The first "virtual reality" to incorporate all five senses relatively realistically, with a headset that can let you see, smell, hear, taste and touch (otherwise known as the "virtual cocoon"). The scientists working on the technology said that they think they can pinpoint the "necessary expertise" needed in order to make a realistic virtual reality so realistic - that the user won't be able to tell the difference. Their hope for the virtual reality future is that there comes a day when people can be "virtual tourists" and be able to visit places without being there, maybe even visit old empires and experience things in a way that we never could before. Definitely a cool idea if it ever comes through!
link:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090304091227.htm
This reminds me of the movie "Surrogates", people lived out their lives in a "cocoon". They experienced everything through the robots they sent out into the world. This would be so cool to play video games in though, once it worked. However, I don't know if I'd like to smell some of the things in a dungeon or whatnot.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea, but it seems like its getting a bit much when they add in taste and smell. I love the idea of virtual reality, but its more of a move and see kind of idea more than anything. I would like to see more perfection of those senses before they move onto something complicated like taste and smell. Also, as nick says, I don't want virtual reality to get to a point where we're lifeless in a chair, it should encourage us to at least move a little bit, no need for us to get extremely lazy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Soqui. There is the potential to become very lazy and dependent. Also, we live in such a beautiful world, it seems a shame to waste life by "living" virtually instead of living presently in this world.
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