http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/virtual_reality/ Virtual Reality Technology. From robo-patients and other work-related simulators to new virtual reality systems just for fun, find all the latest news here. en-us Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:05:01 EDT Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/virtual_reality/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902102538.htm A study recently published in ARVO's online Journal of Vision may inform the next generation of in-car driving assistance systems. New research finds that when drivers fix their gaze on specific targets placed strategically along a curve, their steering is smoother and more stable than it is in normal conditions. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902102538.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080813110802.htm Up to now virtual reality has proved cumbersome as a design tool, but European researchers are finalizing a system that brings ‘virtuality’ to the wider world. Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080813110802.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080814091053.htm Researchers have developed a series of very clever tools to break through the bottlenecks stalling the widespread adoption of virtual reality. But the compelling applications designed for the system are the real stars. Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080814091053.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080806140128.htm In 2006, two physics and astronomy professors spelled out how to exploit a quantum quirk to accomplish a feat long thought impossible, and now a research team has tested the theory, proving it correct. Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080806140128.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080716161557.htm A new virtual environment enables scientists and engineers to interpret raw data collected with powerful instruments called dynamic atomic force microscopes. This is part of a research trend, with tools for other applications also being developed. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080716161557.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080716115544.htm Multidetector CT using virtual gastroscopy and post contrast enhanced multiplanar reformation images can be useful in differentiating between malignant and benign gastric ulcers, according to a recent study. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080716115544.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714111413.htm Cymbals don't clash of their own accord -- in our world, anyway. But the quantum world is bizarrely different. Two metal plates, placed almost infinitesimally close together, spontaneously attract each other. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714111413.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080701113120.htm "TIGA," the new high-tech imaging center at the University of Heidelberg provides deep insights: a high-tech robot makes it possible for the first time to automatically reproduce and evaluate tissue slices only micromillimeters thick -- an important aid for researchers in understanding cancer or in following in detail the effect of treatment on cells and tissue. Sun, 06 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080701113120.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080619133111.htm The rapid convergence of social networks, mobile phones and global positioning technology has given engineers the ability to create something they call "virtual sticky notes," site-specific messages that people can leave for others to pick up on their mobile phones. Sat, 21 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080619133111.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080603092417.htm A team of London scientists have taken a major step in making the use of artificial veins and arteries in coronary bypass grafts a reality. Researchers have developed artificial graft tissue by combining man-made materials with human cells to make it elastic and durable and so it can attach to host tissue. Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080603092417.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515092622.htm Nanotechnology researchers have shown that they can use a red blood cell to calibrate a sensitive instrument, an atomic force microscope. An atomic force microscope uses a tiny lever that runs over the surface of an object. Small deflections of the tip are read and translated to produce an image of the object's surface. However, accurate calibration of the springiness of the tip is difficult. Fri, 16 May 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515092622.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080429170954.htm Researchers believe they can achieve a significant increase in the accuracy of one of the fundamental constants of nature by boosting an electron to an orbit as far as possible from the atomic nucleus that binds it. The experiment could put the modern theory of the atom to the most stringent tests yet. Thu, 01 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080429170954.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416212725.htm Over 77 million baby boomers will retire in the next 30 years, and robots are ready to assist with elder care. Engineers have created a robotic assistant that can recognize medical emergencies and call 911, remind clients to take their medication, help with grocery shopping and cleaning and allow retirees to communicate with loved ones. Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416212725.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416111607.htm From cars and mobile phones to computers and furniture, most of today's products are created virtually on a computer before they are actually produced. Researchers are adding new functionalities to digital product development. Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416111607.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080412174455.htm Imagine being able to take a step back in time and walk through the streets of ancient Pompeii hours before the eruption of Vesuvius. In April 2008, European researchers will demonstrate that walking through virtual environments is set to be a reality. In the virtual environment you have flight simulators, car simulators, but the most natural way of locomotion for humans is walking and this was practically impossible, according to the researchers. Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080412174455.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080401150755.htm Researchers have digitally reproduced music in a file nearly 1,000 times smaller than a regular mp3 file. The music, a 20-second clarinet solo, is encoded in less than a single kilobyte, and is made possible by two innovations: recreating in a computer both the real-world physics of a clarinet and the physics of a clarinet player. Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080401150755.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310131511.htm Using a virtual pendulum and its real-world counterpart, scientists have created the first mixed reality state in a physical system. Through bidirectional instantaneous coupling, each pendulum "sensed" the other, their motions became correlated, and the two began swinging as one. Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310131511.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080305104905.htm Scientists have shown that just listening to a cell phone while driving is a significant distraction, and it causes drivers to commit some of the same types of driving errors that can occur under the influence of alcohol. Brain imaging reveals drivers are distracted even if they don't talk. Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080305104905.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080226092749.htm Overtaking on two-lane roads is easier if drivers use what is known as an overtaking assistant, a system which indicates when it is safe to overtake. This system prevents reckless drivers overtaking when it is not safe, and can also aid cautious drivers in overtaking slower vehicles. This is the proposition of young researcher. Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080226092749.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080215151157.htm A panel of maverick thinkers, convened by the National Academy of Engineering, has identified what they consider to be the greatest technological research challenges facing society in the coming century. Panel member Rob Socolow of Princeton University expands upon the NAE Grand Challenges project and the role that technological innovation plays in a vibrant society. Tue, 19 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080215151157.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080208085227.htm With the aid of computerized image analysis, it may be possible in the future for radiologists to feel images with the help of a three-dimensional mouse. The new technology should make it easier to diagnose and plan the treatment of cancer, and other diseases. Computerized image analysis can be used to determine the size of organs like the liver, or to construct three-dimensional models of organs when surgery or radiation is being planned. The quality of these images often varies, however - what's more we humans can actually look very different from each other inside, which makes it difficult for the computer to find the information that is relevant fully automatically. Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080208085227.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080207101325.htm A new surgical robot is making medical undergraduates three times more accurate during practice hip operations, according to pilot study. Inexperienced surgeons often face a steep learning curve to gain the experience necessary to carry out hip resurfacing operations. Until now, this has only been gained through repeatedly performing the operations. This can cause problems because if hip bones are repaired incorrectly wear and tear occurs, requiring patients to undergo further painful and expensive corrective operations. Wed, 13 Feb 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080207101325.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080206161559.htm Up to now, most learning focused on abstract symbolic knowledge like writing, or passive receptive iconic knowledge through images. But there is a third kind, 'enactive' knowledge, or learning by doing. It is the information we acquire using our whole bodies, and it is a new paradigm in IT-assisted education. Learning by doing, or by 'enaction', started at the dawn of humanity itself, from the time the first proto-human discovered that a bone could become a tool. But it is a practice that has become marginalized in developed societies, as convenience and, increasingly, technology lure people away from craftwork and physical labor. Thu, 07 Feb 2008 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080206161559.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080130185654.htm A free, downloadable training program developed teaches teen-age drivers how, when and where to anticipate and avoid potentially fatal traffic hazards. It's called a "Risk Awareness and Perception Training (RAPT) Program" and all the training is done on a personal computer. Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080130185654.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080117125636.htm Achieving superhuman vision like the Bionic Woman's could be as easy as popping in a contact lens. Engineers have for the first time combined a flexible, biologically safe contact lens with an imprinted electronic circuit and lights. Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080117125636.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080112075714.htm Researchers are developing a tool that will allow doctors to easily evaluate the degree and type of the tremors caused in the upper limbs by some neurological disorders. The DIMETER system makes it easier for doctors and other health professionals to objectively evaluate the tremors exhibited in the hands and fingers of patients affected by some disorders that impair their motor skills, such as Parkinson, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Tue, 15 Jan 2008 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080112075714.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071204121938.htm Robotics engineers and doctors are developing a PC-based system for stroke rehabilitation. Sixteen patients are testing a prototype system. They use joysticks to move objects on a computer screen. Using force-feedback technology, the joystick resists moves in the wrong direction and guides patients along the right path. Researchers hope to refine the system to allow stroke patients to recover more quickly. Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071204121938.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071126162542.htm A surgeon accidentally kills a patient, undoes the error, and starts over again. Can mathematics make such science fiction a reality? Virtual surgery is rapidly approaching, say mathematicians who are helping to make virtual surgery a viable technology that will save lives. Mon, 26 Nov 2007 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071126162542.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071116094807.htm Scientists will demonstrate how improved control techniques can reduce the risk of aircraft crashes. The demonstration involves reconstructing troubled flights -- such as the El Al flight which crashed in the Bijlmer area of Amsterdam in 1992 -- in a flight simulator and adding the newly developed technology. Sun, 25 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071116094807.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071115121131.htm The way objects appear to stream by us as we move through the world is a phenomenon called optic flow. Think of the street signs and storefronts that sail across the car windshield as we drive. That's optic flow in action. Cognitive scientists have now shown that optic flow plays a critical role in continuously recalibrating our steps as we walk. Fri, 16 Nov 2007 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071115121131.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071012084124.htm Software for a robotic extension of existing NASA technology for remote operations on the International Space Station has been shown to improve astronauts' performance on high-precision tasks. Using graphical overlay information, researchers were able to achieve significant results in efficiency and accuracy. The new technology can be added to existing flight hardware. Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071012084124.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070913081044.htm A revolutionary unobtrusive sensor that collects and immediately transmits data from the human body could boost an athlete's sporting success in future. Cufflink-sized and clipped behind the wearer's ear, the sensor is unique in two key respects. First, it does not hinder performance, yet can gather unprecedentedly wide-ranging and useful data about posture, stride length, step frequency, acceleration, response to shock waves travelling through the body etc. Second, when worn by an athlete during training, it can transmit the information for immediate visual display on a handheld device or laptop used by their coach at the trackside. Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070913081044.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070917173133.htm A preliminary study suggests that patients with cancer in the head and neck region may have inferior performance in some driving skills compared with individuals without the disease, according to a new article. Tue, 18 Sep 2007 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070917173133.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070914085245.htm Ever had gum stuck in your hair? Easy-to-remove chewing gum is to become a reality, thanks to a technological break-through. 'Clean Gum' can be easily removed from shoes, clothes, pavements and hair. Preliminary results also indicate that the gum will degrade naturally in water. Initial street trials on pavements show the leading commercial gums remained stuck to the pavements three out of four times. In all tests the Clean Gum was removed within 24 hours by natural events. Sun, 16 Sep 2007 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070914085245.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070909214527.htm Is the navigation system too complex? Does it distract the driver's attention from the traffic? To test electronic assistants, their developers have to build numerous prototypes -- an expensive and time-consuming business. Tests in a virtual world make prototypes unnecessary. The engineer stares intently at the display on the virtual dashboard. His task is to test the new driver assistance system from the user's perspective. How seriously does it distract a driver to listen to a text message while negotiating a roundabout? Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070909214527.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070823122253.htm Engineers at the University of California, San Diego have constructed the highest-resolution computer display in the world -- with a screen resolution up to 220 million pixels. The system located at the UCSD division of the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (Calit2) is also linked via optical fiber to Calit2's building at UC Irvine, which boasts the previous record holder. The combination -- known as the Highly Interactive Parallelized Display Space (HIPerSpace) -- can deliver real-time rendered graphics simultaneously across 420 million pixels to audiences in Irvine and San Diego. Mon, 27 Aug 2007 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070823122253.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070809172142.htm Computer scientists developed a new way to simulate and display complex situations very quickly. The algorithm made its high-profile debut this summer when the ESPN sports network used it to show air flowing over racing cars in its NASCAR coverage. Fri, 10 Aug 2007 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070809172142.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070725112652.htm Learner drivers are being invited to test how good -- or bad -- they are at spotting potential hazards on the road, through using the very latest driving simulator. New drivers are involved in a disproportionately high number of accidents in the UK, and research suggests one factor might be the way they react when potential hazards appear on the road. One of the main differences between novice and experienced drivers is that novices tend to want to look either straight ahead, or down at the dashboard, while experienced drivers pay much more attention to their surroundings rather than their own car. Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070725112652.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070628073055.htm Researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are developing a physics-based virtual model that can simulate a patient's breathing in real time. When used in conjunction with existing 3-D models, adding the fourth dimension of time could significantly improve the accuracy and effectiveness of radiation treatment for lung and liver cancers. Sat, 30 Jun 2007 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070628073055.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070620085254.htm Firstly, what is "Haptics"? This term means "of or relating to the sense of touch." Haptic technology, or haptics, refers to the technology that connects the user to a computerized system via the sense of touch by applying forces, vibrations and/or motions to the user. Fri, 22 Jun 2007 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070620085254.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070614082046.htm What's nerdier than creating an online avatar that fights dragons and raids strongholds? Creating a virtual pendulum that you can sync up to your real-life pendulum. Leave it to physicists to do just that, resulting in a mixed reality state in which the two pendulums swing as one. Mon, 18 Jun 2007 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070614082046.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070612152446.htm Engineers at Purdue University are developing robots able to make "educated guesses" about what lies ahead as they traverse unfamiliar surroundings, reducing the amount of time it takes to successfully navigate those environments. The method works by using a new software algorithm that enables a robot to create partial maps as it travels through an environment for the first time. The robot refers to this partial map to predict what lies ahead. Wed, 13 Jun 2007 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070612152446.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070611092847.htm Rome's Mayor Walter Veltroni will officiate at the first public viewing of "Rome Reborn 1.0," a 10-year project to use advanced technology to digitally rebuild ancient Rome. An international team of archaeologists, architects and computer specialists employed the same high-tech tools used for simulating contemporary cities such as laser scanners and virtual reality to build the biggest, most complete simulation of an historic city ever created. Mon, 11 Jun 2007 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070611092847.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070606113401.htm The UCF research team is developing an hourlong interactive simulation of a wildfire. Participants will decide whether or not to invest in prescribed burns and fire insurance over a 30-year span. Each decision leads to different consequences, and researchers hope seeing the impact of wildfires will encourage participants to support prescribed burning and other fire prevention methods. This technology could be used later for other topics, such as hurricanes. Fri, 08 Jun 2007 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070606113401.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070606235422.htm Robots that perform surgery can be driven by surgeons who no longer stand by the patient, but direct the operation from a computer console. In most cases the surgeon is seated at a console within the theatre, only a few metres away from the patient. Now a team of surgeons and scientists have shown that the surgeon and robot can be linked via a 4,000 mile Internet connection, or by satellite. Thu, 07 Jun 2007 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070606235422.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070531102336.htm It will huff, and puff, and blow the house in -- but only for research purposes. Wind engineers just unveiled the world's largest portable hurricane wind and rain simulator. Civil and coastal engineers plan to use the simulator to blast vacant homes with winds of up to 130 mph -- Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale -- and high-pressure water jets that mimic wind-driven torrential rain. Fri, 01 Jun 2007 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070531102336.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070531145609.htm Scientists have demonstrated in the laboratory that the Casimir force -- the small attractive force that acts between two close parallel uncharged conducting plates -- can be changed using a beam of light, making the remote operation of micromachines a possibility. Thu, 31 May 2007 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070531145609.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070530082744.htm The dynamics of a beating heart, the turbulence surrounding the fuselage of an airplane, or the field of forces inside a molecule. All of these things can be felt, not only seen, with a new visualization technology. Today's powerful computers have opened previously unimagined possibilities regarding the presentation and analysis of scientific data. Wed, 30 May 2007 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070530082744.htm