Virtual Reality Technology (IEEE Press)
$80.00$99.99 (-20%)
Thorough overview of virtual reality technology fundamentals and latest advances, with coverage of hardware, software, human factors and applications, plus companion Laboratory Manual in Unity 3D.
The Third Edition of the first comprehensive technical book on the subject of virtual reality, Virtual Reality Technology, provides updated and expanded coverage of VR technology, including where it originated, how it has evolved, and where it is going. Its primary objective is to be a complete, up-to-date textbook, as well as a source of information on a rapidly developing field of science and technology with broad societal impact.
The two highly qualified authors cover all of the latest innovations and applications that are making virtual reality more important than ever before. Unlike other books on the subject, the book also includes a chapter on Human Factors, which are very important in designing technology around the human user.
Virtual Reality Technology provides Instructors with a website-accessible Laboratory Manual using the Unity 3D game engine and programming language. Unity 3D is the preferred VR language these days and will prepare the student for the VR gaming and mobile applications industry. For universities Unity 3D is cost-effective as its student license is freely available.
With comprehensive coverage of the subject, Virtual Reality Technology discusses sample topics such as:
Input and output interfaces, including holographic displays, foveated head-mounted displays, neural interfaces, haptic and olfactory feedbackComputing architecture, with emphasis on the rendering pipeline, the graphics processing unit and distributed/edge renderingObject modeling, including physical and behavioral aspects, Artificial Intelligence controlled characters, and model management techniquesProgramming toolkits for virtual reality and the game production pipelineHuman factors issues such as user performance and sensorial conflict, cybersickness and societal impact aspects of VRApplication examples in medical education, virtual rehabilitation, virtual heritage, gaming, and military use of virtual reality.
Virtual Reality Technology provides thorough and complete coverage of an in-demand sector of technology, making it a highly valuable resource for undergraduate and graduate students in computer science, engineering, and science, along with a variety of professionals across many different industries, including but not limited to engineering, gaming, healthcare, and defense.
Publisher : Wiley-IEEE Press
Publication date : September 11, 2024
Edition : 3rd
Language : English
Print length : 736 pages
ISBN-10 : 1118014804
ISBN-13 : 978-1118014806
Item Weight : 2.53 pounds
Dimensions : 6 x 1.56 x 9 inches
by Paul Richard
A reference book about history, techniques and applications of virtual reality
The first and second editions of “Virtual Reality Technology” (Grigore Burdea and Philippe Coiffet) haveestablished themselves as reference works for both teaching and research laboratories. Given the rapidevolution of this field over the last few years, a third edition was long overdue. This third edition has thepotential to attract a varied audience in many fields of application, including students, teachers and researchers interested in using and developing innovative projects based on immersive visualization and 3D interaction.Virtual Reality Technology (3rd edition) covers highly relevant topics such as input and output interfacesused in virtual reality, computer architecture dedicated to virtual reality, 3D object modeling, artificialintelligence-controlled characters, model management techniques, programming tools for virtual realityand the game production pipeline. Human factors and user performance issues, cybersickness and aspects of the societal impact of VR are also covered. Many applications in the fields of education, rehabilitation, video games and defense are cited and analyzed. The introductory chapter is highly relevant. Indeed, it traces the history of VR and goes back over the fundamental definitions of this technology, mentions the first systems, but also speculates on growth trends and the technology’s potential. Chapter 2 deals with input device aspects, systems and techniques used for motion capture. Next, systems developed for navigation and manipulation of virtual objects are described, analyzed and compared. The chapter concludes with a look at neural interfaces.Chapter 3 deals with graphics interfaces. It begins with a description of the human visual system, thenpresents the characteristics of the various virtual reality headsets and holographic displays. Chapter 4deals with other output interfaces, such as sound immersion devices, olfactory feedback systems andhaptic interfaces. Chapter 5 covers computer platforms and architectures specific to virtual reality systems. The various rendering pipelines are defined and compared, and the haptic pipeline is discussed. The chapter concludes with some very interesting aspects concerning distributed architectures and the use of networks and remote servers. Chapter 6 is dedicated to modeling and animation techniques. The authors explain the difference between the various modeling techniques, their use and advantages, including polygon-based models as well as the principles of physical modeling, behavioral modeling and model management. Chapter 7 deals with programming virtual reality applications. It offers excellent explanations of the main limitations, advantages and peculiarities of some of the programming languages in use today. Various development tools are presented and compared, while the stages of producing a videogame are discussed at length. Chapter 8 examines the fundamental aspects of human factors. It explains how experiments should be carried out. Some very interesting experiments are presented and analyzed. Fundamental aspects of health and safety are presented. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the social implications of virtual reality, and in particular the implications for professional and personal life. The final chapter is devoted to applications. It covers a wide range of applications in the medical field, education and vocational training. The military field is also covered, with the presentation of various infantry, aviation and naval simulators. To help professors use this textbook to teach Virtual Reality, the book has a Laboratory Manual (Unity 3D) and several sample lecture presentations (PPT). This book is undoubtedly an indispensable tool for students, researchers and professors working or wishing to work in the field of virtual reality. It traces the history of the field, presents its current state, and provides guidelines for researchers and developers of new projects. One of the most interesting and relatively uncovered coverage concerns neural interfaces, which may constitute the future of the fast-changing field.Dr Paul Richard, Associate Professor, University of Angers (France)