Video: Researchers learning to make VR more realistic, uncomfortable
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted May 11th 2009 12:27PM
posted May 11th 2009 12:27PM
Researcher Mel Slater (a computer scientist who divides his time between ICREA in Barcelona and University College, London) and his stalwart band of cybernauts are currently studying people when immersed in virtual environments, hoping to gain insight into why we respond to fake stimuli as if it's real. In one experiment, test subjects enter a "virtual bar" in which patrons schmooze, booze, and do the Frug. At a point during the virtual carousing, a fire breaks out. "We have had people literally run out of the VR room, even though they know that what they are witnessing is not real," says Slater. "They take their cues from the other characters." Other studies include a recreation of the classic Milgram Experiment of the 1960s (where the subject is ordered to give an electric shock to a "student" when they answer a question incorrectly) and a phobia study that introduces subjects to virtual heights. The researchers hope to gain insight into how the brain functions, eventually creating more intense and realistic virtual experiences, with applications in healthcare, training, social research and entertainment. What's next? According to Slater, the group is currently developing a project that is designed to help shy men overcome their fear of women (at the very least, it'll help you meet that Second Life avatar of your dreams). If this is your kinda thing, check out the video after the break. [Warning: the first several seconds of the video are audio only.]
Does anyone else think that mentioning "help[ing] shy men overcome their fear of women" as a next step is hilarious? A little self-serving, perhaps?
I think every Engadget poster's prayers have been answered.
If she doesn't know the difference between the Chicago Cubs and Bears, the date is SO off.
Yea, that's absolutely ridiculous. And hilarious. And...well, lot's of things...
"I thought you said that it wasnt real ?"
"You mind makes it real"
I can see the future of pickup lines. Verbal ways of saying "H3y l3ts f*ck" will be the thing to do. I would hope that virtual women are no where near how real women react.....
So do I take the Red pill or the Blue one?
And they wonder why Skynet got pissed in the first place.
Heres your reason.
Hey cool my uni is mentioned here. I'm actually currently in the MSc Vision, Imaging and Virtual Environments degree at UCL, and can assure you people that Mel Slater is a stand-up guy. But really he's barely around... I think he spends most of his time in Barcelona.
...and Spanish students think he spends most of his time at UCL. But he's really in the VR room overcoming his fear of women.
how long until they port the cry2 engine to VR
Why does he torment her so?