Virtual Reality

Virtual reality refers to any computer simulation that can mimick real life by displaying sound, 3D images, and other sensory perceptions. Virtual reality systems can often respond to hand and other body movements by the user in order to provide a realistic environment. Virtual reality systems are constantly being upgraded and outfitted with new technologies that improve the quality and control of the virtual reality system. While virtual reality is already available in many forms by a wide range of individuals and organizations, there are still many misconceptions about virtual reality regarding what it can and cannot do. This article will try to clear up some of these misconceptions by listing which information is fact and fiction, describing the likely future of virtual reality, and explaining how virtual reality is advancing today through current endeavors and implementations.

Fact
Right now, a basic verson of virtual reality is available in a wide variety of gaming systems. This works by providing the user with input controls such as gloves that can sense the user's movements or buttons that allow the user to control the game just like any other software. This is only a basic version of virtual reality, however, as true virtual reality systems will take longer to perfect and introduce to the market. Most virtual reality systems are made up of visual displays and sound effects but this may extend to further sensory outputs in the future. While virtual reality is not quite perfect yet, this would be a perfect time for students and other interested individuals to learn about virtual reality systems and participate in virtual reality design programs.

Fiction
While most people understand that virtual reality is still an emerging technology that has not quite reached its peak, some people rely on myths and science fiction to draw conclusions about virtual reality systems. For example, the movie, The Matrix, is about humans in the future who live in a virtual reality simulation in which everything around them seems to be just as real as reality. While virtual reality systems may be capable of this at some point in the future, they are a long way away from producing full-blown hallucinations.

Current Endeavors and Implementations
While some virtual reality systems are used for gaming, others are being implemented by the military and scientific organizations to learn about and prepare for future problems. For example, the military currently uses virtual reality simulations to prepare soldiers for parachuting out of airplanes. Likewise, NASA uses virtual reality to simulate space walks and shuttle launches so that both astronauts and technicians know what to expect ahead of time.

The Future of Virtual Reality
Although virtual reality systems today are not that fantastic, they may advance significantly over the next one or two decades. Virtual reality of the future may be available in many more industries and provide a truly realistic environment that rivals reality. Virtual reality systems could be used for education, medicine, science, mining, marketing, recreation, therapy, and much more. For example, scientists could use virtual reality systems to virtually terraform another planet so that they can see what effects it would cause and what problems they need to face before ever doing anything in reality. Virtual reality may be so advanced in the near future that it could actually connect to the user's brain and reroute normal brain activity while providing its own electrical commands. This could allow the user to see, hear, smell, taste, and touch their virtual environment while not even moving in reality. No matter what the case may be, virtual reality will definitely provide an interesting and useful aspect of society over the next few years.