Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 11.14
Virtual Reality Applications
Virtual reality has been used to
increase real estate sales in several
powerful ways. RealSpace Vision
Communication, for example, helps
real estate developers showcase
their properties with virtual reality
tours.
(Source: Courtesy of RealSpace
Vision Communication Inc.)
Virtual reality technology can also link stroke patients to their physical therapists. Patients
put on special gloves and other virtual reality devices at home that are linked to the physical
therapist's office. The physical therapist can then see whether the patient is performing the
correct exercises without having to travel to the patient's home or hospital room. In this way,
using virtual reality can cut travel time and costs.
Education and Training
Virtual environments are used in education to bring exciting new resources into the class-
room. Students can stroll among digital bookshelves, develop communication skills in
front of a virtual audience, learn anatomy on a simulated cadaver, or participate in historical
events—all virtually. Virtual reality, for example, has been used to help those with
has developed a three-dimensional virtual reality system that displays an eighteenth-
Washington, North Carolina, can take a virtual trip down the Nile for a cross-disciplinary
lesson on ancient Egypt. This interactive virtual reality computer lesson integrates social
studies, geography, music, art, science, math, and language arts.
Some virtual reality systems help
train people to overcome their fear
of public speaking.
(Source: Copyright © Virtually
Better, Inc.)
Virtual technology has also been applied by the military. To help with aircraft mainte-
nance, a virtual reality system has been developed to simulate an aircraft and give a user a
sense of touch, while computer graphics provide a sense of sight and sound. The user sees,
touches, and manipulates the various parts of the virtual aircraft during training. The Virtual
Aircraft Maintenance System simulates real-world maintenance tasks that are routinely per-
formed on the AV-8B vertical takeoff and landing aircraft used by the U.S. Marines. Also,
the Pentagon is using a virtual reality training lab to prepare for a military crisis. The virtual
reality system simulates various war scenarios.
