Introduction to Virtual and Augmented Reality in Research
The modern gaming community has witnessed a big surge within the adoption of virtual and augmented reality technologies, delivering stunning and immersive experiences that transport players to latest and exciting worlds. Similarly, these technologies have the potential to revolutionize the best way researchers analyze and present complex data, making it easier to grasp and interpret.
The Evolution of Virtual and Augmented Reality
In the early 2000s, virtual and augmented reality technologies were still of their infancy, and the price of implementing them was prohibitively expensive. However, with the appearance of the gaming industry’s widespread interest in VR and AR, these technologies have undergone significant advancements, becoming more accessible and inexpensive. Today, business VR systems offer higher capabilities, higher resolutions, and greater usability at a fraction of the price, with prices ranging from around $400.
Applying Virtual and Augmented Reality in Research
At the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory, researchers are leveraging VR and AR technologies to support data-intensive scientific and engineering applications. Dr. Simon Su, a pc scientist on the laboratory, is leading the hassle to adapt VR and AR technology to boost the evaluation and presentation of complex research data. By developing workflows that make it easier for scientists and engineers to adopt VR and AR, Su and his team aim to lower the entry barriers and encourage more researchers to explore the advantages of those technologies.
Overcoming Barriers to Adoption
One of the first challenges researchers face when adopting VR and AR technology is the necessity to operate unfamiliar equipment and troubleshoot technical issues. To address this, Su and his team prepare the technology upfront, allowing researchers to deal with analyzing their data without worrying in regards to the technical facets. By providing a user-friendly experience, the team goals to extend the adoption of VR and AR technology amongst researchers.
Developing Virtual and Augmented Reality Applications
Su and his colleagues have created VR and AR applications to enhance the usability of assorted open-source and commercially available technologies. They have expanded the immersive capabilities of the open-source visualization software ParaView, making it compatible with hardware platforms similar to zSpace and HTC Vive. Additionally, they’ve developed a mixed reality system that synchronizes the view of multiple Microsoft HoloLens devices, enabling multiple users to watch the identical 3D holograms and interact with one another in a virtual environment.
Streamlining Data Exploration
The team has also developed hybrid 2D and 3D visualization tools, similar to SyncVis, to streamline the information exploration process. By leveraging the identical technologies developed for the gaming industry, researchers can immerse themselves in a 3D environment and interact with their data directly, somewhat than counting on 2D platforms. This approach has the potential to revolutionize the best way researchers analyze and interpret complex data, resulting in latest insights and discoveries.
Applications of Virtual and Augmented Reality in Research
The applications of VR and AR technology in research are vast and varied. Su and his team have used their VR- and AR-enabled workflows to look at complex 3D data in areas similar to computational fluids dynamics, network modeling, and human sciences. By illuminating Army research in these areas, the team has demonstrated the potential of VR and AR technology to boost our understanding of complex phenomena.
Conclusion
In conclusion, virtual and augmented reality technologies have the potential to remodel the best way researchers analyze and present complex data. By developing workflows that make it easier for scientists and engineers to adopt VR and AR, Su and his team are lowering the entry barriers and inspiring more researchers to explore the advantages of those technologies. As the price and accessibility of VR and AR technology proceed to enhance, it is probably going that these technologies will grow to be a vital tool for researchers, enabling them to realize latest insights and make groundbreaking discoveries. With the potential to revolutionize the best way we analyze and interpret complex data, VR and AR technology is poised to have a big impact on the longer term of research and development.
