Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!sdd.hp.com!spool.mu.edu!uwm.edu!ogicse!milton!jcs@crash.cts.com From: jcs@crash.cts.com (John Schultz) Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds Subject: More on Classifying VR Message-ID: <7679@crash.cts.com> Date: 21 Feb 91 18:48:17 GMT References: <16816@milton.u.washington.edu> Sender: hlab@milton.u.washington.edu Organization: Crash TimeSharing, El Cajon, CA Lines: 34 Approved: cyberoid@milton.u.washington.edu In a previous post, I mentioned a VR Turing test, where the user cannot distinguish between a VR simulation and reality. I believe we already have systems that can do this. Their domain is limited, but in their domain they work very well. These systems do not use head-coupled displays nor do they use data gloves. The displays are photo-realistic, and the frame rate is is 30Hz. They don't even use stereo displays, but rely solely on depth of field, light intensity, and other monocular visual cues. The display is so convincing to the brain, that if the user is standing and doesn't hold on to anything, that user will fall over just from visual cues from rotation. The user interface is an exact replica of the device being simulated -- you can't get any better than that. What are these systems? Dome-Fusion Flight Simulators. These systems should be used to calibrate/classify other VR systems. These systems are not really portable, nor are they inexpensive, but they do represent true VR. Current head-coupled systems don't come anywhere close to the DFFSs. This is due to low-resolution display technology limitations, lag-time, and bulky design. The head-coupled systems will catch up to the DFFSs when the display technology advances (CRTs/LCDs/Optics). Once the display is conquered, force/tactile feedback must be solved, and how about true motion (hydraulics)? It looks like the DFFSs will be the VR systems to rate against for the near future. John Tom Furness can probably elaborate further on DFFSs, and how close they come to simulating reality in their specific domain. Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com