                                                    
     Virtual Reality

     by Bradley L. Jones
     Indianapolis PC Users Group

     Virtual reality is just beginning to make its mark on the world. It 
     is something that many people think is a myth. Many other people 
     think it is just a science fiction addict's dream of the ultimate 
     fantasy. Others think that it is just a new technology to be applied 
     to the arcades and not to be taken seriously in business. It was 
     recently stated in the New York Times that "Virtual reality is 
     becoming a reality." Virtual reality is no longer becoming a reality 
     -- it is a reality -- and it will be even more so in the future.
	Random House defines reality as "the state or quality of being real" 
     and "resemblance to what is real." Virtual is defined as "being such 
     in force or effect, though not actually or expressly such." Putting 
     the two together does not give an easy-to-understand definition; 
     however it is correct. Virtual reality is simply something that is 
     "almost real."
	
     Virtual reality systems are computer systems that allow for the 
     creation of virtual reality worlds. (Virtual reality worlds are 
     worlds which a person can interact within.) There are two different 
     categories of virtual reality systems, Desktop and Real. Desktop 
     virtual reality is the less-expensive form. It is also the more 
     prevalent form in use today. It allows a user to interact with a 
     simulated computer world by looking at a computer monitor and 
     manipulating peripherals. Such peripherals may include track balls, 
     mice (2D and 3D), joysticks, foot peddles, spaceballs, and gloves. 
     It will not use devices such as the helmets typically associated 
     with virtual reality.
	
     The prime use of desktop virtual reality today is in computer aided 
     design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM). By using desktop virtual 
     reality, designers can create three dimensional objects on their 
     computer screen. These objects can then be manipulated using the 
     glove as if the object were being held. By turning the gloved hand, 
     the object on the screen can be turned or moved.

	The second category of virtual reality, Real, is just coming into 
     existence. Real virtual reality is associated with immersion, and 
     thus is also known as immersion virtual reality. Immersion is a 
     common term that adapts easily to virtual reality. Immersion simply 
     means to be totally absorbed, or to be immersed. The act of going 
     into a virtual reality world is called immersion. This means the 
     real world is totally blocked out. For example, a virtual reality 
     Indy Car application would recreate the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 
     the car, and the audience. If the participant looked around he 
     would see the track, the other drivers, the clouds in the sky. He 
     could listen to the audience cheer, or the rumbling of the engine. 
     If a car would crash behind him, he would hear the sound from 
     behind. In real virtual reality, similar to desktop virtual reality, 
     peripherals are used; however, in order to create the total 
     immersion, a helmet is used. It is the real form of virtual reality 
     that is going to bring new businesses into existence in the near 
     future.
	
     Cost was a major factor in preventing companies from developing for 
     virtual reality. Within the last few years, the price of developing 
     virtual reality systems has dropped tremendously. In 1990, the cost 
     to setup a system was around 200,000 dollars. In 1992 the cost 
     dropped to about 20,000 dollars largely due to the introduction of 
     high speed microprocessors. In 1993 it will be half that, to about 
     10,000. Alan Hald, vice chairman of MicroAge Inc., predicts the cost 
     of a virtual reality system to be about 695 dollars by 1997. This 
     cost would allow for an adequate home experience, while still 
     allowing it manufacturers to obtain a profit. As microchips like the 
     80486 and Pentium become available, the power and cost will continue 
     to drop while the abilities increase. Kevin Teixeira is quoted in 
     the Washington Post as saying, "It [virtual reality] is going to 
     explode, and the fundamental questions are going to be what are you 
     going to do with it, not how are we going to do it." Kevin is the 
     project manager at Intel Corporation in charge of virtual reality.

	There are a number of businesses in existence today that are based 
     on immersion virtual reality. The most commercial use is by a 
     company called W Industries in Leicester, U.K. W Industries has 
     created a system called Virtuality. Virtuality is an arcade game 
     that shows the potential of the technology. There are two different 
     Virtuality systems. One is a sit-down version, the other a stand-up 
     version. In these games, which are now all across the United States, 
     a player can participate with others in various events. By donning 
     the helmet and grasping a joystick at the end of a wire, the players 
     are thrust into another world. With the helmet on, he can look in 
     any direction and see what is there. If there are multiple players 
     using the system, they can even see the other people -- or at least 
     their virtual counterparts. Using the peripherals, each player can 
     move around in the world and interact with the others.

	Other less commercial virtual reality systems in use today can also 
     be found. There is currently a desktop system being used by brokers 
     to help them better play the stock market. In this system, the 
     broker can see the different stocks on his screen as graphics. 
     Stocks that are doing well are shown in blue, stocks that are not 
     doing well are in red. By using a spaceball (a palm sized ball that 
     has features similar to a mouse) and pointing a wand, the broker can 
     manipulate actual stocks.

	Another use of real virtual reality is an immersion system in Japan. 
     A Japanese store, Matsushita Electric Works, is using an immersion 
     system to help its clients see what their remodeled kitchen will look 
     like. By putting the client into the virtual kitchen, they can see 
     what cabinets and appliances will work best in their house. The 
     store also takes advantage of not needing to stock all of their 
     appliances within the showroom. Instead, they have all of them in 
     the virtual environment.

	With the increased power available to microcomputers with the 80486 
     and the Pentium, virtual reality is receiving a boost. As
     microcomputers continue to provide more power, virtual reality will 
     become even more real and thus more practical. 
     