Virtual RealityVirtual Reality

Chris ConstantineChris Constantine

(I figured you were tired of white or blue (I figured you were tired of white or blue slides)slides)

OverviewOverview

What is VRWhat is VR Techniques of VRTechniques of VR History of VRHistory of VR Uses of VRUses of VR Future PossibilitiesFuture Possibilities ConclusionsConclusions SourcesSources

What is VRWhat is VR

Virtual Reality is defined as:Virtual Reality is defined as:– Simulated environment (computer?)Simulated environment (computer?)– Interaction with human sensesInteraction with human senses– Reactive to input from personReactive to input from person

What can be VRWhat can be VR– Just about any simulated environmentJust about any simulated environment

Better example of what VR is…Better example of what VR is…

(just follow along… trust him)(just follow along… trust him)

Techniques of VRTechniques of VR

Types of VRTypes of VR– GlassesGlasses– Personal mobile suitsPersonal mobile suits– Head mounted visorsHead mounted visors– Tracking/Non-TrackingTracking/Non-Tracking– Motion CapturingMotion Capturing– Fully enclosed systemsFully enclosed systems

‘‘Natural’ VR (yeah, you just did that)Natural’ VR (yeah, you just did that)

History of VRHistory of VR

Morton HeiligMorton Heilig– Not in computers!Not in computers!– Surround sound Surround sound

idea for the eyes…idea for the eyes…

“…“…why use 18% of why use 18% of the viewer’s field of the viewer’s field of vision in 2D, when vision in 2D, when we can use 100% we can use 100% in 3D…”in 3D…”

$ $ $$ $ $

Oops… No money!Oops… No money!– Heilig’s plans fell Heilig’s plans fell

through…through…

– Sensorama! (early Sensorama! (early 60’s)60’s)

Ivan SutherlandIvan Sutherland

Heilig’s ideas fell through, Ivan Heilig’s ideas fell through, Ivan Sutherland, a student at U. Utah Sutherland, a student at U. Utah continued.continued.

1966… Created his version… happy!1966… Created his version… happy!– NASA and military realized the potential.NASA and military realized the potential.

(more on that later)(more on that later)

Hey, Look at me!Hey, Look at me!

Man, Don’t I look cool!

Sutherland’s RevolutionsSutherland’s Revolutions

Heilig’s machine = camerasHeilig’s machine = cameras

But…But…

Sutherland’s idea = CRT’s, graphics Sutherland’s idea = CRT’s, graphics accelerators, computer generated accelerators, computer generated images.images.

Further advancesFurther advances

Faster image generation systemsFaster image generation systems– Realtime wireframe drawingRealtime wireframe drawing

Real world input/output…Real world input/output…– Enables interactivityEnables interactivity– 3D position sensors…3D position sensors…

VR as we know itVR as we know it

Now, we have VR in the same form as Now, we have VR in the same form as today.today.

Computer systems with reactive Computer systems with reactive capabilities generate simulations of capabilities generate simulations of any environment.any environment.

Uses of VRUses of VR

Late 1960’s (the main players in Late 1960’s (the main players in history)history)– MilitaryMilitary– NASANASA

– Took Sutherland’s ideas and advanced Took Sutherland’s ideas and advanced them to use in flight simulations.them to use in flight simulations.

That cool headgear returns!That cool headgear returns!

Neat things VR is used for Neat things VR is used for todaytoday

PhobiasPhobias- Fear of Heights, Flying, Spiders, Public - Fear of Heights, Flying, Spiders, Public

Speaking, Driving…etcSpeaking, Driving…etc

Physical TherapyPhysical Therapy EducationEducation

TrainingTraining– Military Military

Microsoft flight sim?Microsoft flight sim?

– ScholarlyScholarly– MedicalMedical– ConstructionConstruction– Law EnforcementLaw Enforcement– Lots more….Lots more….

Future of VR?Future of VR? Future only bound by technological Future only bound by technological

advanceadvance– Nanotechnology?Nanotechnology?– Implants?Implants?

U. Washington already researching:U. Washington already researching:– Retina image screeningRetina image screening– Nervous system implanting (EEG and Nervous system implanting (EEG and

EMG)EMG)

Unmanned FlightUnmanned Flight– Gulf War…Gulf War…

Conclusion and SummaryConclusion and Summary

VR came about as an idea from a VR came about as an idea from a cinematographer named Morton cinematographer named Morton Heilig in 1960Heilig in 1960

Ivan Sutherland continued when Ivan Sutherland continued when Heilig ran out of money (doh)Heilig ran out of money (doh)

Military liked Sutherland’s idea and Military liked Sutherland’s idea and helped him develop it. (around 1966)helped him develop it. (around 1966)

NASA really liked it, poured in tons of NASA really liked it, poured in tons of money. (late 60’s / early 70’s)money. (late 60’s / early 70’s)

What is VR?What is VR?– Just about any simulated environment a Just about any simulated environment a

user can actively experienceuser can actively experience

Terminator-esque future?Terminator-esque future?

SourcesSources VIRTUAL REALITY - VIRTUAL REALITY -

http://ei.cs.vt.edu/~history/Tate.VR.htmlhttp://ei.cs.vt.edu/~history/Tate.VR.html Evolution of Virtual Reality - Evolution of Virtual Reality -

http://www-ec.njit.edu/~gdb1498/Portfolio/http://www-ec.njit.edu/~gdb1498/Portfolio/CIS350TermPaper2.htmlCIS350TermPaper2.html

History of VR - History of VR - http://www.cs.jhu.edu/~cohen/VW2000/Lehttp://www.cs.jhu.edu/~cohen/VW2000/Lectures/History.color.pdfctures/History.color.pdf

Virtual Reality – History - Virtual Reality – History - http://http://archive.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Cyberia/VETopLevelarchive.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Cyberia/VETopLevels/VR.History.htmls/VR.History.html

Virtual Reality Techniques in Education and Virtual Reality Techniques in Education and

Training: Technological Issues - Training: Technological Issues - http://www.agocg.ac.uk/reports/virtual/vrtech/titlehttp://www.agocg.ac.uk/reports/virtual/vrtech/title.htm.htm

SimVis Augmented Virtual Reality Techniques - SimVis Augmented Virtual Reality Techniques - http://www2.dcs.hull.ac.uk/simmod/Topics/virtual_http://www2.dcs.hull.ac.uk/simmod/Topics/virtual_environments.htmenvironments.htm

Use of Virtual Reality techniques - Use of Virtual Reality techniques - http://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/Us_Eu/conf/csunhttp://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/Us_Eu/conf/csun_98/csun98_001.htm_98/csun98_001.htm

VR techniques and illusions - VR techniques and illusions - http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/A.Steed/vr-intro/http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/A.Steed/vr-intro/

Virtual Reality Rentals, Explaining VR - Virtual Reality Rentals, Explaining VR - http://www.rentvr.com/truevr.htmlhttp://www.rentvr.com/truevr.html