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What is virtual reality?

Virtual reality (VR) is an artificial three-dimensional environment created by state-of-the-art computer modeling technology. A person who uses VR interacts with a simulated environment through some combination of goggles, helmet, gloves, or bodysuit. The helmet or goggles contain a separate screen for each eye, creating a realistic "stereo" visual effect. Sensors in the equipment detect the user's movements and adjust the view on the screen accordingly. For instance, a user could "tour" a virtual building by moving, thus causing the view to shift and creating the effect of walking from room to room. A user can even "touch" virtual objects using special gloves that contain force-feedback devices.

Several different technologies are integrated into a virtual reality system, including holography, which uses lasers to create three-dimensional images; liquid crystal displays, which are displays of light...

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