Virtual Reality

Abstract

Deception, in the broader sense intended here, illusion, through a whole series of side effects, and also the potential utility of the artificial, converge, in the end, in Virtual Reality technology. This technology consists of devices which generate three-dimensional moving pictures on a stereoscopic monitor applied in front of the eyes in a special helmet. It is an artificial environment in which it is possible to interact, for example, by virtually moving in a room or virtually exploring the human body from the inside. Although this technology has aroused the usual controversy between enthusiastic supporters and detractors who are afraid of the possible ‘loss of a sense of identity and reality’, some of the most interesting applications are once again in the field of medicine. Indeed, it is possible, by means of virtual reality machines, to visit a patient or operate on him (telesurgery) even though he is far away from the doctor. In 1995, the demonstration presented by the DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) biomedical program was oriented in this direction; this program consisted of carrying out a surgical procedure with a robot which acted on the command of doctors who ‘operated’ using a monitor many kilometers away from the patient. Thus, we have a chain of naturoids (the viewing of the patient’s body by means of telecameras and computers, the robot’s arms and hands which intervene on the physical reality of the patient) whose coordination presents several difficulties, including the transmission speed of the signals in both directions, which is most important.