This volume brings together a number of the leading practitioners and exponents in the field of virtual reality (VR), and explores some of the main issues in the area and its associated hardware and software technology. The main components of the current generation of virtual reality systems are outlined, and major developments of VR systems are discussed.* SPECIAL FEATURES* This volume brings together some of the leading practitioners and exponents in the field of VR, and explores some of the main issues in the area and its associated hardware and software technology.* The main components of the current generation of cirtual reality systems are outlined, and major developments of Vr systems are discussed, focussing of key areas such as hardware, software, techniques, application interfaces and ethical issues.* The book contains a comprehensive bibliography enabling the reader to follow up particular areas of specialism. It contains 16 pages of colour plates.

This sweeping introduction to the science of virtual environment technology masterfully integrates research and practical applications culled from a range of disciplines, including psychology, engineering, and computer science. With contributions from the field's foremost researchers and theorists, the book focuses in particular on how virtual technology and interface design can better accommodate human cognitive, motor, and perceptual capabilities. Throughout, it brings the reader up-to-date with the latest design strategies and cutting-edge virtual environments, and points to promising avenues for future development. The book is divided into three parts. The first part introduces the reader to the subject by defining basic terms, identifying key components of the virtual environment, and reviewing the origins and elements of virtual environments. The second part focuses of current technologies used to present visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic information. The book concludes with an in-depth analysis of how environments and human perception are integrated to create effective virtual systems. Comprehensive and splendidly written, Virtual Environments and Advanced Interface Design will be the "bible" on the subject for years to come. Students and researchers in computer science, psychology, and cognitive science will all want to have a copy on their shelves.

This completely revised edition, of the Handbook of Human-Computer Interaction, of which 80% of the content is new, reflects the developments in the field since the publication of the first edition in 1988. The handbook is concerned with principles for design of the Human-Computer Interface, and has both academic and practical purposes. It is intended to summarize the research and provide recommendations for how the information can be used by designers of computer systems. The volume may also be used as a reference for teaching and research. Professionals who are involved in design of HCI will find this volume indispensable, including: computer scientists, cognitive scientists, experimental psychologists, human factors professionals, interface designers, systems engineers, managers and executives working with systems development. Much of the information in the handbook may also be generalized to apply to areas outside the traditional field of HCI.

This work contains the state-of-the-art in Virtual Reality as applied to Medicine. Interactive technology, used in many research and development programs, can be applied to health care by involving: robotics, computer vision, simulation, artificial intelligence, image manipulation and storage, data gloves, man-machine interfaces, etc. The Health Telematics Application Program, for example, is advancing virtual reality and enabling technologies (simulation, visualization and robotics) in health care services for patients, the elderly and persons with disabilities. This book addresses the following items from the end-user's perspective: technology transfer, telerobotics, telemedicine, education and training, and virtual reality. 'the book would (...) be useful for those researching interactive technologies in health care, especially virtual reality (...). It would be also of interest to people who want to keep abreast of the latest developments in techno-medical research.' - Rod Elford, Telemedicine Centre, Memorial University St John's, Newfoundland, Canada Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, volume 2, no. 3, 1996, p. 178 Covered by Current Contents, Life Sciences (ISI), volume 38, no. 34, August 1995, p. 11-13