application of virtual reality today Recognize therapeutic uses of virtual reality Importance of VR for training purposes Understand the concerns and challenges

computer simulated environment simulates physical presence VR environments are primarily visual experiences similar to the real world creates a lifelike experience making an electronic world seem real

Therapeutic uses has been shown to be invaluable in phobia treatment like, zoophobia and acrophobia. recent application by the US Navy to immerse veterans suffering from PTSD. Exposure to the subject of the trauma or fear leads to desensitization.

Training It allows professionals to conduct training in a virtual environment where they can improve upon their skills without the consequence of failing the operation. For example: Military It plays an important role in combat training Virtual reality used to train Soldiers in new training simulator August 1, 2012 By Maj. Loren Bymer

Recruits train under a controlled environment where they are to respond to different types of combat situations Fully immersive virtual reality that uses Head Mounted Displays (HMD) Data Suits Data Gloves VR Weapon

Virtual Reality enables heritage sites recreated extremely accurately. VR can be used to develop replicas of caves, natural environment, monuments, old towns, sculptures and archaeological elements. First use of a VR presentation 1994, when a museum visitor interpretation provided an interactive "walk-through" of a 3D reconstruction of Dudley Castle in England as it was in Pimentel, K., & Teixeira, K. (1993). Virtual reality. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN "Architecture's Virtual Shake-Up" Tayfun King, Click, BBC World News ( )

Develop a real time virtual environment computer graphics library can be used as embedded resource coupled with a common programming language, such as C++, Perl, Java, or Python. computer graphic libraries are OpenGL, Direct3D, Java 3D, and VRML, and their use are directly influenced by the system demands in terms of performance, program purpose, and hardware platform. How Virtual Reality Works by Jonathan Strickland

Lack of companies that input devices for VR applications. VR developers have to adapt and incorporate other devices into VR applications. Maintaining telepresence, dealing with latency, preventing user from losing balance, nausea, cybersickness. Actions in the VR during simulation that is illegal in the real world. Expensive equipment. Requires specialized technological knowledge to operate the system.