264HAVING FUN WITH VR
In most VR systems, headsets or glasses project the
image of the virtual world in front of the user’s eyes.
People interact with the virtual world using
devices such as joysticks, tracking balls, control
wands, voice-recognition software, data gloves,
and treadmills.INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
Architects, manufacturers, and
designers use VR to test new
products or building designs.
Testing in the virtual world
eliminates any problems before
actual work is performed.Is this real?
Virtual reality (VR) uses computers to create
the illusion of being in a completely different
environment. VR stimulates the senses with
artificial sights and sounds, tricking the brain
into thinking the experience is real.
INTERACT
A woman wears
VR glasses and
uses a wand to
interact with a
virtual world.TECHNOLOGY
VR GAMES
Virtual reality
recreates the
sensation of
snowboarding.VIRTUSPHERE
The “VirtuSphere” is a ball that moves
on rollers, so the user can walk on
an unlimited amount of space.
The user wears a wireless
headset to track movement
and create a picture of
the virtual world.VR systems allow users to
see virtual objects, but some
enable a sense of touch, too. A
user wears a special pair of gloves
with small inflatable bladders
inside them that allow the
person to actually feel
virtual objects.7
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USING VR The VirtuSphere
has many uses, ranging from
military training to virtual tours
of museums.
WALK IN THE PARK
An architect uses VR to look at a
proposed design for a
new park.