Virtual Reality (VR) is an advanced, human-computer interface that simulates a realistic environment. The participants can move around in the virtual world. They can see it from different angles, reach into it, grab it and reshape it. There is no little screen of symbols for manipulation nor commands to be entered to get the computer to do something.The term "virtual reality" is credited to Jaron Lanier, who was the founder of VPL Research. The term cyberspace was coined by William Gibson in his 1984 science fiction novel, Neuromancer. Cyperspace is thought of as the ultimate virtual reality environment. It is an alternative computer universe where data exists like cities of light. Information workers use a special virtual reality system to enter cyberspace and to travel its data highways. This gives them the experience of being physically free to go anywhere.Virtual reality feeds off a variety of fields. It is more a convergence of previously aisparate disciplines than a whole new branch of technology. Virtual reality involves electronic and mechanical engineering, cybernetics, database design, real-time and distributed systems, simulation, computer graphics, human engineering, stereoscope, human anatomy and, even, artificial life. The many challenges for creating virtual reality systems include: software, hardware, human factors and VR over high-speed networks.

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