Virtual reality

Virtual reality is the interaction between a person or people and a virtual (computer generated) world. The computer is programmed with information about a real or imaginary place, building sizes, textures, lighting etc and then rendered to a visual form. Most virtual reality simulations are visual environments but can include sound, and more recently they can contain tactile information for interacting with objects. Currently the virtual reality worlds are experienced through a computer display and mouse but stereoscopic or special glasses can be used so that you can have a 360 degree view of the virtual world.

The main implements of virtual reality are in medical and military training. Technology such as flight simulators make it much safer for pilots to learn important skills, as the virtual plane reacts in exactly the same way as a real plane would. Hydraulics and a fake cabin are used, along with real dials and controls to make the simulation as real as possible. Training doctors in virtual reality is also a more logical way to deal with a very practical problem. Instead of mutilating corpses or even worse, practicing on live patients it is possible to perform surgeries and operations without ever putting anyone in real harm! Of course there are less practical uses, and hopefully one day in the future the latest games will all come out in virtual reality.