Virtual reality in science and technology

The article deals with virtual reality and its application in science and technology. It explains the origin of the term "virtual reality" and its meaning. The authors describe three kinds of virtual reality: the one using a helmet (with TV-screens and earphones) and gloves, another one with video cameras, and the last one with reproduction of a 3D image on a big curved screen. They give an insight into application of these technologies in design and testing of aircraft and cars, in medicine and pharmaceutics, in physicians and the military educating, in space industry. In conclusion the authors analyse some drawbacks of today's virtual reality (such as impossibility to transmit smell and taste) and further prospects of its development.

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