VW Design – CAD modeling and Virtual Reality presentation

The CAD workstation at the VW’s Design Centre in Potsdam; vehicle presentation and evaluation using virtual reality (Powerwall). More at www.carbodydesign.com

Computers and Virtual Reality

Along with the expansion of the internet, we have often heard the word “virtual”. This is a common expression among computer geeks and you will often hear it if you stay long enough next to one. Computer programmers have used this expression when they coded different programs, but they never imagined that the science fiction world would use it in publications.

A virtual reality is a world in which everything is digitalized and information is the ultimate power. The more information you have, the more powerful you become. It is said that in a perfect virtual world, we would be able to tell the difference between what is real and what is not. This could be the ultimate goal for programmers, to create a program where everyone could create a virtual image of him and could be able to lead the life that he has always dreamed.

A virtual reality program could be the answer to the cryogenic status in which some people choose to be placed. This would keep their mind occupied while they are frozen, thus in case of resurrection, they will be able to have all of their mental functions. This could be a perfect example of how science fiction has motivated the technological community to develop and study new technologies. If this keeps up, there is no telling where we will end up and how the future would look like to us.

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If I wore to wake up in a world that has changed beyond recognition, I would rather not be awoken at all. Virtual reality could prove to be a perfect solution for those that need to escape the continuous evolutions of society and seclude themselves in a world that offers them pace and relaxation.

Rodney Mullen “Virtual Reality”

This is Rodney Mullens legendary part from Plan B’s classic video “Virtual Reality” This is my favourite Rodney part and his tricks are just amazing.

Virtual Reality Therapy to Treat Phobias

We are in the 21st century, so high-tech gadgets would, of course, present themselves to treat phobias and fears. In actuality, virtual reality has proven to be quite effective in treating phobias – especially arachnophobia.

This is one therapy you will not be able to do on your own. You will have to find a place that offers this treatment since it requires a virtual reality setup. However, we can touch on the basics of what it can do and how it works.

Virtual Reality (VR) is a type of exposure therapy in a virtual setting that is safer, less embarrassing, and less costly than reproducing the real world situations. Besides situations can be created that are difficult to find in real life and it’s more realistic than imagining the danger.

Already some experiments have proven VR to be a useful tool in treating specific phobias such as fear of heights, fear of spiders, fear of flying and claustrophobia, as well as agoraphobia. However most research that is done on VR exposure consists of single case studies and controlled group studies are necessary to support the conclusions of case studies. Research in this area is still in its infancy, but is progressing rapidly.

The therapy consists of a few sessions with a psychologist to determine the origin of the fear. The VRT portion of the therapy begins after there is a sufficient understanding of the phobia. Using a platform and a headset, a patient is immersed in a computer-generated environment designed to reproduce a real-world setting. Real digital video is incorporated into the virtual environment to promote a sense of reality. A process known as habituation is used to help patients manage their anxiety.

Habituation occurs with exposure over time. The therapy might begin with exposure to the virtual room only. Then the stimulus (spider) is introduced far away and gradually gets closer. It’s sort of like taking baby steps. As the patient becomes more and more comfortable in the room, the body’s anxiety reaction will become less and less severe.

The headset is attached to a desktop computer and sensors pick up any head movement so when the user turns his head, he can look around. The earphones will simulate the sounds of the environment. The platform also moves to simulate the physical nature of the situation.

The process is started in a hierarchical way beginning with the less intimidating scenario and gradually making it more difficult. The patient is kept in the environment until their anxiety begins to lessen (habituation).

Overall the experience is convincing but still cartoon-like; there’s no mistaking this for the real situation. But, for most people with phobias that doesn’t matter–it’s real enough to elicit their fears. The advantages of virtual reality are becoming very evident. First, the therapist can carefully control the amount of exposure in each session. For fear of flying, for example, they can slowly take clients through the steps of a flight–from takeoff to landing–over many sessions, waiting at each step and working with them until they feel comfortable and habituated.

Also there is the convenience and confidentiality factor: One therapist explains, “I could take someone with a fear of elevators onto a real elevator, but this way they don’t have to worry about running into people and explaining who this guy with them is.”

Finally, it’s easier to get people with phobias to agree to exposure therapy when it’s begun virtually, rather than in vivo. In vivo [exposure therapy] is very effective, but you have to convince people to try it. By definition, someone with a phobia wants to avoid what they’re afraid of.

Of course, virtual reality has some disadvantages as well. First, there is the cost: A Virtually Better VR system sells for more than $6,000 and requires a monthly licensing fee. That price tag doesn’t put it out of reach for most therapists, but it is a significant investment.

For the patient, it can be expensive as well. The treatment costs between $100 and $300 an hour. Typical treatments are completed in eight one-hour sessions. Also, the therapy does not work for everyone–and it works better for some people than for others. Some studies have found, for example, that people who are more hypnotizable or more easily able to block out distraction and be absorbed in an activity like reading are also more likely to benefit from virtual reality exposure therapy. There are people who try it and it doesn’t work, but that’s not true for most people.

The goal, of course, is to eventually move all clients from the virtual to the real world.

When it comes to arachnophobia, virtual reality appears to work very, very well. On the screen, the phobic will see a 3-D virtual spider in what appears to be a normal setting like the kitchen. The subject will be encouraged to “walk” closer to the spider while their anxiety level is monitored.

Eventually, they will be asked to touch a realistic larger version of a spider while virtually touching the one in the setting. Again, habituation is used to minimize the body’s fear response and the patient will eventually become less stressed to touch the spider – both virtually and in reality.

While not everyone is able to do this, they are able to make great strides towards reducing their anxiety level and better deal with the spider in real life.

Free Dog And Puppy Games Taking Steps Towards Virtual Reality

Some of us may have already noticed the surge in free dog and puppy games available to play online. Arcade websites have been featuring all sorts of dog games portraying puppies and dogs as the main characters in the adventure. Their popularity has grown to such an extent, that a simple search in Google for the term dog games will return over fifty million results. The themes in these games vary from veterinarian clinics, pet care center and fashion salons, where children can play dress up games with their favorite pet. However, a special kind of theme sets itself apart, while catching the eye of technology enthusiasts like me. A new concept in free dog games places the player in control of a virtual room or house, with the sole objective of caring for the dog or puppy inside.

Free dog games in which the player’s only objective is to care for the pet are called pet caring games. The player starts off in a virtual room, inside a house, with a list of actions and items at his disposal. For example, he would need to click on the bowl, and place it somewhere in the floor in order to feed the dog. Other actions include voice commands in the form of praise or reprimand, pretty much the same way they are used by dog trainers. To help gamers get the ball rolling, there is usually an icon in the corner of the screen advising on the situation and making recommendations for actions to take. For example, the image may alert you that the dog is hungry, or thirsty. You might also be advised of the animal’s wrong doing, and that he needs to be corrected.

In any event, these online free dog games aim to encourage children and adults alike into getting their feet wet in terms of caring for a dog at home. In the same way young, want to be mothers take a doll home that can scream, cry and mess their pants, these virtual dog games attempt to do the same thing for a pet at home. Thus, the use of virtual reality is essential. The better the realism aspect of the game is, the more entertaining it will be for gamers. Nowadays, we are only enjoying the rudimentary stages of virtual reality, as it is being used in free dog games online. The use of detailed graphics as a tool is very helpful. Background artwork and character images can be made to look very real. Although most of the 3D artwork and high resolution graphics are limited to console versions, ever increasing Internet speeds and processor prices are sure to bring some improvement to the home Internet user.

Sound scores also add realism to free dog games online. With the use of stereo speakers hooked up to your computer, you are sure to hear a real dog barking while playing the game. All these features which add realism to dog games are only in the beginning stages. However, in dog caring games the only way to improve on the experience of game play is by adding realism, and with new technology advances being implemented day by day, we are sure to see improvements in this area as well.