Introduction to Extended Reality
Imagine a world where technology might help a robot perform safety checks at a nuclear plant, cure an individual’s arachnophobia, and simulate the sensation of a hug from a distant relative. This is the world of "prolonged reality," which incorporates virtual and augmented reality. Researchers funded by the EU have been working to reveal the large potential of this technology.
What is Extended Reality?
Extended reality refers to a spread of technologies that may enhance or replace the actual world with a digital one. This includes virtual reality, which is a totally computer-generated environment, and augmented reality, which reinforces the actual world with digital information. The goal of the researchers was to make these technologies more immersive for users.
The TACTILITY Project
One of the researchers, Erik Hernandez Jimenez, led a project called TACTILITY, which aimed to develop a glove that simulates the sense of touch. The glove uses electrical pulses to deliver sensations to the user’s fingers, allowing them to feel virtual objects. The sensations range from pushing a button to handling a solid object and feeling its shape, dimensions, and texture.
Applications of TACTILITY
The TACTILITY technology has many potential applications, including healthcare and manufacturing. For example, it might be used to treat phobias through exposure therapy, where patients are progressively desensitized to the source of their fear. It may be utilized in the manufacturing industry to coach staff to perform tricky maneuvers on the factory floor.
Benefits of TACTILITY
The TACTILITY technology has many advantages, including its ability to simulate human touch even at a distance. This might be especially useful in situations where physical touch will not be possible, similar to during a pandemic. The technology can also be more realistic and cost-effective than previous attempts to simulate touch sensations.
The WEARTUAL Project
Another EU-funded project, called WEARTUAL, aimed to expand the prospects for wearable technologies in virtual-reality environments. The project focused on the more experiential side of virtual reality, taking a look at ways to include wearables into virtual reality to provide people a way of greater immersion.
Applications of WEARTUAL
The WEARTUAL technology has many potential applications, including gaming and social interactions. For example, it might be used to create avatars that may express emotions and interact with other users in a more realistic way. It may be used to create virtual environments which are more immersive and fascinating.
The Future of Extended Reality
The way forward for prolonged reality is exciting and filled with possibilities. As technology and human bodies grow to be more closely linked, the experience of transferring them to a virtual world will likely be enhanced, encouraging people to spend more time there. Virtual-reality technologies are already getting used for practical purposes, similar to gamifying vital information and making it more interactive and easier to learn.
Conclusion
In conclusion, prolonged reality is a rapidly evolving field that has the potential to revolutionize many areas of our lives. From treating phobias to simulating human touch, the probabilities are limitless. As research and development proceed to advance, we will expect to see more modern applications of prolonged reality in the longer term. Whether it’s through wearables, gloves, or other technologies, prolonged reality is bound to vary the best way we interact with the world and with one another.
