Un entorno digital inmersivo es una escena "Cinemática (videojuegos)") o "mundo" artificial, interactivo y creado por computadora en el que un usuario puede sumergirse.[36]Los entornos digitales inmersivos podrían considerarse sinónimos de realidad virtual, pero sin la implicación de que se esté simulando la "realidad" real. Un entorno digital inmersivo podría ser un modelo de la realidad, pero también podría ser una completa interfaz de usuario de fantasía o una abstracción "Abstracción (filosofía)"), siempre que el usuario del entorno esté inmerso en él. La definición de inmersión es amplia y variable, pero aquí se supone que significa simplemente que el usuario se siente parte del " universo " simulado. El éxito con el que un entorno digital inmersivo puede realmente sumergir al usuario "Usuario (informática)") depende de muchos factores, como gráficos creíbles por computadora en 3D, sonido envolvente, entrada interactiva del usuario y otros factores como la simplicidad, la funcionalidad y el potencial de disfrute. Actualmente se están desarrollando nuevas tecnologías que pretenden aportar efectos ambientales realistas al entorno de los jugadores: efectos como el viento, la vibración del asiento y la iluminación ambiental.
Examples and applications
Training and rehearsal simulations run the gamut from part-task procedural training (often about buttons, for example: which button is pressed to deploy a refueling arm) to full-motion simulations that train pilots. or soldiers and law enforcement officers in scenarios that are too dangerous to train with real equipment using real ammunition. Video games from simple arcade to massively multiplayer online games and training programs such as flight and driving simulators. Entertainment environments such as motion simulators that immerse riders/players in a virtual digital environment enhanced by motion, visual and auditory cues. Reality simulators, like one from the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda that takes you on a journey through the jungle to meet a tribe of mountain gorillas. Or training versions such as the one that simulates a tour of the human arteries and heart to witness the accumulation of plaque and thus learn about cholesterol and health.[37].
In parallel with scientists, artists such as Knowbotic Research, Donna Cox, Rebecca Allen, Robbie Cooper, Maurice Benayoun, Char Davies and Jeffrey Shaw use the potential of immersive virtual reality to create physiological or symbolic experiences and situations. Other examples of immersive technology include the immersive physical environment/space with digital projections and surrounding sound, such as CAVE, and the use of virtual reality headsets for watching movies, with head tracking and computer control of the presented image, so that the viewer seems to be inside the scene. The next generation is VIRTSIM, which achieves full immersion through motion capture and wireless head-mounted displays for teams of up to thirteen immersive people, enabling natural movement through space and interaction in both virtual and physical space simultaneously.
New fields of studies linked to immersive virtual reality emerge every day. Researchers see great potential in virtual reality testing serving as complementary interview methods in psychiatric care.[38] Immersive virtual reality has also been used in studies as an educational tool in which visualization of psychotic states has been used to gain greater understanding of patients with similar symptoms. There are new treatment methods available for schizophrenia [39] and other recently developed research areas where immersive virtual reality is expected to improve: education on surgical procedures, [40] injury and surgical rehabilitation programs [41] and reduction of phantom limb pain.[42].
In the field of architectural design and building sciences, immersive virtual environments are adopted to facilitate architects and construction engineers to improve the design process by assimilating their sense of scale, depth, and spatial awareness. Such platforms integrate the use of virtual reality models and mixed reality technologies in various research functions in building sciences,[43] construction operations,[44] personnel training, end-user surveys, performance simulations[45] and building information modeling visualization.[46][47] Head-mounted displays (with 3 degrees of freedom and 6 degrees of freedom systems) and CAVE platforms are used for spatial visualization and navigation. Building information modeling (BIM) for different design and evaluation purposes. [48] Clients, architects and building owners use applications derived from game engines to navigate 1:1 scale BIM models, enabling a virtual walk-through experience of future buildings. [47] For such use cases, improved spatial navigation performance between virtual reality headsets and 2D desktop displays has been investigated in several studies, with some suggesting a significant improvement in virtual reality headsets [49] [50] while others indicate no significant difference. [51] [52] Architects and construction engineers can also use immersive design tools to model various building elements in reality CAD interfaces. [53] [54] and apply property modifications to building information modeling (BIM) files through such environments.[46] [55] In the building construction phase, immersive environments are used to improve site preparations, on-site communication and collaboration of team members, safety [56] [57] and logistics.[58] For training construction workers, virtual environments have proven to be very effective in transferring skills and studies show similar performance results to training in real environments. [59] Furthermore, virtual platforms are also used in the operation phase of buildings to interact and visualize data with Internet of Things (IoT) devices available in buildings, process improvement and also resource management. [60] [61].
Occupant and end-user studies are conducted through immersive environments. [62] [63] Virtual Immersive platforms engage future occupants in the building design process by providing a sense of presence to users by integrating pre-construction mockups and BIM models for evaluation of alternative design options in the building model in a timely and cost-effective manner. [64] Studies conducting human experiments have shown that users perform similarly in daily office activities (object identification, reading speed, and comprehension) within immersive virtual environments and tested physical environments. [62] In the field of lighting, virtual reality headsets have been used to investigate the influence of facade patterns on perceptual impressions and satisfaction of a simulated space with natural light.[65] Additionally, artificial lighting studies have implemented immersive virtual environments to evaluate the lighting preferences of end users of simulated virtual scenes with control of blinds and artificial lights in the virtual environment.[63].
For structural analysis and engineering, immersive environments allow the user to focus on structural investigations without being too distracted to operate and navigate the simulation tool.[66] Virtual and augmented reality applications have been designed for finite element analysis of shell structures. Using a "Stylus (computing)" stylus and data gloves as input devices, the user can create, modify meshes, and specify boundary conditions. For simple geometry, real-time color-coded results are obtained by changing the loads on the model.[67] Studies have used artificial neural networks (ANNs) or approximation methods to achieve real-time interaction of complex geometry and simulate its impact. using haptic gloves.[68] Large-scale structures and bridge simulation have also been achieved in immersive virtual environments. The user can move the loads acting on the bridge and the finite element analysis results are updated immediately using an approximate module.[69].