6. Simulation

A computer simulation is the use of the computer system to mimic a complicated activity in the real world such as driving a train or flying a plane.

A simulation will allow the user to input control signals, for example using a joystick to control a simulation of a plane flight. The signals are then processed by the system, which reacts to the signals by changing the display on the screen, for example, the plane starts to dive to the ground.

 

Click to watch examples of simulations
Flight Simulator	Seattle Earthquake	Tsunami Waves	Building Demolition	Space Simulation

 

 

Simulations are used for:

• to teach people skills in a safe environment.
  • You can learn to drive a train or fly a plane on a simulator without any danger to yourself, or anyone else.
  • In the video you can see how Torness nuclear power plant uses a simulated control room, which is identical to the real control room, to train its operators
• for games.

 

 

Training to avoid disasters! Click to Go Larger Screen

The video of Torness Power Station shows how using simulation can help train operators to avoid disasters.

In a similar way, the earthquake and tsunami simulations in the table above help people investigate what would happen in natural disasters.

These can help people develop plan that can reduce damage and numbers of casualties.

 

 

Virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual reality is a method of reproducing the outside world digitally within the computer system and displaying it to the user in such a way that they can interact with it in a wide range of situations

 

History of Virtual Reality! Click to Go Larger Screen

To take part in virtual reality users need:

1. Headset with earphones and goggles.
   
   
2. Data gloves with a range of pressure and touch sensors
   
   

Using these devices, the computer can control three of the five senses. Headsets can also track movement of the users eyes and change the view of picture in the goggles, so when the user moves their head, the picture moves too.

 

 

 

 

Who do you want to be today!

Some users are building complete virtual worlds. Google Second Life at home to see what you can find. Until then the movie below introduces some of the more fantastic possibilities available in in virtual reality.

 

 

Virtual Worlds Click to Go Larger Screen

 

 

On a more practical level, watch the videos below.

• One shows how shopping could be transformed in the 21st Century.
• Another shows a system which is being developed that allow users to move in the virtual world as they do in the real world. For example to move around a building or to play the ultimate shoot 'em up games.

 

 

 

 

 

What you have to do!

Either in a new Word Document or in your Brain. Under a sub heading Simulation and Virtual Reality complete the following tasks after watching each of the videos above:

1. How do virtual reality systems make the user feel as if they are actually
   inside the computer’s world?
2. Describe an example of a virtual reality system you watched in any of the video examples on this page.  
    

 

 

What you should now be able to do!

• Be able to give three advantages of using simulations of real world events..

• Describe Virtual Reality and give examples of where it could be used.

• Describe the hardware that is needed for total immersion in Virtual Reality

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Continue to 7. Controlling Automated Systems