1. Virtual Reality
Virtual reality, along with flying cars, teleportation, and food replicators, is one of
the main things that people think about when they're talking about “futuristic”
gadgets. Unlike any of the others, however, virtual reality technology has made
some serious steps forward in the past few years.
gadgets = equipment, machines
While it hasn't gotten to the levels described in sci-fi novels, we're much closer to
functional virtual reality than we are to teleportation. How is this technology
already being used, and what are the possibilities for its future development?
sci-fi = science fiction
Virtual reality is a lot more common than you might imagine. Technically,
anything that simulates our world, or one like it, is virtual reality. This can include
everything from a video game to a computerized model used to test
aerodynamics. Most of today’s virtual reality systems have standard input
devices (mouse and keyboard, video game controller, touch screen, etc.) and the
output is usually on a two-dimensional screen.
aerodynamics = how well an object moves through the air
2. But this is changing. Some video game systems now have motion detectors, so
your movements affect what’s happening in the game. There is a new product
coming out in 2016 that’s called the Oculus Rift; it’s a headset that covers your
eyes and completely immerses you in a virtual universe. It will make you feel like
you’re really walking and looking around an actual place. All of these
technologies are for video games… but games are only a small part of what VR
can be used for.
The biggest practical application of virtual reality is in the field of education and
training. It’s helpful for anyone who needs to develop the ability to do dangerous
work. For example, many surgeons now practice in simulations of operations so
they can hone their skills before operating on a real patient.
hone their skills = improve and perfect their abilities
Pilots also use virtual reality to learn how to fly planes, and this type of training is
now being expanded to help novice truck drivers as well. The military makes
heavy use of VR, testing the recruits in various kinds of combat situations so they
can learn in a controlled environment. Engineers use virtual simulations for
experimenting on design concepts that would take a lot of time and money to
build in the real world.
novice = new and inexperienced
recruits = people who have been recently registered in the military
3. VR is even used in therapy to treat people with phobias and post-traumatic stress
disorder. The patient can gradually encounter the things that would normally
cause them to panic, and learn to control their reactions. The initial results
indicate that this method is very effective.
phobias = irrational fears
The main challenge in the development of VR involves motion sickness. Since the
computer-generated images might not perfectly match our body's natural senses
of perception and balance, it's easy to become disoriented.
disoriented = feeling dizzy and confused, like you don’t know where you are
Some authors have expressed concern that if virtual reality becomes accessible
to the general population, people might get addicted to it. Others have a more
optimistic view, predicting that VR will integrate seamlessly into daily life and
activity.
seamlessly = perfectly consistently
“True” virtual reality (plugging your brain into a computer) is still far off – but
we’re making progress. The devices we have now would be practically
unimaginable to our grandparents when they were our age.
