Year 6 Exhibition My Investigation Introduction Can you imagine a world where doctors can perform surgery in France but the patient is in New Zealand? Patients can be treated, overcome trauma without reliving it, handle dangerous goods without even touching them, and children can learn about space like they are really there. This is the future this is virtual reality. My group has been studying how advanced technology can provoke and challenge humankind. I have taken interest into virtual reality and my questions are: What is virtual reality? How is it used today? What challenges and issues does it pose for the future?
What is virtual reality?: Virtual reality is an artificial environment. When virtual reality is used it is presented to the user in a way that the user believes that it is a real environment. Virtual reality is usually experienced through two of the five senses: sight and sound.
The simplest form of virtual reality is a 3-D computer game. It is usually made by moving a mouse or joystick so that the content of the image moves in some direction or zooms in or out. More sophisticated virtual reality involves such approaches as wraparound display screens, actual rooms made more real with wearable computers, and touch devices that let you feel the display images. Virtual reality can be used for : •
•
The training of pilots, police, medical professionals. The development of an imagined environment for a game or interactive story.
As virtual reality becomes more cost effective and accessible, I believe it will feature more in our day-today lives, not just in the specialist areas mentioned above. People and business are already starting to show what we can do with virtual reality technology.
How is it used today? Military: Video games have been used by the US military to prevent and treat post-traumatic stress disorder. 'PTSD', or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, is a psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of a life-threatening events such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or physical or sexual assault in adult or childhood' )
From <https://www.google.co.nz/?gws_rd=ssl> ) this year the Canadian military is using virtual reality (vr) therapy. When the soldiers use the therapy it put he\she in the place that traumatised him\her. The therapy takes the person back to the place without getting he\she remembering the accident. (http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/games/8029419/ Virtual-reality-helps-blast-away-stress) Â Education: Children can learn with virtual reality. Using virtual reality, children can explore the topic they are investigating. This helps some kids that learn better visually with colour or symbols because it puts them in a 3-D environment with colours and symbols. Virtual reality in education also helps large groups of children interact with each other. In a 3-D world they can study objects in a different form. Healthcare: Healthcare has used virtual reality the most in the past years. It has been used for training surgeons, phobia treatment and etc. by using virtual reality people aren't at risk. Phobia treatment: virtual reality is used to treat phobias like a fear of flying and claustrophobia virtual reality is used to treat this. Film: virtual reality is often used in science fiction films. The headset transports the main characters from reality to a virtual world inside a computer. This isn't like virtual reality today it is just a different version. Business: virtual reality is being used the business industry to give virtual tours, train employees and etc. using virtual reality in business is helpful epically with
companies that handle dangerous products. Using the virtual reality employees won't be at risk or harm. Engineering: virtual reality in Engineering is used for 3D modelling of tools and layouts of plans. Virtual reality helps Engineering for making railway tracks and the design of cars. Virtual reality engineering is employed by balfour Beatty rail. Using Virtual reality to design cars is safer to test models. Sport: virtual reality is used in sport to train. Virtual reality in sport is used to measure the spotters performance. Virtual reality is used to design sports clothes and equipment. Virtual reality has also improved people experience of sporting events. In some games the virtual reality allows the user to become part of the game. Scientific Visualization: virtual reality in scientific visualization is allowing users to interact with pictures and is allowing them to see it at different angles. Virtual reality in scientific visualization is used in many sciences like physics, chemistry and more Telecommunications: virtual reality in Telecommunications is used to contact. One of the challenges is tones of voice and movement. Telecommunication in virtual reality can also help in surgery simulation. Construction: virtual reality in construction is extremely useful for building the structure of a building. By using virtual reality the builder can estimate the price that it will cost to make the
building. Using virtual reality in construction is better for safety because builders can build the construction and explore it. (http://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-‐reality-‐ applications/index.html) •
From researching this topic I found out most of the ways virtual reality can be used in the 21 century
I interviewed and emailed people who have used virtual reality in their business- Kevin Sheehy ( An organizer of a meet-up group in Wellington to create virtual reality simulations) and Sarah Meikle(festival director of Wellington On A Plate and virtual reality simulation in Auckland)
I emailed Kevin Sheehy- founder of a meet up group for virtual reality in Wellington Kevin Sheehy was always intrigued to see how people responded to the new amazing technology . He started a company with his business partner which develops VR simulations to explain scientific concepts such as how new medicines work to treat illness. The VR simulation can show any size of treatment, from a life size robot to a Nano-scale molecule, and lets people experience it as though they were the same size as what’s going on in the body when these treatments are used. They did their first demo shows at the Malaghan Institute (a research institute in Wellington) and their aim was to help the body’s own immune cells recognise and destroy cancer cells to treat cancer. He thinks that this technology is so new that some ways of using it are very difficult and he would like
people to share what they discover or develop, so that many Wellington based developers can be successful. He believes many minds are better than one when it comes to solving very complex problems such as developing large computer simulation programmes. Kevin believes that there are already a few businesses doing some very exciting new work and being able to sell their work internationally, this generates new jobs for people in Wellington. He says that there are always challenges with new technologies, and some of these are already recognised, such as, the simulators that can cause motions sickness (like car-sickness). Usually the Government sets up groups to look into any risk to people that new technologies can cause and internationally this is already happening. It is also possible that young children who’s eyesight hasn’t fully developed yet can have vision problems if they use VR goggles and that is why there is an age restriction on the use of the Goggles like Oculus Rift.
•
•
From this email from Kevin I have learnt more about how other people use virtual reality in their everyday life. I decided to email Kevin Sheehy because he has set up and is running a meet-up centre for people interested in making and using virtual reality.
I had an interview with Sarah Meikel- Wellington on a plate festival director Sarah Meikle says Visa Wellington On A Plate is a food festival. They worked together with Visa and an advertising company, Colenso, to target and encourage Auckland foodies to attend Visa Wellington On A Plate (VWOAP). They wanted Aucklanders to be inspired to find out more information, the challenge was -how do you bring life to something which, by its very nature truly has to be experienced in person?. Colenso proposed an idea of creating a virtual reality experience inside a big box. To create the big box idea, Sarah gave the filming crew locations that she wanted filmed and her job was to comment on the script. There are scenes around a bee hive and honey, the prison where you get handed a plate of fancy food, a green forest with birds, fern and fauna, downtown laneways, and last of all you get a great view of Wellington from Mt Victoria.
Development information: The activation was built around a custom-made sensory experience; with 360 virtual reality scenarios for a 'multi-sensory explosion'. Central to this was the development of a completely immersive 3D video environment. This was developed using Oculus Rift technology that would be experienced through Samsung Gear VR goggles and headphones. The virtual reality video experience can be viewed in 2D athttps://visaentertainment.co.nz/feature/visavr.
The clip was filmed in Wellington with a special 3D film. It took about 2-3 days to film and about 1 week to edit the 60 second clip. Consumers walked into the VWOAP space cube and sat down at a dining table. They placed the googles and headphone on and were immersed in an experience enlightening their visual, sound and smell (emitted in sequence to the video footage from a device on the dining table) senses. They chose virtual reality because they wanted to do something new that no other company in New Zealand had done before. We wanted to use film and we wanted to do something where we could engage the people who experienced it through their senses. Wellington on a plate chose virtual reality because they wanted to do something new that no other company in New Zealand had done before. They wanted to use film and wanted to do something where we could engage the people who experienced it through their senses. Sarah says they were sending the message - "Visa Wellington On A Plate: More than just a meal". Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the experience that you have when you go to a restaurant, when you engage with the 'food' community and producers in wellington. Sarah said Wellington on a plate has not used anything like virtual reality before but we could use it more in the future . Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good way of educating people about a festival with a destination focus where half the challenge is getting them here. The key for us is what we do next to sustain the momentum. Sarah believes Eventually when it's cheaper to produce virtual reality it could be used to show
people about dining experiences and other events in wellington. It could be very useful for dining with sound and smells.
•
•
From this interview with Sarah I have learnt more about projects that virtual reality has been used in.
I decided to interview Sarah because she is the festivals manager so she would have a lot of knowledge about how Wellington on a plate set up the big virtual reality box in Auckland.
What challenges and issues does it pose for the future?
Challenges and issues Costs: Virtual reality technology is expensive. The cost of making hardware and software to use this technology is too much for educational institutes and businesses. Comfort: The equipment used to create a virtual reality environment is limited and uncomfortable for its users. The technology needs to be more convenient if it is to be used in a wide range of surgery.
Behaviour: The virtual reality games often include a lot of violence and there is a concern that users could become so used to violence that it affects their behaviour. They could become less caring about others. How long it takes: It will take about a year for the people programming the game to make the game and this includes finding and fixing the bugs which can take minutes to weeks to months. Limitations: It is limited to people with good eyesight because in some systems glasses are not allowed to be worn. Weight gain: This technology has been associated with weight gain because people do not leave their house. Cyber-Addiction: People could become addicted to virtual reality games and they mix up their real life with virtual life. Criminal acts within a virtual environment: It has not been decided if a person can be punished if they injure or cause mental stress to another person as a result of a violent action carried out in a virtual environment. Also can a virtual reality participant feel pain, distress or other emotions associated with a criminal ac â&#x20AC;˘
For researching this topic I have learnt that not all virtual reality worlds can safe under circumstances Â
Conclusion
In conclusion, my eyes have been opened to the challenges and issues surrounding virtual reality. When I started this investigation I believed it was going to be a straight forward process but it was more complex than I ever imagined. I now know how virtual reality is used today and the challenges like behaviour and attitudes, like killing in the real world because of playing video games and if you play them forever it becomes a natural instinct for you to kill, I was a bit frightened by that. There is also a positive side to virtual reality, like the big box In Auckland for wellington on a plate and kiven Sheehy's meet up group. This investigation has helped me to understand and stretch my level of knowledge. I believe that in the future virtual reality will be cheaper to use and will be available to everybody in every way.
Bibliography  Â
Gadgets-book Steve Parker
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/games/8029419/ Virtual-reality-helps-blast-away-stress http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/othergadgets/virtual-reality7.htm https://www.google.co.nz/#q=virtual+reality+definiti on http://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-realityapplications/index.html http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-theadvantages-of-virtual-reality.htm http://www.vrphobia.com/ http://virtualrealityjb.webs.com/disadvantages.htm http://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality/ethicalissues.html http://virtualrealitysource.blogspot.co.nz/2010/10/go ogle-chrome-advantages-and.html http://stoppress.co.nz/news/visa-wellington-plateoffers-virtual-reality-experience-lure-aucklanderscapital-heres-what-it-was http://stoppress.co.nz/tag/virtual-reality http://www.meetup.com/Wellington-VR-Oculus-RiftMeetup/messages/boards/thread/48763386 http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/smallbusiness/10369033/Investment-boost-for-small-virtualreality-firm Quote: more than just a meal- wellington on a pate
http://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality-military/combatsimulation.html
Year 6 Exhibition My Investigation Introduction Can you imagine a world where doctors can perform surgery in France but the patient is in New Zealand? Patients can be treated, overcome trauma without reliving it, handle dangerous goods without even touching them, and children can learn about space like they are really there. This is the future this is virtual reality. My group has been studying how advanced technology can provoke and challenge humankind. I have taken interest into virtual reality and my questions are: What is virtual reality? How is it used today? What challenges and issues does it pose for the future?
What is virtual reality?: Virtual reality is an artificial environment. When virtual reality is used it is presented to the user in a way that the user believes that it is a real environment. Virtual reality is usually experienced through two of the five senses: sight and sound. The simplest form of virtual reality is a 3-D computer game. It is usually made by moving a mouse or joystick so that the content of the image moves in some direction or zooms in or out. More sophisticated virtual reality involves such approaches as wraparound display screens, actual rooms made more real with wearable computers, and touch devices that let you feel the display images. Virtual reality can be used for : •
•
The training of pilots, police, medical professionals. The development of an imagined environment for a game or interactive story.
As virtual reality becomes more cost effective and accessible, I believe it will feature more in our day-today lives, not just in the specialist areas mentioned above. People and business are already starting to show what we can do with virtual reality technology.
How is it used today?
Military: Video games have been used by the US military to prevent and treat post-traumatic stress disorder. 'PTSD', or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, is a psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of a life-threatening events such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or physical or sexual assault in adult or childhood' ) From <https://www.google.co.nz/?gws_rd=ssl> ) this year the Canadian military is using virtual reality (vr) therapy. When the soldiers use the therapy it put he\she in the place that traumatised him\her. The therapy takes the person back to the place without getting he\she remembering the accident. (http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/games/8029419/ Virtual-reality-helps-blast-away-stress) Â Education: Children can learn with virtual reality. Using virtual reality, children can explore the topic they are investigating. This helps some kids that learn better visually with colour or symbols because it puts them in a 3-D environment with colours and symbols. Virtual reality in education also helps large groups of children interact with each other. In a 3-D world they can study objects in a different form. Healthcare: Healthcare has used virtual reality the most in the past years. It has been used for training surgeons, phobia treatment and etc. by using virtual reality people aren't at risk. Phobia treatment: virtual reality is used to treat phobias like a fear of flying and claustrophobia virtual reality is used to treat this.
Film: virtual reality is often used in science fiction films. The headset transports the main characters from reality to a virtual world inside a computer. This isn't like virtual reality today it is just a different version. Business: virtual reality is being used the business industry to give virtual tours, train employees and etc. using virtual reality in business is helpful epically with companies that handle dangerous products. Using the virtual reality employees won't be at risk or harm. Engineering: virtual reality in Engineering is used for 3D modelling of tools and layouts of plans. Virtual reality helps Engineering for making railway tracks and the design of cars. Virtual reality engineering is employed by balfour Beatty rail. Using Virtual reality to design cars is safer to test models. Sport: virtual reality is used in sport to train. Virtual reality in sport is used to measure the spotters performance. Virtual reality is used to design sports clothes and equipment. Virtual reality has also improved people experience of sporting events. In some games the virtual reality allows the user to become part of the game. Scientific Visualization: virtual reality in scientific visualization is allowing users to interact with pictures and is allowing them to see it at different angles. Virtual reality in scientific visualization is used in many sciences like physics, chemistry and more
Telecommunications: virtual reality in Telecommunications is used to contact. One of the challenges is tones of voice and movement. Telecommunication in virtual reality can also help in surgery simulation. Construction: virtual reality in construction is extremely useful for building the structure of a building. By using virtual reality the builder can estimate the price that it will cost to make the building. Using virtual reality in construction is better for safety because builders can build the construction and explore it. (http://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-‐reality-‐ applications/index.html) •
From researching this topic I found out most of the ways virtual reality can be used in the 21 century
I interviewed and emailed people who have used virtual reality in their business- Kevin Sheehy ( An organizer of a meet-up group in Wellington to create virtual reality simulations) and Sarah Meikle(festival director of Wellington On A Plate and virtual reality simulation in Auckland)
I emailed Kevin Sheehy- founder of a meet up group for virtual reality in Wellington Kevin Sheehy was always intrigued to see how people responded to the new amazing technology . He started a company with his business partner which develops VR simulations to explain scientific concepts such as how new medicines work to treat illness. The VR simulation can show any size of
treatment, from a life size robot to a Nano-scale molecule, and lets people experience it as though they were the same size as what’s going on in the body when these treatments are used. They did their first demo shows at the Malaghan Institute (a research institute in Wellington) and their aim was to help the body’s own immune cells recognise and destroy cancer cells to treat cancer. He thinks that this technology is so new that some ways of using it are very difficult and he would like people to share what they discover or develop, so that many Wellington based developers can be successful. He believes many minds are better than one when it comes to solving very complex problems such as developing large computer simulation programmes. Kevin believes that there are already a few businesses doing some very exciting new work and being able to sell their work internationally, this generates new jobs for people in Wellington. He says that there are always challenges with new technologies, and some of these are already recognised, such as, the simulators that can cause motions sickness (like car-sickness). Usually the Government sets up groups to look into any risk to people that new technologies can cause and internationally this is already happening. It is also possible that young children who’s eyesight hasn’t fully developed yet can have vision problems if they use VR goggles and that is why there is an age restriction on the use of the Goggles like Oculus Rift.
•
•
From this email from Kevin I have learnt more about how other people use virtual reality in their everyday life. I decided to email Kevin Sheehy because he has set up and is running a meet-up centre for people interested in making and using virtual reality.
I had an interview with Sarah Meikel- Wellington on a plate festival director Sarah Meikle says Visa Wellington On A Plate is a food festival. They worked together with Visa and an advertising company, Colenso, to target and encourage Auckland foodies to attend Visa Wellington On A Plate (VWOAP). They wanted Aucklanders to be inspired to find out more information, the challenge was -how do you bring life to something which, by its very nature truly has to be experienced in person?. Colenso proposed an idea of creating a virtual reality experience inside a big box. To create the big box idea, Sarah gave the filming crew locations that she wanted filmed and her job was to comment on the script. There are scenes around a bee hive and honey, the prison where you get handed a plate of fancy food, a green forest with birds, fern and fauna, downtown laneways, and last of all you get a great view of Wellington from Mt Victoria.
Development information:
The activation was built around a custom-made sensory experience; with 360 virtual reality scenarios for a 'multi-sensory explosion'. Central to this was the development of a completely immersive 3D video environment. This was developed using Oculus Rift technology that would be experienced through Samsung Gear VR goggles and headphones. The virtual reality video experience can be viewed in 2D athttps://visaentertainment.co.nz/feature/visavr. The clip was filmed in Wellington with a special 3D film. It took about 2-3 days to film and about 1 week to edit the 60 second clip. Consumers walked into the VWOAP space cube and sat down at a dining table. They placed the googles and headphone on and were immersed in an experience enlightening their visual, sound and smell (emitted in sequence to the video footage from a device on the dining table) senses. They chose virtual reality because they wanted to do something new that no other company in New Zealand had done before. We wanted to use film and we wanted to do something where we could engage the people who experienced it through their senses. Wellington on a plate chose virtual reality because they wanted to do something new that no other company in New Zealand had done before. They wanted to use film and wanted to do something where we could engage the people who experienced it through their senses. Sarah says they were sending the message - "Visa Wellington On A Plate: More than just a meal". Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the experience that you have when you go to a restaurant, when
you engage with the 'food' community and producers in wellington. Sarah said Wellington on a plate has not used anything like virtual reality before but we could use it more in the future . It’s a good way of educating people about a festival with a destination focus where half the challenge is getting them here. The key for us is what we do next to sustain the momentum. Sarah believes Eventually when it's cheaper to produce virtual reality it could be used to show people about dining experiences and other events in wellington. It could be very useful for dining with sound and smells.
•
•
From this interview with Sarah I have learnt more about projects that virtual reality has been used in.
I decided to interview Sarah because she is the festivals manager so she would have a lot of knowledge about how Wellington on a plate set up the big virtual reality box in Auckland.
What challenges and issues does it pose for the future?
Challenges and issues
Costs: Virtual reality technology is expensive. The cost of making hardware and software to use this technology is too much for educational institutes and businesses. Comfort: The equipment used to create a virtual reality environment is limited and uncomfortable for its users. The technology needs to be more convenient if it is to be used in a wide range of surgery. Behaviour: The virtual reality games often include a lot of violence and there is a concern that users could become so used to violence that it affects their behaviour. They could become less caring about others. How long it takes: It will take about a year for the people programming the game to make the game and this includes finding and fixing the bugs which can take minutes to weeks to months. Limitations: It is limited to people with good eyesight because in some systems glasses are not allowed to be worn. Weight gain: This technology has been associated with weight gain because people do not leave their house. Cyber-Addiction: People could become addicted to virtual reality games and they mix up their real life with virtual life.
Criminal acts within a virtual environment: It has not been decided if a person can be punished if they injure or cause mental stress to another person as a result of a violent action carried out in a virtual environment. Also can a virtual reality participant feel pain, distress or other emotions associated with a criminal ac â&#x20AC;˘
For researching this topic I have learnt that not all virtual reality worlds can safe under circumstances Â
Conclusion
In conclusion, my eyes have been opened to the challenges and issues surrounding virtual reality. When I started this investigation I believed it was going to be a straight forward process but it was more complex than I ever imagined. I now know how virtual reality is used today and the challenges like behaviour and attitudes, like killing in the real world because of playing video games and if you play them forever it becomes a natural instinct for you to kill, I was a bit frightened by that. There is also a positive side to virtual reality, like the big box In Auckland for wellington on a plate and kiven Sheehy's meet up group. This investigation has helped me to understand and stretch my level
of knowledge. I believe that in the future virtual reality will be cheaper to use and will be available to everybody in every way.
Bibliography  Â
Gadgets-book Steve Parker http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/games/8029419/ Virtual-reality-helps-blast-away-stress http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/othergadgets/virtual-reality7.htm https://www.google.co.nz/#q=virtual+reality+definiti on http://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-realityapplications/index.html http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-theadvantages-of-virtual-reality.htm http://www.vrphobia.com/ http://virtualrealityjb.webs.com/disadvantages.htm http://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality/ethicalissues.html http://virtualrealitysource.blogspot.co.nz/2010/10/go ogle-chrome-advantages-and.html
http://stoppress.co.nz/news/visa-wellington-plateoffers-virtual-reality-experience-lure-aucklanderscapital-heres-what-it-was http://stoppress.co.nz/tag/virtual-reality http://www.meetup.com/Wellington-VR-Oculus-RiftMeetup/messages/boards/thread/48763386 http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/smallbusiness/10369033/Investment-boost-for-small-virtualreality-firm Quote: more than just a meal- wellington on a plate http://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality-military/combatsimulation.html