Virtual Reality: Applications and Explorations provides information pertinent to the fundamental aspects of virtual reality and artificial reality. This book discusses the potential applications of virtual reality. Organized into three parts encompassing 10 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the traditional computer science activities ad discusses how hard problems in computer science can be addressed with virtual reality ideas and technology. This text then explores some applications of virtual reality technology that could potentially touch almost every purposeful activity that humans undertake in a technological civilization. Other chapters consider the use of virtual reality to manage and present to users information that cannot otherwise be comprehended. This book discusses as well the use of artificial worlds in both computer art and virtual reality. The final chapter deals with how the ideas of virtual reality and artificial reality can be of use to anyone who has to manage a business or organization. This book is a valuable resource for computer scientists.

Virtual reality is a powerful emerging technology using advanced computing techniques to create perceptual illusions that transcend ordinary human experiences. This interdisciplinary text explains fundamentals and industry insights from engineering to psychology, enabling students, researchers, and developers to contribute to this growing field.

The idea of virtual realities has a long and complex historical trajectory, spanning from Plato's concept of the cave and the simulacrum, to artistic styles such as Trompe L'oeil, and more recently developments in 3D film, television and gaming. However, this book will pay particular attention to the time between the 1980s to the 1990s when virtual reality and cyberspace were represented, particularly in fiction, as a wondrous technology that enabled transcendence from the limitations of physical embodiment. The purpose of this critical historical analysis of representations of virtual reality is to examine how they might deny, repress or overlook embodied experience. Specifically, the author will contend that embodiment is a fundamental aspect of immersion in virtual reality, rather than something which is to be transcended. In this way, the book aims to challenge distorted ideas about transcendence and productively contribute to debates about embodiment and technology.

Magical describes conditions that are outside our understanding of cause and effect. Even in modern societies, magic-based explanations are powerful because, given the complexity of the universe, there are so many opportunities to use them. The history of medicine is defined by progress in understanding the human body - from magical explanations to measurable results. To continue medical progress, physicians and scientists must openly question traditional models. For thirteen years, MMVR has been an incubator for technologies that create new medical understanding via the simulation, visualization, and extension of reality. Researchers create imaginary patients because they offer a more reliable and controllable experience to the novice surgeon. With imaging tools, reality is purposefully distorted to reveal to the clinician what the eye alone cannot see. Robotics and intelligence networks allow the healer's sight, hearing, touch, and judgment to be extended across distance, as if by magic. The moments when scientific truth is suddenly revealed after lengthy observation, experimentation, and measurement is the real magic. These moments are not miraculous, however. book.

Discover the groundbreaking potential of augmented reality in special education with this comprehensive book, which fills a significant research gap and explores the transformative impact of AR/VR on teaching and learning experiences for individuals with disabilities. Millions of young people across the world have impairments. Because of their apparent problems, these young people have typically been marginalized or excluded from schools. Studies on augmented reality applications in education for special children are still in their early stages and there is a dearth of research on the effects and implications of augmented reality in education for special children or individuals with special needs, such as intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and physical disabilities. Technological advancements have enabled the creation of whole new learning environments, vastly expanding the breadth and sophistication of teaching and learning activities. For example, several studies have shown that virtual reality and augmented reality can help autistic people understand facial emotions and improve their social skills. By compiling a collection of conceptual and research chapters investigating the infiltration of AR/VR into teaching and learning practices and experiences for disabled people, this book will fill a significant gap in current research literature.

Virtual reality (VR) provides immersive stereoscopic visualization of virtual environments, and the visualization effect and computer graphics are critical to enhancing the engagement of participants and achieving optimal education and training effectiveness. Constructing realistic 3D models and scenarios for a specific application of VR simulation is no easy task. There are many different tools for 3D modeling. However, many of the modeling tools are used for manufacturing and product design applications and have advanced features and functions which may not be applicable to different levels of users and various specializations. Cases on Virtual Reality Modeling in Healthcare introduces the use of Blender for VR 3D modeling, demonstrates healthcare applications, and examines potential uses in modeling, dressing, and animation in healthcare. Covering a range of topics such as cross reality, rehabilitation games, and augmented reality, this book is ideal for engineers, industry professionals, practitioners, researchers, academicians, instructors, and students.

The 2-volume set LNCS 10324 and 10325 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Computer Graphics, AVR 2017, held in Ugento, Italy, in June 2017. The 54 full papers and 24 short papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 112 submissions. The papers are organized in the following topical sections: virtual reality; augmented and mixed reality; computer graphics; human-computer interaction; applications of VR/AR in medicine; and applications of VR/AR in cultural heritage.

This book examines the ethics of virtual reality (VR) technologies. New forms of virtual reality are emerging in society, not just from low-cost gaming headsets, or augmented reality apps on phones, but from simulated “deep fake” images and videos on social media. This book subjects the new VR technological landscape to ethical scrutiny: assessing the benefits, risks and regulatory practices that shape it. Though often associated with gaming, education and therapy, VR can also be used for moral enhancement. Journalists, artists, philanthropic and non-governmental organisations are using VR films, games and installations to stimulate user empathy to marginalised peoples through a combination of immersion, embodiment and persuasion. This book critically assesses the use of VR for empathy arousal and pro-social behaviour change, culminating in the development of a VR “ethical tool” – a device to facilitate reflective ethical judgement. Drawing upon the pragmatist philosophy of John Dewey, virtual reality is reshaped as “dramatic rehearsal”. This book explains how a combination of immersive environment-building, moral imagination, choice architecture and reflective engagement can stimulate a future-focused and empathic ethics for users of the technology.