Virtual reality originated as an idea by Morton Heilig in the 1960s to simulate environments that interact with human senses. Ivan Sutherland continued developing the concept using computer graphics and head-mounted displays. In the late 1960s, the US military and NASA recognized VR's potential and helped advance the technology for flight simulation training. Today, VR is used across many fields including education, training, medicine, and more, and its future applications may involve direct integration with the human body and nervous system.

1. Virtual RealityVirtual Reality
Chris ConstantineChris Constantine
(I figured you were tired of white or blue slides)(I figured you were tired of white or blue slides)

2. OverviewOverview
 What is VRWhat is VR
 Techniques of VRTechniques of VR
 History of VRHistory of VR
 Uses of VRUses of VR
 Future PossibilitiesFuture Possibilities
 ConclusionsConclusions
 SourcesSources

3. What is VRWhat is VR
 Virtual Reality is defined as:Virtual Reality is defined as:
– Simulated environment (computer?)Simulated environment (computer?)
– Interaction with human sensesInteraction with human senses
– Reactive to input from personReactive to input from person
 What can be VRWhat can be VR
– Just about any simulated environmentJust about any simulated environment

4. Better example of what VR is…Better example of what VR is…
(just follow along… trust him)(just follow along… trust him)

5. Techniques of VRTechniques of VR
 Types of VRTypes of VR
– GlassesGlasses
– Personal mobile suitsPersonal mobile suits
– Head mounted visorsHead mounted visors
– Tracking/Non-TrackingTracking/Non-Tracking
– Motion CapturingMotion Capturing
– Fully enclosed systemsFully enclosed systems
 ‘‘Natural’ VR (yeah, you just did that)Natural’ VR (yeah, you just did that)

6. History of VRHistory of VR
 Morton HeiligMorton Heilig
– Not in computers!Not in computers!
– Surround sound ideaSurround sound idea
for the eyes…for the eyes…
 “…“…why use 18% ofwhy use 18% of
the viewer’s field ofthe viewer’s field of
vision in 2D, when wevision in 2D, when we
can use 100% incan use 100% in
3D…”3D…”

7. $ $ $$ $ $
 Oops… No money!Oops… No money!
– Heilig’s plans fellHeilig’s plans fell
through…through…
– Sensorama! (earlySensorama! (early
60’s)60’s)

8. Ivan SutherlandIvan Sutherland
 Heilig’s ideas fell through, IvanHeilig’s ideas fell through, Ivan
Sutherland, a student at U. UtahSutherland, a student at U. Utah
continued.continued.
 1966… Created his version… happy!1966… Created his version… happy!
– NASA and military realized the potential.NASA and military realized the potential.
(more on that later)(more on that later)

9. Hey, Look at me!Hey, Look at me!
Man, Don’t I look cool!

10. Sutherland’s RevolutionsSutherland’s Revolutions
Heilig’s machine = camerasHeilig’s machine = cameras
But…But…
Sutherland’s idea = CRT’s, graphicsSutherland’s idea = CRT’s, graphics
accelerators, computer generated images.accelerators, computer generated images.

11. Further advancesFurther advances
 Faster image generation systemsFaster image generation systems
– Realtime wireframe drawingRealtime wireframe drawing
 Real world input/output…Real world input/output…
– Enables interactivityEnables interactivity
– 3D position sensors…3D position sensors…

12. VR as we know itVR as we know it
Now, we have VR in the same form asNow, we have VR in the same form as
today.today.
Computer systems with reactive capabilitiesComputer systems with reactive capabilities
generate simulations of any environment.generate simulations of any environment.

13. Uses of VRUses of VR
 Late 1960’s (the main players in history)Late 1960’s (the main players in history)
– MilitaryMilitary
– NASANASA
– Took Sutherland’s ideas and advanced themTook Sutherland’s ideas and advanced them
to use in flight simulations.to use in flight simulations.
 That cool headgear returns!That cool headgear returns!

14. Neat things VR is used for todayNeat things VR is used for today
 PhobiasPhobias
- Fear of Heights, Flying, Spiders, Public- Fear of Heights, Flying, Spiders, Public
Speaking, Driving…etcSpeaking, Driving…etc
 Physical TherapyPhysical Therapy
 EducationEducation

15.  TrainingTraining
– MilitaryMilitary
 Microsoft flight sim?Microsoft flight sim?
– ScholarlyScholarly
– MedicalMedical
– ConstructionConstruction
– Law EnforcementLaw Enforcement
– Lots more….Lots more….

16. Future of VR?Future of VR?
 Future only bound by technologicalFuture only bound by technological
advanceadvance
– Nanotechnology?Nanotechnology?
– Implants?Implants?
 U. Washington already researching:U. Washington already researching:
– Retina image screeningRetina image screening
– Nervous system implanting (EEG and EMG)Nervous system implanting (EEG and EMG)
 Unmanned FlightUnmanned Flight
– Gulf War…Gulf War…

17. Conclusion and SummaryConclusion and Summary
 VR came about as an idea from aVR came about as an idea from a
cinematographer named Morton Heilig incinematographer named Morton Heilig in
19601960
 Ivan Sutherland continued when Heilig ranIvan Sutherland continued when Heilig ran
out of money (doh)out of money (doh)
 Military liked Sutherland’s idea and helpedMilitary liked Sutherland’s idea and helped
him develop it. (around 1966)him develop it. (around 1966)
 NASA really liked it, poured in tons ofNASA really liked it, poured in tons of
money. (late 60’s / early 70’s)money. (late 60’s / early 70’s)

18.  What is VR?What is VR?
– Just about any simulated environment a userJust about any simulated environment a user
can actively experiencecan actively experience
 Terminator-esque future?Terminator-esque future?

19. SourcesSources
 VIRTUAL REALITY -VIRTUAL REALITY -
http://ei.cs.vt.edu/~history/Tate.VR.htmlhttp://ei.cs.vt.edu/~history/Tate.VR.html
 Evolution of Virtual Reality -Evolution of Virtual Reality -
http://www-ec.njit.edu/~gdb1498/Portfolio/CIS350Terhttp://www-ec.njit.edu/~gdb1498/Portfolio/CIS350Ter
 History of VR -History of VR -
http://www.cs.jhu.edu/~cohen/VW2000/Lectures/Histhttp://www.cs.jhu.edu/~cohen/VW2000/Lectures/Hist
 Virtual Reality – History -Virtual Reality – History - http://http://
archive.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Cyberia/VETopLevels/VR.Histarchive.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Cyberia/VETopLevels/VR.Hist

20.  Virtual Reality Techniques in Education and Training:Virtual Reality Techniques in Education and Training:
Technological Issues -Technological Issues -
http://www.agocg.ac.uk/reports/virtual/vrtech/title.htmhttp://www.agocg.ac.uk/reports/virtual/vrtech/title.htm
 SimVis Augmented Virtual Reality Techniques -SimVis Augmented Virtual Reality Techniques -
http://www2.dcs.hull.ac.uk/simmod/Topics/virtual_environhttp://www2.dcs.hull.ac.uk/simmod/Topics/virtual_environ
ments.htmments.htm
 Use of Virtual Reality techniques -Use of Virtual Reality techniques -
http://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/Us_Eu/conf/csun_98/cshttp://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/Us_Eu/conf/csun_98/cs
un98_001.htmun98_001.htm
 VR techniques and illusions -VR techniques and illusions -
http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/A.Steed/vr-intro/http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/A.Steed/vr-intro/
 Virtual Reality Rentals, Explaining VR -Virtual Reality Rentals, Explaining VR -
http://www.rentvr.com/truevr.htmlhttp://www.rentvr.com/truevr.html