2.1 Early developments in AR/VR (1960s-1990s)
3 min read•august 7, 2024
The early days of AR and VR were marked by groundbreaking inventions. From the 's multisensory experience to the ' , pioneers pushed the boundaries of immersive tech. These innovations laid the foundation for modern virtual and .
Throughout the 1960s-1990s, researchers developed increasingly sophisticated systems. NASA's VIEW for astronaut training and the CAVE for room-scale VR showcased the technology's potential. Meanwhile, AR emerged as a way to blend virtual info with the real world, opening new possibilities.
Early VR Systems
Immersive Experiences
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- Sensorama created an immersive multisensory experience for users
- Developed by in 1962
- Provided 3D visuals, stereo sound, vibrations, and even smells to create a realistic experience
- Users watched short films while sitting in a vibrating chair with a viewing screen and vents for scents
- Headsight introduced head-mounted displays for immersive viewing
- Developed by in 1961
- Featured a head-mounted display with magnetic head tracking
- Allowed users to view a remote environment through a camera that moved with their head movements
Advanced VR Systems
- The Sword of Damocles was the first VR head-mounted display connected to a computer
- Created by in 1968
- Displayed simple that changed perspective based on the user's head movements
- The headset was so heavy it had to be suspended from the ceiling, hence the name "Sword of Damocles"
- (Virtual Interface Environment Workstation) was an advanced VR system for NASA training and research
- Developed by NASA in the 1980s
- Included a head-mounted display, for hand tracking, and
- Used for astronaut training, telerobotics control, and scientific visualization
Interactive VR Environments
Artificial Reality Spaces
- allowed users to interact with virtual objects and other users in a shared space
- Developed by in the 1970s and 1980s
- Used to track user movements and project their silhouettes onto a large screen
- Users could interact with virtual objects and each other's silhouettes in real-time
- coined the term "virtual reality" and explored its potential applications
- Book published by in 1989
- Lanier founded , one of the first companies to develop and sell VR products
- The book discussed the concept of virtual reality and its potential impact on various fields
Immersive VR Rooms
- CAVE () created in a room-sized space
- Developed at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1992
- Projected stereoscopic 3D images onto the walls, floor, and ceiling of a cube-shaped room
- Users wore 3D glasses and could move freely within the space, experiencing immersive VR without a headset
Emergence of AR
Augmenting the Real World
- Augmented Reality overlaid virtual information onto the real world, blending the two seamlessly
- Term coined by at Boeing in 1990
- AR systems used head-mounted displays or handheld devices to display virtual information
- Early applications included industrial and military training, medical visualization, and entertainment
- Key difference from VR: AR augments reality while VR replaces it with a completely virtual environment
Key Terms to Review (20)
3D audio: 3D audio refers to sound that is perceived as coming from various directions and distances, creating an immersive auditory experience that enhances realism in virtual environments. This technology allows sounds to be placed in a three-dimensional space, making users feel as though they are surrounded by sound rather than just hearing it from a specific location. It plays a crucial role in augmented and virtual reality experiences by providing depth and spatial awareness.
3D Wireframe Graphics: 3D wireframe graphics represent three-dimensional objects using a network of lines and vertices that define their shape. This graphical representation is fundamental in the development of both augmented and virtual reality technologies, serving as an essential step in visualizing complex structures before applying textures and colors. Wireframe models allow for easy manipulation of object geometry and facilitate a better understanding of spatial relationships within 3D environments.
Augmented Reality: Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information, such as images, sounds, and other sensory enhancements, onto the real world in real time. This fusion of digital and physical environments allows users to interact with virtual elements while still perceiving their actual surroundings, making AR distinct from other immersive technologies.
Cave Automatic Virtual Environment: A Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE) is an immersive virtual reality system that uses projections on walls, floor, and ceiling to create a 3D environment that users can interact with. This technology allows multiple users to experience and navigate virtual worlds collaboratively while being physically present in the space, making it a unique blend of augmented and virtual reality experiences. The CAVE provides a sense of scale and depth that enhances the user’s perception of virtual environments, making it an important development in the evolution of immersive technologies.
Computer vision: Computer vision is a field of artificial intelligence that enables machines to interpret and understand visual information from the world, allowing them to process images and videos similarly to how humans do. This technology plays a vital role in many applications, such as enhancing user experiences in augmented and virtual reality environments, enabling object recognition, and facilitating interactive interfaces.
Data Glove: A data glove is a wearable device that tracks hand movements and gestures, providing input to virtual and augmented reality systems. This technology allows users to interact with digital environments in a natural way, enhancing immersion and enabling precise control of virtual objects. Data gloves are significant because they combine sensors and software to capture finger movements, which can be translated into actions within a virtual space, contributing to the evolution of user interfaces in immersive experiences.
Head-mounted display: A head-mounted display (HMD) is a device worn on the head that provides a visual experience by displaying images directly in front of the user's eyes. This technology is crucial for creating immersive environments in augmented and virtual reality, as it allows users to interact with digital content in a way that feels natural and intuitive. HMDs typically include built-in sensors for tracking head movements, enhancing the realism of the experience by adjusting the visual output based on where the user is looking.
Immersive VR environments: Immersive VR environments are computer-generated simulations that create a sense of presence and engagement for users, making them feel as if they are truly inside a virtual space. These environments often utilize advanced technologies like head-mounted displays, spatial audio, and motion tracking to enhance the realism and interactivity, allowing users to experience and interact with the virtual world in a compelling way. The evolution of these environments can be traced back to early developments in AR and VR from the 1960s to the 1990s, when foundational technologies and concepts were first explored.
Ivan Sutherland: Ivan Sutherland is a pioneering computer scientist known as the father of computer graphics, credited with developing the first head-mounted display system for virtual reality in the 1960s. His work laid the foundation for modern AR and VR technologies, influencing the design of both hardware and software that are essential in these fields.
Jaron Lanier: Jaron Lanier is a computer scientist, virtual reality pioneer, and author, widely recognized for his contributions to the development and popularization of virtual reality technologies. He is known for his advocacy of ethical technology and the potential impact of digital environments on society. His work and ideas have significantly influenced the early developments in augmented and virtual reality during the late 20th century, as well as key advancements in AR/VR hardware and software.
Morton Heilig: Morton Heilig was an influential American filmmaker and pioneer in the field of virtual reality and augmented reality, particularly known for creating the Sensorama in the 1960s. This groundbreaking invention was a multi-sensory machine designed to immerse users in a simulated experience through sight, sound, smell, and touch, marking an early exploration into immersive technologies that would shape the future of AR and VR.
Myron Krueger: Myron Krueger is a pioneering figure in the field of virtual reality and augmented reality, known for his groundbreaking work in the 1960s and 1970s that laid the foundation for interactive computer graphics and virtual environments. He developed several influential projects, such as 'Videoplace,' which created a virtual space where users could interact with digital objects using their body movements, essentially merging physical and digital worlds.
NASA View: NASA View refers to a pioneering augmented reality (AR) system developed by NASA to enhance the visualization and interaction with complex scientific data, particularly in the context of space exploration and research. This innovative technology allows users to overlay digital information onto real-world environments, thereby enabling scientists, engineers, and the public to better understand and analyze spatial relationships and intricate data sets related to planetary science and astronomy.
Philco Corporation: Philco Corporation was an American company founded in 1892, known for its innovations in electronics and technology, particularly in the fields of radio and television. The company played a significant role in the development of early virtual and augmented reality technologies through its pioneering work in display systems and immersive experiences during the mid-20th century.
Sensorama: Sensorama is an early virtual reality device created in the 1960s by Morton Heilig, designed to provide a multi-sensory experience by simulating environments through visuals, sounds, vibrations, and even smells. This innovative machine was an important step in the evolution of immersive technology, combining film with tactile feedback to create an experience that engaged multiple senses simultaneously.
Sword of Damocles: The Sword of Damocles is a metaphor for the constant threat of impending danger, illustrating the precarious nature of power and privilege. This term is closely linked to early developments in augmented and virtual reality, especially as it reflects the inherent risks associated with technological advancements during this era, where promising innovations often came with significant challenges and uncertainties.
Tom Caudell: Tom Caudell is an American engineer known for his pioneering work in the field of augmented reality (AR), particularly in the 1990s. He is best recognized for coining the term 'augmented reality' while working at Boeing, where he developed a system that integrated virtual images into the real-world environment to aid in manufacturing and assembly processes. His contributions were crucial in laying the groundwork for later developments in AR technology.
Videoplace: Videoplace refers to an early form of augmented reality system developed in the 1980s that allowed users to interact with computer-generated graphics in real time while seeing themselves integrated into that virtual environment. This innovative approach created a new way to experience immersive environments by combining video input with computer graphics, paving the way for future developments in AR and VR technologies.
Virtual Reality: Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that can be similar to or completely different from the real world, achieved through technology that immerses users in a computer-generated environment. This immersive experience typically involves the use of headsets and sensors, allowing users to interact with the digital surroundings in a lifelike manner. VR plays a key role in understanding the distinctions and overlaps between augmented reality (AR) and itself, as well as the historical context of its development from early technological innovations.
VPL Research: VPL Research was a pioneering company in the field of virtual reality and artificial intelligence that played a crucial role in the development of early VR technologies during the late 20th century. Founded in 1984, VPL was instrumental in creating some of the first commercially available virtual reality systems, including the DataGlove and the EyePhone, which laid the groundwork for future innovations in immersive technology.