Imitation of life, virtual life or reality - these words until recently belonged to the field of science fiction. Many groups of people opposed the process of creating BP, guided by moral or ethical considerations. Nevertheless, this is exactly what will mark a new round in the development of the entire civilization and dictate the conditions of all spheres of life.
What is virtual life?
Today, an increasing number of people are beginning to become interested in this issue. And not casual! Many mass culture products were created in which the theme of virtual reality, the relationship between real life and virtual life, was somehow touched. Interest is fueled by an increase in the global level of education of citizens and modern technologies. So what is life in a virtual world like?
Virtual Reality (VR, Virtual Reality) is a complex technical tool that provides the user with a complete immersion in the virtual world. Its essence lies in the artificial creation of an environment that can fully copy all the properties and subtleties of the real world. Among its functions, transmission of impulses to the human brain is also noted, ensuring the work of all sensory organs. A person in virtual reality can see, hear, smell and feel everything that happens on his own body. Particularly advanced systems are able to demonstrate everything that happens in real time.
How does the virtual world work?
Everything that happens in VR (virtual reality) is constructed on the basis of the real laws of logic, physics and mathematics. Gravity in space, the movement of water or a flame - all this is customizable and used to create virtual reality.
However, some projects created for entertainment purposes may neglect the laws of physics. This enables a person in virtual reality to interact with the outside world at his discretion. So, some versions of BP provide for the possibility of flight or the creation of objects through user management.
It is also worth noting that the virtual world is largely similar to the concept of "augmented reality." In fact, this is just an early version of BP, the first attempts by scientists to invent virtual life.
Virtual reality system
The main auxiliary tool for creating virtual reality is usually called the device with which this project will be implemented. The program is prescribed in a special tool for working with virtual life. If we talk about the resources used, then this is an extremely costly procedure, since it requires a large amount of RAM and electrical energy. Virtual reality using tactile senses is significantly different from the same computer games, like "Sims" and the like, directly interacting with the human brain.
Virtual world visualization, VR helmet
To date, the most used device when immersed in virtual reality is the head helmet of virtual reality. Modern samples of this device are increasingly using the image of glasses in their structure, although the initial parameters have not changed for a long time. An apparatus is one or more displays. They are very close to the eyes, closing the real world from the user. These screens transmit any impulses to the human brain - visual, auditory, olfactory, and others. Each screen or part of the screen is for the right or left eye. A similar system is used in augmented reality, excluding the ability to see real objects around.
The device is also capable of determining the user's location in space (both real and virtual). For this, the program uses technical means: magnetometers, accelerometers, gyroscopes and others. Thus, the helmet of virtual reality is able to pick up the slightest turns of the head, movements and even body temperature, warning about the possible danger of further use of BP. Most of these features are only available for the most modern and expensive virtual reality device models. Cheaper options interact only with the visual senses of a person.
3D Motion Parallax Displays
A rather interesting type of device, the essence of which is an attempt to recreate the volume of virtual objects in the real world. Three-dimensional displays are used in a variety of devices, ranging from conventional smartphones to the CAVE virtual reality room (cave). The Motion Parallax program is able to respond to head movements in the shortest possible time, making it more and more difficult to notice the difference between reality and the program.
If we talk about the system on smartphones, then it involves only part of the optic nerves. With more advanced technologies, everything is much more colorful. The range of recipes in augmented reality rooms is extremely large. In such places, it does not end with a helmet or virtual reality glasses. Devices that read information from the human body are attached throughout the body. They can simultaneously simulate a breath of wind, the smell of the forest, the light of the sun - all that surrounds people in the real world.
Virtual reality retinal display
The best and most technologically advanced way to dive into BP today. Devices that use a retinal display in their structure can directly affect the retina of the human eye, "creating" certain objects that are prescribed in the program. The user of such devices sees volumetric objects floating in space, and a system of imitation of tactile feelings can allow them to be touched. Everything that was created in such a program can be superimposed on real-world objects. Under certain conditions, it can be very similar to mixed or combined reality.
For the effect of complete immersion, a room in which there is no light source is usually used. Before diving into virtual life, you should carefully prepare. It is also worth remembering that all helmets of virtual reality can put pressure on the head and nose, cause a feeling of lostness in space.
Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality, a mixed or augmented reality, is a scientific technology whose purpose is to place any sensory information in the field of human perception. The purpose of this process is to provide additional information about the world around us and increase the level of perception of all information.
The essence of augmented reality is to combine the real world with additional elements created on a computer. This technology is widely used in many areas of life. So, for example, you can see the arrows showing the path of the ball when watching a football match.
The main characteristics that describe augmented reality are:
- a combination of real and virtual;
- real time action;
- three-dimensional perception.
This is exactly the futuristic technology that was used to create science fiction. Mass culture also uses augmented reality. In one of the series of the Sherlock series, this technology was used - the villain’s glasses had the ability to read all information about people by using the Internet. All information in open or closed access was broadcast on these same points. This way of using augmented reality already exists in our time.
The main disadvantage of using augmented reality glasses is usually called health damage. After a day of wearing such a device, users notice eye pain, blurred vision and incorrect focus of perception. Among other points of the cons are: the price of the device and their size. The more powerful the DR technology, the more it weighs and costs.
Google Cardboard - budget option BP
Today it is the easiest way to plunge into the world of modern technology and learn all the secrets of virtual life. Google provides this opportunity without trying to hit the average user.
The structure of the Google Cardboard virtual life glasses is incredibly simple. It can be repeated even at home, if you use ordinary cardboard, your smartphone and a pair of lenses. In addition, you need to find a stereoscope and fasteners for convenience. All devices used in expensive analogues are already present in all smartphones of the latest generation. Glasses do not require a large amount of RAM or energy.
Google Cardboard glasses are attached to the user's head. They can be used to adjust the distance of the lenses in relation to the central part of the pupil. This allows the device to be used by people with low vision. Also has built-in headphones.
Harm from immersion in BP
It is impossible not to say about the impact of virtual reality on the human body and brain. In the media, more and more often stories come up about teenagers or quite adult people who could not tear themselves away from an exciting game. They were dying from lack of sleep, exhaustion, or dehydration, but was the developers to blame?
There is a certain group of people who tend to get too carried away. Mental, manic disorders can aggravate the user's position in virtual or augmented reality. When you first connect to the virtual life system, it is worth spending no more than 15-20 minutes in it. Otherwise, most people may experience nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and many other unpleasant consequences. Disorientation is the biggest minus in the piggy bank of BP. The user can stop navigating in space for up to 24 hours. It is not recommended to drive a car for 2-3 days.
BP theme in popular culture
Futurists of the mid-twentieth century spoke about the invention of virtual space, virtual life and the whole world. The ideas about her were very different and with the passage of time they evolved into creativity. This topic was brought up for discussion in films, books and anime. Virtual simulators were mentioned in such famous works of cinema as: The Matrix, The Beginning. In the anime, virtual life also has a large list of works: "Sword Art Online", "Log Horizon", "King's Avatar", "Alternative Games of the Gods", etc.
Output
The future of all mankind depends on the discoveries that are being made now. This is exactly what the next generations will do, improving the technology of their ancestors. But why do we need virtual life simulators? The use of this system will prevent the mistakes made by humanity. That is why BP exists and is developing. A man in virtual life is a man of the future.