Have we escaped the hype and death cycles that have plagued the history of virtual reality? In the last few years, as commercial virtual reality headsets and systems have become accessible, content developers, film festivals, and---most intriguing---galleries and museums are dipping their toes in the virtual pool.
By Jas Brooks, January 2019
The XRDS blog highlights a range of topics from conference coverage, to security and privacy, to CS theory. Selected blog posts, edited for print, are featured in every issue. Please visit xrds.acm.org/blog to read each post in its entirety. If you are interested in joining as a student blogger, please contact us.
By Andrew J. Hunsucker, April 2016
We have come a long way since the late 1970s, when virtual reality technology was in its infancy. With an array of new VR technologies in the market, what might be the future impact on our daily lives?
By Diego Martinez Plasencia, November 2015
Now that virtual reality headsets are finally reaching the wider consumer market, how can we merge the physical and virtual worlds to create a unified multi-sensory experience?
By Adalberto L. Simeone, Eduardo Velloso, November 2015
Leveraging the user's own muscles to simulate impact and forces from a virtual reality world allows us to create more immersive experiences without bulky equipment.
By Pedro Lopes, Alexandra Ion, Robert Kovacs, November 2015
Virtual reality users are torn between the real and virtual worlds. Determining how, and when, to show elements of reality in a virtual view is key to providing usable VR experiences.
By Daniel Boland, Mark McGill, November 2015
If the physical side effects associated with virtual reality are not managed, the widespread adoption of VR may come to a halt.
By Lisa Rebenitsch, November 2015
The next wave of virtual reality technology might turn to light field displays to solve a dizzying problem.
By Robert Konrad, November 2015
Virtual reality is helping rescue teams prepare for emergency situations in places they could never ordinarily go, like collapsed mines deep underground.
By Alain Boulay, November 2015
By Adrian Scoică, November 2015
By Andrea Stevenson Won, November 2015
By Adrian Scoică, December 2013
By Yanru Zhang, Michael Weiss, September 2003
By Ayman Ammoura, March 2001
By Christopher M. Smith, April 1997
Virtual Reality hype is becoming a large part of everyday life. This paper explores the components of actual virtual reality systems, critiquing each in terms of human factors. The hardware and software of visual, aural, and haptic input and feedback are considered. Technical and human factor difficulties are discussed and some potential solutions are offered.
By Lynellen D. S. Perry, Christopher M. Smith, Steven Yang, April 1997
