Quick Dips

Virtually Real

Victoria University's recent Open Day featured the only New Zealand copy of a new video game based on virtual-reality technology.

Virtual reality allows people to interact with simulated environments via three-dimensional, wrap-around visual displays, sound, and touch. Current systems equip people with special helmets and gloves, and movements of their heads and hands are translated to changes in the visual displays.

The Nintendo Super Glove Ball game, owned by John Hart, who is working on a thesis on virtual reality, allows the player to don a glove, and catch and throw a ball on a TV.

Future developments in virtual reality could include full-body suits to give all-over touch effects, as well as involving taste and smell sensations.