Virtual Reality

Scientists have unveiled a new virtual reality (VR) immersive experience based on a novel system that captures and renders high-quality, realistic images from the real world using light fields.

Virtual reality technology gives high school students greater insight into what it's like to be someone with suspected mild cognitive impairment, or someone progressing through the continuum of Alzheimer's disease.

Your torso is more intuitive -- and more precise -- than joysticks for piloting drones, both simulated and real, according to a recent study. Work is already underway to implement this new body-machine-interface technology for search and rescue with drones.

Many designers for the virtual world find it challenging to design efficiently believable complex textures or patterns on a large scale. Indeed, so-called 'texture synthesis,' the design of accurate textures such as water ripples in a river, concrete walls, or patterns of leaves, remains a difficult task for artists. A plethora of non-stationary textures in the 'real world' could be re-created in gaming or virtual worlds, but the existing techniques are tedious and time-consuming.

A team of researchers built a web-based app called MapTrek. When synced with a Fitbit, MapTrek allows users to go on virtual walking tours of locations such as the Grand Canyon or Appalachian trail while competing against other users. A study showed MapTrek and Fitbit users averaged 2,200 more steps per day than a control group that used only Fitbits.

People experiencing Albert Einstein's body as their own through a virtual reality simulation were less likely to unconsciously stereotype older people, while those with low self-esteem scored better on a cognitive test. The results suggest that the experience allowed people with low self-esteem to change how they saw themselves and increase their cognitive potential. The technique could be useful for education, particularly for those with low self-esteem.

Initial testing on the next generation of mobile technology with the capability of delivering 100 times faster broadband has been successful, engineers have confirmed.

Scientists have developed new virtual reality (VR) cloud-based tools to help academics and industry progress new drugs, materials and boost the teaching of chemistry.