Science View

The Leading Edge: Virtual Realities - The Latest in Gaming Tech (2018x19)

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Virtual Reality is a booming frontier in the vital video games sector of the Japanese economy. VR headsets precisely track the speed and direction of the wearer's movements, instantly updating the onscreen images and sound to immerse the wearer in a stunningly realistic 3D world. A new wristband controller brings the wearer's real-world hand movements into the virtual world. Low-level electric currents are being used to detect and trigger muscle contractions and nerve signals, letting the user really feel the weight of an onscreen object. VR can also be used to help teach challenging physical skills or for immersive sports training visualizations, like the feeling of a world record Usain Bolt 100-meter sprint. This episode explores the blossoming potential of VR tech.