Many philosophers debate the topic of reality, and the components that make up what we perceive to be \u201creal\u201d. Although an interesting mental exercise, we\u2019re more interested in the practical applications of reality today, which is more accurately defined as \u201crealism\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Le r\u00e9alisme est d\u00e9fini comme la repr\u00e9sentation d'une personne, d'une chose ou d'une situation avec pr\u00e9cision ou d'une mani\u00e8re fid\u00e8le \u00e0 la vie. Dans cet article, nous cherchons \u00e0 comprendre dans quelle mesure cette d\u00e9finition du r\u00e9alisme peut \u00eatre connue dans un environnement compl\u00e8tement simul\u00e9 utilisant la technologie de r\u00e9alit\u00e9 virtuelle, et comment cela impacte notre monde. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To understand the importance of realism in virtual reality, we must first look to what the technology is trying to achieve\u2014 a simulation. A simulation is defined as an approximate imitation of the operation of a process or system. There\u2019s an important distinction in that definition, which is to mimic the operation of something rather than just the thing itself. A simulation is a place of action; and that intent is what separates a simulation from a static learning tool such as text, video, or presentations. Ultimately, a simulation bridges the gap between knowledge and high performing actions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Traditionally, a simulation would be run \u201clive\u201d in a simulated physical space. History tells us that live simulations have been used as a learning tool for centuries, dating back to clay and stone models being used to understand the anatomy of a person. In more modern applications, simulations have been used to train students and professionals to assist in learning\u2014for example a medical student may practice in a room dressed up as an operating theatre, or they could be taken a step further and practice on-site in an actual operating theatre (also known as in-situ or in-situation) which was considered to have a higher degree of realism. The objects within that environment also benefit from being as real as possible, which could mean the difference between using mannequins or a paid actor to simulate a patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Simulations have more recently found a new environment in which to model themselves, known as \u201cvirtual\u201d, where one would experience the imitation synthetically. Thanks to computer technology, virtual simulations have been able to imitate an operation without the need of costly physical environments and the challenging logistics of getting people to them. Virtual Reality (VR) specifically refers to synthetic imitations presented inside of a special headset, which enhances the immersion of a synthetic environment further by assuming the user\u2019s entire field of vision rather than just on a two dimensional screen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Les casques VR sont utilis\u00e9s commercialement par des organisations telles que la NASA depuis des d\u00e9cennies d\u00e9j\u00e0, et \u00e0 mesure que le co\u00fbt de production diminuait, la technologie est devenue plus viable pour l'achat par les consommateurs. De plus, la puissance de traitement du mat\u00e9riel utilis\u00e9 pour ex\u00e9cuter des casques de r\u00e9alit\u00e9 virtuelle a conduit \u00e0 des simulations plus r\u00e9alistes. Cependant, dans quelle mesure le r\u00e9alisme impacte-t-il l'efficacit\u00e9 d'une simulation, notamment en situation d'entra\u00eenement ? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To understand the efficacy of realism, we must look at a key variable that defines the perceived realism\u2014fidelity. Fidelity refers to how closely a simulation imitates or amplifies reality. The overall goal of high-fidelity simulations is to improve the performance of an action, or what a person actually does (rather than thinks). In 1990, Miller (1990) indicated that this action is built upon a person\u2019s knowledge, competence, and performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Generally speaking, a low fidelity simulation is good for building upon knowledge – it won\u2019t feel real, but it will outline the basics and theory well enough. Medium fidelity is used to build competence through greater interaction, then high fidelity is where high performance action occurs. This model of traditional Fidelity can be viewed as a pyramid. Without the base level of knowledge, you can\u2019t reach the top level of action. As you begin to improve your knowledge, competence, and performance, the action level of fidelity in a simulated environment increases too, agnostic of how the environment is actually presented. For example, the fidelity of a commercial flight simulator will be different for someone with no knowledge of aviation in comparison to someone who has spent years studying the theory. How will the person with little knowledge be able to know if the simulation is high-fidelity or not, if they don\u2019t understand what to look for? Therefore, to some extent the concept of fidelity is subjective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This can be understood at a deeper level by examining the different components that make up fidelity, over and above the person experiencing it. At a conceptual level, the scenario at hand needs to make sense. For example, you would expect a flight simulator to have a high degree of conceptual fidelity if it flies through the air, rather than through Walmart. Physically, the simulation needs to reflect the actual physical properties of the real environment. The flight simulator wouldn\u2019t have a high degree of physical fidelity if it used carrots for the levers. Emotionally, the simulation should try to capture the same feelings one would expect in the real environment. For example, a simulated emergency in the cockpit of a plane should feel naturally urgent to deal with, rather than casual and boring. New technology such as heart-rate monitors built into wearable devices have made it easier to test for emotional response, helping simulators find better ways to increase the degree of emotional fidelity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cependant, ce niveau de compr\u00e9hension va encore plus loin dans le contexte des simulations de r\u00e9alit\u00e9 virtuelle. Il y a une consid\u00e9ration importante lorsqu'il s'agit d'\u00e9valuer la fid\u00e9lit\u00e9 dans un environnement de r\u00e9alit\u00e9 virtuelle, en particulier en ce qui concerne les simulations de formation. Stone (2011) a d\u00e9couvert que l'id\u00e9e fausse \u00e9tait que les progr\u00e8s technologiques conduisent \u00e0 de meilleurs environnements de formation. Stone et son \u00e9quipe de technologies d'interface humaine ont d\u00e9couvert que cela est beaucoup moins important que le concept de conception centr\u00e9e sur l'humain. Lorsque l'objectif est de maximiser le transfert de t\u00e2ches, de connaissances, de comp\u00e9tences et de comportements simul\u00e9s vers des applications du monde r\u00e9el\u00a0; la fid\u00e9lit\u00e9 psychologique est la cl\u00e9. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
La fid\u00e9lit\u00e9 psychologique est le degr\u00e9 auquel les t\u00e2ches simul\u00e9es peuvent reproduire les comportements requis par les applications du monde r\u00e9el. Ceci, dans une certaine mesure, combine les id\u00e9es traditionnelles de fid\u00e9lit\u00e9 conceptuelle, physique et \u00e9motionnelle telles que d\u00e9crites\u00a0; bien qu'en g\u00e9n\u00e9ral, on consid\u00e8re la fid\u00e9lit\u00e9 dans ce contexte comme une combinaison de fid\u00e9lit\u00e9 physique et psychologique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is through this definition that it also becomes obvious that pure technological advances aren\u2019t a large part of that equation, but rather the technical advances make it more accessible and viable. The major drawback of new interfaces such as virtual reality is that of a human experience nature. Think back to the first few years of websites\u2014every site was completely different with walls of text, hidden links, strange navigations, and unique layouts. It wasn\u2019t until many years later that a standardized experience began to take shape that was more natural to the user, taking advantage of modern design principles, content structures, and human behaviour to deliver a seamless experience. Virtual reality is still in the early stages of exploring the best user interface, however it is far more complicated due to the additional dimension. It\u2019s one thing to master the interface of a 2D screen with basic inputs, but quite another in a 3D environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stone a d\u00e9compos\u00e9 davantage le concept de fid\u00e9lit\u00e9 pour les simulations de r\u00e9alit\u00e9 virtuelle, comme suit\u00a0:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interestingly, many end-users already have a concept of fidelity in their head before entering a training simulation, a baseline of expectations based on what they\u2019ve seen in other applications such as gaming and military applications. Now the complex web of what makes up a \u201chigh fidelity\u201d training simulation begins to reveal itself. We know that at the highest level, the end-user needs a basic knowledge of the system and also a certain level of competence before reaching high-performance actions. However, simulations run in virtual reality require a balance of contextual sensory and behavioural details alongside realistic input characteristics; while catering to the potential expectation gap a user may have before entering the simulation. This is all impacted further by the challenges virtual reality face with regards to seamless interfaces that are not yet standardized or widely understood by users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, if a virtual reality simulation can have a high degree of psychological and physical fidelity, then it can be considered to be more realistic\u2014assuming the user already has some knowledge and competence to be able to perceive it that way to begin with. However, this is all qualified by the ability for humans to actually use it, an idea often called human-centered design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maintenant que nous comprenons la composition plus large du r\u00e9alisme dans une simulation, nous pouvons l'utiliser \u00e0 notre avantage dans les applications de r\u00e9alit\u00e9 virtuelle. Par exemple, la plate-forme de formation chirurgicale Precision OS est con\u00e7ue pour utiliser des moteurs graphiques modernes pour imiter l'environnement physique, y compris les d\u00e9tails sensoriels et comportementaux tels que les outils, l'\u00e9clairage et les machines avec un degr\u00e9 \u00e9lev\u00e9 de fid\u00e9lit\u00e9 physique. Le patient sur la table d'op\u00e9ration est configur\u00e9 pour montrer les sympt\u00f4mes qui n\u00e9cessitent une proc\u00e9dure donn\u00e9e, en veillant \u00e0 ce que la repr\u00e9sentation soit \u00e9quilibr\u00e9e pour \u00e9viter l'hypo- ou l'hyper-fid\u00e9lit\u00e9. Les commandes manuelles sont configur\u00e9es pour ressembler davantage aux outils chirurgicaux courants d'une proc\u00e9dure, visant une plus grande fid\u00e9lit\u00e9 de la technologie interactive. Enfin, la proc\u00e9dure simul\u00e9e est guid\u00e9e en temps r\u00e9el avec des commentaires et un mentorat, \u00e0 la fois visuels et audio pour simuler l'environnement psychologique comme s'il s'agissait d'une formation avec un chirurgien senior. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students or staff have already completed many years of medical school which includes traditional learning tools and simulations, so they have a high degree of knowledge and competence. Therefore, a realistic virtual environment can help them train for advanced skillsets and enhanced confidence without having to practice on real patients\u2014which can be both costly to the trainee, the patient, their family, and the hospital; not to mention challenging to find appropriate training patients and matching them with trainees on a repeating basis. \u00c0 un niveau plus large, cela signifie en fin de compte de meilleurs chirurgiens et un taux de r\u00e9ussite plus \u00e9lev\u00e9 pour les patients. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The future of realism in virtual reality looks promising. Already, we\u2019ve seen physical feedback in VR hand controllers which has been proven to enhance the perception of interactive technology fidelity (Hoffman, 2011), and this technology is expanding to full haptic-feedback suits. As other fields of technology such as biotech begin to crossover with virtual reality, we\u2019ll see even more integration and immersion. For example, the user may be able to control their virtual environment using just their thoughts, or be able to connect sensors directly to nerve endings for realistic feedback. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As the technology improves, so too does the perceived realism of our virtual environments\u2014and as we\u2019ve seen, this will further engage our world\u2019s future students and professionals to perform at a higher level. The result in many years\u2019 time will be a safer, more productive world to live in, and we can\u2019t wait to stake our hand in the efforts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sources: <\/p>\n\n\n\n