From: rice@steroid.hti.com (Jason Rice)
Subject: Re: INDUSTRY: FLASH! "VPL is dead, long live VPL . . ."
Date: Sat, 8 Dec 90 17:41:57 CST


>> As long as the VR industry, such as it is,
>> concentrates on ridiculous and clumsy toys like gloves and helmets

>There's a bit of a problem with fundamental physics here. Either
>you want to overlay the virtual world on the real world or not.

No, the problem isn't physics.

The problem is exactly that no matter how you argue "gee whiz"
or "aesthetic purity" issues, the bottom line is the glove/helmet
is designed for solo isolation, but takes two people to put on and
use.  Exceptions made for padded anechoic rooms ;)

The sensory deprivation just isn't worth the impractical ergonomic trade-
offs, the vast techno for techno sake overkill and the insurmountable cost.

Anyone can (and about everyone has given his/her best shot) design a glove,
an HMD, and a pret-ty pret-ty color wheel to watch with them.

It's not getting anywhere so lets move on.

Maybe the very nature of the virtual/real bleedover is its own
solution, NOT an inherent problem.  

[squinch your eyes real good and read that last sentence several times]


jason


 - The ideas expressed are mine if they cause any trouble -
 - and my employer's if they make any money.              -