Virtual Realities

Virtual reality (VR) is a multidisciplinary area of research aimed at interactive human–computer-mediated simulations of artificial environments. An important aspect of VR-based systems is the stimulation of the human senses – usually sight, sound, and touch – in such a way that a user feels a sense of presence in the virtual environment. Sometimes it is important to combine real and virtual objects in the same real or virtual environment. This approach is often referred to as augmented reality (AR), when virtual objects are integrated into a real environment. Typical VR applications include simulation, training, scientific visualization, and entertainment, whereas typical AR applications include computer-aided manufacturing or maintenance and computer-aided surgery or medicine.

This book comprises articles by some of the well-known international experts presented at the 2008 Dagstuhl seminar on Virtual Reality (VR). The articles include position statements, subjects discussed during the seminar, and relevant research covering the following topics: constrained 3D user interfaces, social gaming and learning applications, future VR software platforms, the next generation of augmented reality systems the importance of experiential fidelity, and fundamental methods to compelling applications.