"Real And Virtual Pendulums Swing As One In Mixed Reality State."

This article found on the Science Daily website interested me and thought it would be worth while commenting on the content. It is not specifically directed at my project but is an overall view virtual environments and the real world it mimics.

The article briefly gives an example of technology that can mix reality state in a physical system. The University of Illinois created a virtual pendulum that can sense the motion of a real world one and began swinging as one.

"In a mixed reality state there is no clear boundary between the real system and the virtual system. The line blurs between what's real and what isn't."
said U. of I. physicist Alfred Hubler.

Hubler also goes on to say that virtual worlds are becoming more and more accurate depictions of the real world. There could come a point, a phase transition, where the boundary between reality and virtual reality disappears, And that could present problems.

From my experience in 3D computerised technology and the output that it creates I understand that it sometimes it is difficult and nearly impossible to tell if a picture is real or not. I believe this is a benefit to society however, one of these benefits are to learn.For example Flight & driving simulators that are real and 'mimic' the real world can indeed teach people skills and use their interaction as a means of learning how to use a car, boat, plane so forth.

A virtual historical reconstructed environment of Nottingham castle I believe will also benefit society and potentially be used in the Nottingham castle museum due to the model being as accurate as the material gained from it's history. As only a small amount of the medieval castle is present visitors may use this virtual environment as a 'step up' from the existing hand made model that is viewable in the museum.



The article can be found on this websitehttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310131511.htm