should include:
 Three-dimensional images that appear
to be life-sized from the perspective of
the user
 The ability to track a user's motions, By using various sensors and input devices
particularly his head users can use their own movement to interact
and eye movements, and with the virtual environment. Each time the
correspondingly adjust the images on sensor detects a change, the entire computer
the user's display to reflect the change system (the reality engine) generates a new set
in perspective of graphics, appropriate to that change. For a
system to be recognizably ‘real’ the computer
In this article, we'll look at the defining
must be able to ‘sample’ the sensors about
characteristics of VR, some of the technology sixty times per second. This gives real-time
used in VR systems, a few of its applications, changes (apparently instantaneous, but really
some concerns about virtual reality and a brief with the shortest time lag possible).
history of the discipline. In the next section,
we'll look at how experts define virtual
Computers this fast do not exist at the present
environments, starting with immersion.
time, but with the power of computers doubling
every 18 months, it may be possible in the near
future.
To run the most basic VR system one
must have the following:

• one or more powerful computers TYPES:

• sensors (or input devices)
• display arrangements  Immersive
• virtual environment rendering software
 Non - immersive
 Augmented
 Text-based
 Desktop (Window on a World)
 Video Mapping

IMMERSIVE TYPES:

The ultimate version of VR systems they

let the user totally immerse in computer
generated world with the help of HMD that
supports a stereoscopic view of the scene
accordingly to the user’s position and
orientation. These systems may be enhanced by
audio, haptic and sensory interfaces.
It was the first device providing
its wearer with an immersive experience.
Evans and Sutherland demonstrated a
head-mounted stereo display already in
1965.

Example: Desktop VR:Fish Tank VR:

NON – IMMERSIVE TYPES:

Text-based VR: When a reader of a
certain text form a mental model of this virtual
world in their head from the description of
people, places and things. 2. BOOM:

Augmented VR: The idea of taking what is real BOOM is a head coupled stereoscopic
and adding to it in some way so that user obtains display device. Screens and optical system are
more information from their environment. housed in a box that is attached to a multi-link
arm.
Desktop VR (Window on a World):
Desktop VR is when a computer user
views a virtual environment through one or more
computer screens. A user can then interact with
that environment, but is not immersed in it. All
of the mastheads on this website are from
Desktop VR environments. 3. CAVE:

Video Mapping VR: It is a room with projections on all walls,

Video Mapping VR uses cameras to
project an image of the user into the computer
program, thus creating a 2D computer character.
Although fully immersed in the environment, it
is difficult to interact with the user’s
surroundings.
floor and ceiling. The users wear shutter glasses
to get a 3D view of the world. The users are able
to move and control the environment with some
kind of input mechanism
 Camera
 Device in hand

TOOLS:
1. Head Mounted Displays (HMD):
4.3D VIDEO Eyewear:
Winner of a 2005 & 2006 Consumer
Electronics Show Design Award.
5. Input devise, Output Devise:
6. Hardware:
7. Software:
Heritage and archaeology:
Motion pictures:
Steven Lisberger's 1982 movie TRON
was the first mainstream Hollywood picture to
explore the idea of virtual reality. One year later,
it would be fully expanded in the Natalie Wood
film Brainstorm. A VR-like system used to
record and play back dreams figures centrally in
Wim Wenders' 1991 film Until the End of the
World. The 1992 film The Lawnmower Man
(which bore almost no resemblance to the
Stephen King story of the same name on which
it was ostensibly based) tells the story of a
research scientist who uses a VR system to
jumpstart the mental and physical development
of his mentally handicapped gardener. James
Cameron's Avatar depicts a time when people's
consciousness are virtually transported into
biologically grown avatars. Outside the genre of
science fiction, 1994's Disclosure, starring
Michael Douglas, based on the Michael Crichton
book of the same name, depicts a VR headset
being used as a navigation device for a prototype
computer file system.
Games:
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(July 2010)
Classic Virtual reality HMD with glove
In 1991, Virtuality (originally W
Industries) licensed the Amiga 3000 for use in
their VR machines, and released a VR gaming
system called the 1000CS. This was a stand-up
immersive HMD platform with a tracked 3D
joystick. The system featured several VR games
including Dactyl Nightmare, Legend Quest,
Hero, and Grid Busters. The Aura Interactor
Virtual Reality Game Wear is a chest and back
harness through which the player can feel
punches, explosions, kicks, uppercuts, slam-
dunks, crashes, and body blows. It works with
the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo
Entertainment System.
In the Mage: The Ascension role-playing
game, the mage tradition of the Virtual Adepts is
presented as the creators of VR. The Adepts'
ultimate objective is to move into virtual reality,
scrapping their physical bodies in favor of
improved virtual ones. Also, the .hack series
centers on a virtual reality video game. This
shows the potentially dangerous side of virtual
reality, demonstrating the adverse effects on
human health and possible viruses, including a
comatose state which some players assume.
Metal Gear Solid bases heavily on VR usage,
either as a part of the plot (notably Metal Gear
Solid 2), or simply to guide the players through
training sessions.
Radio:
In 2009, British digital radio station BBC
Radio 7 broadcasted Planet B, a science-fiction
drama set in a virtual world. Planet B is the
largest ever commission for an original drama
programme.
Fine art:
David Em was the first fine artist to
create navigable virtual worlds in the 1970s. His
early work was done on mainframes at III, JPL,
and Caltech. Jeffrey Shaw explored the potential
of VR in fine arts with early works like Legible
City (1989), Virtual Museum (1991), and
Golden Calf (1994). Canadian artist Char Davies
created immersive VR art pieces Osmose (1995)
and Ephémère (1998). Maurice Benayoun's work
introduced metaphorical, philosophical or
political content, combining VR, network,
generation and intelligent agents, in works like
Is God Flat (1994), The Tunnel under the
Atlantic (1995), and World Skin (1997). Other
pioneering artists working in VR have include
Luc Courchesne, Rita Addison, Knowbotic
Research, Rebecca Allen, Perry Hoberman,
Jacki Morie, and Brenda Laurel. All mentioned
artists are documented in the Database of Virtual
Art.
Therapeutic uses:
The primary use of VR in a therapeutic
role is its application to various forms of
exposure therapy, ranging from phobia
treatments to newer approaches to treating
PTSD. A very basic VR simulation with simple
sight and sound models has been shown to be
invaluable in phobia treatment, like zoophobia,
and acrophobia, as a step between basic
exposure therapy such as the use of simulacra
and true exposure. A much more recent
application is being piloted by the U.S. Navy to
use a much more complex simulation to immerse
veterans suffering from PTSD in simulations of
urban combat settings. Much as in phobia
treatment, exposure to the subject of the trauma
or fear leads to desensitization, and a significant
reduction in symptoms.
Other research fields in which the use of
virtual reality is being explored are physical
medicine, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and
occupational therapy. In adult rehabilitation, a
variety of virtual reality applications are
currently being evaluated within upper and
lower limb motor rehabilitation for individuals
recovering from stroke or spinal cord injury. In
pediatrics, the use of virtual reality is being
evaluated to promote movement abilities,
navigational abilities, or social skills in children
with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, or
other disabilities. Research evidence is emerging
rapidly in the field of virtual reality for
therapeutic uses. A number of recent reviews
published in peer-reviewed journals have
summarized the current evidence for the use of
Virtual Reality within pediatric and adult
rehabilitation. One such review concluded that
the field is potentially promising.
THE SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF
VIRTUAL REALITY?
Whether virtual reality will have positive
or negative implications on the social structure is
debatable, but one thing is certain – VR will play
an increasingly important role in public and
private life as we move towards the future.
The idea of virtual reality faces
humankind with a completely new phenomenon,
what are the practical consequences of
inhabiting a different reality?  (Sherman and
Judkins 1992)
 enjoyable (Biocca and interactions. (Biocca
Levy 1995) and Levy 1995)

• a tremendous • could lead to low

opportunity for every self-esteem, feelings
'connected' person to of worthlessness and
find his or her field insignificance, even
and/or self-destructive
discipline(Biocca and acts (Cartwright 1994)
The chart below briefly outlines some of Levy 1995)
the major arguments for and against societies
inevitable submission to a virtual reality culture. • after using a medium
that provides total
freedom of expression
face-to-face
communication may
be found to be too
confining (Cartwright
Pros Cons 1994)
• VR is imaginably • an inescapable aspect
more personal than of social life is the Will we be cut off from reality living in a
electronic mail or formation and computer-generated fantasy?
instant messaging, or maintenance of Or will we be more involved with others having
even a letter or a interpersonal adopted a new method of social interaction?
telephone call relationships (Biocca
and Levy 1995) Does the future contains a VR world driven by
• VR is a great social commercialism and produces an offspring of
leveler, it may find a • interaction ought not techno-addicts and sociopaths? 
common ground be substituted for Or can we imagine a future driven by
across differences in community (Mayer researchers and educators, those who desire the
age, culture, and 1999) greatest common good over the almighty dollar?
linguistic
orientation (Biocca • separates the 'haves' Sherman and Judkins have written an
and Levy 1995) from the 'have-nots', a incredible book in regards to the projected
technology of future ramifications of a VR society, and you
• people will be drawn Information Age can purchase it by following this
together by similar Industrialized nations link: Glimpses of Heaven, Visions of Hell:
interests instead of Virtual Reality and its Implications.
purely by geographic • VR will provide a
location (Biocca and communication As the debate over the effects on society of
Levy 1995) environment in which VR, perhaps it is important to look back to VR
the dangers of visionary Ivan Sutherland and his statement
• communication will deception and the from 1965. “Why not create computers that
be both challenging benefits of creativity were designed to accommodate themselves to
and rewarding, more are amplified beyond the way humans worked?”
effective and the levels that humans
productive, and thus currently experience in
There seems to be little doubt among thinkers of
more their interpersonal
the social impact of VR, as much as television
has, and the Internet is, regarding playing its
own part in the power games of our time. But
like everything, humankind will adapt by
necessity. From health to education, torture to
war, and art to government; virtual reality will
increasingly make its presence felt and change
the way we perceive things. ‘As time goes on, so
the technology will progress, and move further
away from its original aims, rather like
gunpowder. Virtual reality started in the abstract,
and then moved on to war; perhaps ultimately it
will bring peace.’ (Sherman and Judkins 1992)
In the future we will only be limited by our
imagination regarding the uses of virtual reality.
Thus it is neither good nor bad, but rather what
we make of it.
“It could be a lifesaving godsend, a
groundbreaking educational tool, a means of
becoming out best selves. Or, it could be a
mindless, energy-sapping diversion, an off-ramp
to electronic isolation, a playground for
immortality. Chances are, it will be all of these
things.” (Kershner 1995)
APPLICATIONS:
It is a new paradigm of user interface it
offers great benefits in many application areas. It
provides an easy, powerful, intuitive way of
human-computer interaction. The user can watch
and manipulate the simulated environment in the
same way we act in the real world, without any
need to learn how the complicated (and often
clumsy) user interface works.
ARCHITECTURAL:
Desktop computers equipped with
visualization packages and simple interface
devices are far from being an optimal solution
for data presentation and manipulation. Virtual
reality promises a more intuitive way of
interaction. The first attempts to apply VR as a
visualization tool were architectural walkthrough
systems.
WEATHER SIMULATION:
TriVis accepts data from meteorological
services such as satellite data, statistically
corrected forecast data , precipitation data and
fronts information. Using TriVis to visualize
artificial clouds, meteorologists can predict
weather with increased accuracy . The data
gathered and analyzed by the TriVis system is
used by television weather reporters to show
their audiences storm system.
 ENTERTAINMENT:

Constantly decreasing prices and

constantly growing power of hardware has
finally brought VR to the masses – it has found
application in the entertainment. In last year’s
W-Industry has successfully brought to the
market networked multi-player game systems
MEDICINE:

Using virtual reality technology to create

3-D ultrasound images to help doctors diagnose
and treat congenital heart defects in children.

TRAINING:

National Aeronautics and Space

Administration (NASA) use VR technology to
construct a model of the HST. In September,
1993, approximately 100 members of the NASA
HST flight team received over 200 hours of
CHEMISTRY:
training using the VR.
Real Mol is a program that uses virtual
United States: The military used it as flight
reality to show molecular models in an
simulators to train pilots.
interactive , immersive environment. Using
RealMol scientists can move molecule or protein
chains to create new molecules. This is useful in
fields such as drug design.

RealMol displays molecules in three

ways:

Ball and stick model,

ADVANTAGES:
Stick model
 Interaction with the environment.
CPK model .  User interface.
 user can see and even feel the shaped
surface under his/her fingertips.
 Flight simulators and games.
 CAD/CAE
 Biomedical Engineering the projects
mentioned are use of virtual reality for
viewing of
X-RAY's and MRI‘s.
 Rendering and 3-D lighting, modelin for
resource management.
 http://www.reflex.lth.se
http://www.bmw.com.tw
http://www.panovision.at
DISADVANTAGES: http://www.xboxfront.de
http://www.wikipedia.com
 VR in medical treatment is going through
some growing
pains.
 There are limitations with VR devices as CONCLUSION:
well in regards
to usability. VR is in its early stages, but is used
 lack of standardization of hardware and commercially, globally. There are 61,400
protocols international commercial companies producing
 Most troublesome are the side effects it VR. While VR is at an early stage, it is used
can induce, like educationally throughout the world. There are
disorientation, dizziness and nausea. approximately 3,600 educational institutions
 People often find navigating in 3-D which use VR.
spaces and performing actions in free
space extremely difficult.
 practical problems in spatial cognition
research
 New technologies have also revealed
new problems.

FEATURES:
 Research directions in VR
 Ergonomics of visual
displays
 Tracking technologies
 Computing power and
rendering architectures
 User interfaces
 Seamless" virtual
environments
 7Biomedical research
 Social aspects
 Expectations
 Education
 Information retrieval,
processing and searching
 Augmented reality, New
senses # Passive
entertainment, Active
entertainment

References:

http://www.ourvirtualreality.com