Virtual Reality was once the dream of every film-maker, video-gamer and futurist. Expectations ran from revolutionizing education to field-training for dangerous occupations to virtual vacations at fractions of real-world prices. While technology has improved dramatically since the first virtual reality offerings, VR has never quite caught on. Developments in computers and materials are paving the way for resurgence of popularity for virtual reality. New VR consoles may take advantage of these advancements to create a truly immersive experience.
Computer Power
According to Moore’s Law, miniaturization advances allow computer processing power to effectively double every two years. Considering the capability of today’s computers, it won’t be long before limitations of processing and memory are a thing of the past. While virtual reality programs have always been large, fast direct attached storage and increased memory capacity make running even the largest programs feasible. As processors and memory become more efficient and less expensive these programs will be able to be more complex and lifelike.
Augmented Reality
Virtual reality was originally designed using total immersion headsets. At the time it was the only way to filter out unwanted background details and provide a fully sculpted experience. Advances in several key technologies have created a new way of experiencing virtual reality called “augmented reality”.
Soon, computer-generated imagery will be able to be viewed within the eye itself without cumbersome headgear. Since augmented reality works with the background images of the real world and enhances them, virtual reality will no longer require complete sensory deprivation.
Metamaterials
Scientists continue to develop new types of materials for everything from military armor to fashion accessories. On the horizon are what some scientists call metamaterials. These materials are formed from structures that are actually smaller than the wavelength of light. These groundbreaking materials are currently able to guide rays of light around objects, making them invisible.
Although only in the testing stages, metamaterials will revolutionize computers and graphics in unfathomable ways. Depending on the applications, everything from augmented reality contact lenses to super-powered direct attached storage systems could be created.
Virtual reality still has hurdles to overcome, from both a technological and cultural standpoint. With each advance in materials and computing however, the gap between the potential uses and the pragmatic realities becomes smaller and smaller. With no more cumbersome headgear and visual enhanced with augmented reality and metamaterials, virtual reality may yet become a household name.
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Cary
June 14, 2012 at 11:01 am
well, I just loved the term Augmented Reality! It sounds so lovely, man! Well, Do you still feel that there is no need of sensors to augment such things? I don’t feel so?
Lakshmi Balu
June 14, 2012 at 11:36 am
The technology experts have always dreamed of this concept in the mainstream life. Augmented reality is already in the context of real world applications. The days of ghostly arrows pointing you to a favorite mall is soon to be a reality with AR. The meta materials is something that I only heard here and it is an interesting technology advancement for me! Thanks for writing about these metamaterials. These being tinier than the light molecules sure is a wonder for me.
TracyAnn0312
June 14, 2012 at 12:11 pm
What can be the benefits of it if ever we have try to use them? Thank you for sharing another informational topic in your blog.
Alec Farell
June 15, 2012 at 10:42 pm
There are plenty of benefits for virtual reality. Think about medicine, or creating a virtual city and structures for the architects, or playing video games. The possibilities are endless!