The first time I have ever had a project under control, having finished it the night before the deadline. I went and lost my CD on the way to college. Moral of the story, stupidity breeds stupidity….ended up one hour late, marked zero.
Friday, 28 November 2008
Monday, 17 November 2008
Dissertation: Initial ideas
first -
"We shape our tools, and then our tools shape us." Marshall McLuhan
This idea would be set on the basis that as human beings we create technology to make our lives easier. However as a result, technology is becoming more and more intelligent as we become less intelligent or less inclined to think for ourselves.
This is already leading to technology telling us what to do in our everyday lives and we are ok with that. In some cases rather it, why is this? Are we becoming slaves to the very technology that we created to be used as a tool? In our hierarchy disciplined world will technology become the “wolf” and mankind the “sheep”?
second -
This idea is based on a title I coined because of the success of online environments “our very own self induced virtual prison”.
At present virtual worlds such as “second life” and “world of war craft” have developed into environments where millions of people world wide “live” for hours on end, daily. Some become completely immersed to such an extent that they are at the mercy of the computer. There online identity desired far more than there real life one. If this trend continues will these computer generated environments, which are completely rule oriented (meaning these rules cannot be broken), be our very own self induced virtual prison?
Will people for example, one day in the future when the technology is completely immersive, decide to go on holiday for free in “second life” to a perfect three dimensional representation of a city or decide to pay and go through all the hassle involved with travelling to that same city in reality? Only time will tell...
"We shape our tools, and then our tools shape us." Marshall McLuhan
This idea would be set on the basis that as human beings we create technology to make our lives easier. However as a result, technology is becoming more and more intelligent as we become less intelligent or less inclined to think for ourselves.
This is already leading to technology telling us what to do in our everyday lives and we are ok with that. In some cases rather it, why is this? Are we becoming slaves to the very technology that we created to be used as a tool? In our hierarchy disciplined world will technology become the “wolf” and mankind the “sheep”?
second -
This idea is based on a title I coined because of the success of online environments “our very own self induced virtual prison”.
At present virtual worlds such as “second life” and “world of war craft” have developed into environments where millions of people world wide “live” for hours on end, daily. Some become completely immersed to such an extent that they are at the mercy of the computer. There online identity desired far more than there real life one. If this trend continues will these computer generated environments, which are completely rule oriented (meaning these rules cannot be broken), be our very own self induced virtual prison?
Will people for example, one day in the future when the technology is completely immersive, decide to go on holiday for free in “second life” to a perfect three dimensional representation of a city or decide to pay and go through all the hassle involved with travelling to that same city in reality? Only time will tell...
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Impact from this new Technology
Waiting lists go down because of shorter operating times and fewer complications during surgery. Faster recovery rates due to the reduced blood loss and less post operative pain allow patients to leave sooner. All this will have a further knock on effect in that more people get appointments.
Society becomes more confident in the medical system. This results in a positive attitude in people when going for operations. More people who may otherwise not go for operations decide to do so because of this new found confidence. Mankind becomes healthier.
Through this technology hospitals will become extremely efficient…and with health care being fundamental to the success and development of us as a civilization the technology holds a future where everyone will benefit.
Society becomes more confident in the medical system. This results in a positive attitude in people when going for operations. More people who may otherwise not go for operations decide to do so because of this new found confidence. Mankind becomes healthier.
Through this technology hospitals will become extremely efficient…and with health care being fundamental to the success and development of us as a civilization the technology holds a future where everyone will benefit.
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Contact Lens Display versus Present Displays
Present day augmented reality systems rely on swivel monitors to display the augmented view of the treatment area. (http://www.inigraphics.net/press/topics/2004/issue1/1_04a13.pdf) These displays have there problems as specialised displays can be very expensive and require tedious setup time. They also can lack mobility. Head mounted displays are sometimes used but are considered by most to be too bulky and deteriorate the wearers perception of there surroundings and reduce mobility due to wires. (http://www.gris.uni-tuebingen.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Paper/Fischer-2004-Medical.pdf)
With the use of the contact lens display, problems regarding setup time and mobility are solved. The doctor need only insert the lenses and setup it complete. With the lenses in place he/she will be able to freely view areas without having to limit there view inside the confines of the swivel window used currently. They would also prove to be a more natural and accessible device for a physician when compared to the swivel display window. Once placed on the eye they will be completely unnoticeable. The physician can then fully concentrate on the procedure at hand.
With the use of the contact lens display, problems regarding setup time and mobility are solved. The doctor need only insert the lenses and setup it complete. With the lenses in place he/she will be able to freely view areas without having to limit there view inside the confines of the swivel window used currently. They would also prove to be a more natural and accessible device for a physician when compared to the swivel display window. Once placed on the eye they will be completely unnoticeable. The physician can then fully concentrate on the procedure at hand.
Contact Lens Display for AR in Medicine: Safety and Usability
Safety is of course paramount: a minor miscalculation could result in a patient’s death. Augmented reality relies upon an exact registration of virtual to real life, and misalignment cannot be allowed. It is also important that the surgeon retains tight control and can monitor, evaluate, and adjust factors throughout a procedure that depends on augmented reality.(http://student.bmj.com/issues/08/03/life/108.php)
The determination of the position, the visualisation, as well as the graphic interactive access of instruments, organs and regions should be as natural and transparent as possible. It is essential for its acceptance that the existing practice of physicians is as little changed as possible. The use of augmented reality particularly fits well to achieve this goal, as it overlays the real view on the patient with computer generated images and information. (http://www.igd.fhg.de/igd-a7/projects/medarpa/en/index.html)
Finally ergonomics and ease of use must be considered. All information displayed through the lens must relay information to the surgeon in a very intelligent way as to not impede vision or distract in any way. Failure to do so could compromise a patient’s safety.
The determination of the position, the visualisation, as well as the graphic interactive access of instruments, organs and regions should be as natural and transparent as possible. It is essential for its acceptance that the existing practice of physicians is as little changed as possible. The use of augmented reality particularly fits well to achieve this goal, as it overlays the real view on the patient with computer generated images and information. (http://www.igd.fhg.de/igd-a7/projects/medarpa/en/index.html)
Finally ergonomics and ease of use must be considered. All information displayed through the lens must relay information to the surgeon in a very intelligent way as to not impede vision or distract in any way. Failure to do so could compromise a patient’s safety.
Contact Lens Display for Augmented Reality(AR) in Medicine
With my project now focusing on the Medical domain I began to look into the areas where this technology would be very beneficial. The following are specific areas/applications in medicine for Augmented Reality.
Puncture, Biopsy
This is the introduction of Needles into the body to extract tissue samples. Currently these interventions are performed by the physicians with the use of previously assembled image data and there experiences in the field regarding anatomy. At present it is impossible to see if the needle injection harms healthy areas by the intervention.
(http://www.igd.fhg.de/igd-a7/projects/medarpa/en/index.html)
Cancer Treatment, Brachytherapy
Medication is injected through a needle or a supply of radiation is introduced to tumor.
When a physician injects this radiation supply it must be as close to the tumor as possible in order to minimize damage to the surrounding cells which are healthy. This however is not always possible as the tumor is sometimes hidden from the view of the doctor.
(http://www.igd.fhg.de/igd-a7/projects/medarpa/en/index.html)
Minimum invasive surgery
An instrument for inspection or intervention is introduced through a natural or induced body opening. (http://www.igd.fhg.de/igd-a7/projects/medarpa/en/index.html)
This area has become increasingly recognized over the past fifteen years - As the avoidance of large incisions typically results in a reduced loss of blood, significantly less post-operative pain, faster recovery, and better cosmetic results. However, the first problem encountered with minimal invasive surgery is it confronts the physician with a limited view to the region of intervention. The second problem is the lack of reference between the pre-operatively acquired medical image data (MRI, CT etc.) and the patient during the operation. This relationship between the treatment region and the pre-operatively acquired medical data is an unsupported process leaving a considerable extra workload for the surgeon. (http://www.inigraphics.net/press/topics/2004/issue1/1_04a13.pdf)
The above listed areas will all be revolutionized through augmented reality…as the pre-op image data will be directly registered in the exact position of the treatment area with all instruments used being tracked electromagnetically. This will be further complemented with helpful information regards the procedure displayed through the lens display for the physician to see.
Puncture, Biopsy
This is the introduction of Needles into the body to extract tissue samples. Currently these interventions are performed by the physicians with the use of previously assembled image data and there experiences in the field regarding anatomy. At present it is impossible to see if the needle injection harms healthy areas by the intervention.
(http://www.igd.fhg.de/igd-a7/projects/medarpa/en/index.html)
Cancer Treatment, Brachytherapy
Medication is injected through a needle or a supply of radiation is introduced to tumor.
When a physician injects this radiation supply it must be as close to the tumor as possible in order to minimize damage to the surrounding cells which are healthy. This however is not always possible as the tumor is sometimes hidden from the view of the doctor.
(http://www.igd.fhg.de/igd-a7/projects/medarpa/en/index.html)
Minimum invasive surgery
An instrument for inspection or intervention is introduced through a natural or induced body opening. (http://www.igd.fhg.de/igd-a7/projects/medarpa/en/index.html)
This area has become increasingly recognized over the past fifteen years - As the avoidance of large incisions typically results in a reduced loss of blood, significantly less post-operative pain, faster recovery, and better cosmetic results. However, the first problem encountered with minimal invasive surgery is it confronts the physician with a limited view to the region of intervention. The second problem is the lack of reference between the pre-operatively acquired medical image data (MRI, CT etc.) and the patient during the operation. This relationship between the treatment region and the pre-operatively acquired medical data is an unsupported process leaving a considerable extra workload for the surgeon. (http://www.inigraphics.net/press/topics/2004/issue1/1_04a13.pdf)
The above listed areas will all be revolutionized through augmented reality…as the pre-op image data will be directly registered in the exact position of the treatment area with all instruments used being tracked electromagnetically. This will be further complemented with helpful information regards the procedure displayed through the lens display for the physician to see.
Monday, 10 November 2008
Contact Lens Display: Focusing on One Area
During my conversation with Mìcheal this week we discussed the various areas (good and bad) I had researched regards this technologies impact on society. Through this discussion it became apparent that in order for me to carry this project forward and to produce a viable presentation in the allocated time. I would need to focus on one area which would use this Contact Lens Display. Having many areas would result in a project/presentation which was too broad.
Taking this on board I began to look at the various areas I had researched and analyze them on there merits. To begin with I compared Virtual Reality (immersive environments e.g. gaming) to Augmented Reality. In order to distinguish which technology would be the most practical as a future technology and also best suited for the Lens display.
Virtual Reality(VR) versus Augmented Reality(AR)
In Virtual Reality systems the external world is completely blocked out with the user being presented with an environment that is under complete control of the computer. The user is completely immersed in an artificial world and becomes divorced from there real environment. (http://www.se.rit.edu/~jrv/research/ar/introduction.html) They are at the mercy of the computer living in a kind of virtual prison with rules that cannot be broken.
In some cases the user might become addicted to this virtual world preferring to live in this environment. Could this be considered healthy living in a computer generated environment? Your real world identity lost instead replaced by this user desired virtual one.
In contrast, an Augmented Reality system is augmenting the real world scene necessitating that the user maintains a sense of presence in that world. This is a lot healthier, as you do not loose your sense of identity. (http://www.se.rit.edu/~jrv/research/ar/introduction.html)
Virtual Reality systems while being extremely expensive will also require a lot of supplementary technology to be fully functional, such as complete user interactivity and mobility. This looks from research to be a lot further into the future then augmented reality technology.
It is for these reasons I have decided to develop my concept with Augmented Reality in mind as it is more feasible for this futures brief.
Augmented Reality: Medicine
It became very apparent to me what area I should concentrate on once I decided not to go down the obvious road of immersive gamming (virtual reality). The Medical field is viewed by most as one of the more important for augmented reality systems because many applications throughout depend chiefly on image technology.
With the majority of surgery’s being image guided surgery pre-op images such as CT or MRI scans offer a surgeon a necessary internal view of a patient. The operation is then planned using these visuals. With the use of Augmented Reality these 3 dimensional scans could be directly superimposed on the anatomy of the patient while the operation is in progress when viewed through the lenses. Having these visuals superimposed onto the patient will enhance the performance of a surgical team and eliminate painful stereotatic frames currently being used. (http://www.se.rit.edu/~jrv/research/ar/introduction.html)
Below is a sketch detailing how this 3D MRI image might look seperimposed on a patient.
Another area which will use this technology will be ultra sound imaging. Using the display a doctor would view a 3 dimensional image of a fetus superimposed on the abdomen of a pregnant women. (http://www.se.rit.edu/~jrv/research/ar/introduction.html)
Taking this on board I began to look at the various areas I had researched and analyze them on there merits. To begin with I compared Virtual Reality (immersive environments e.g. gaming) to Augmented Reality. In order to distinguish which technology would be the most practical as a future technology and also best suited for the Lens display.
Virtual Reality(VR) versus Augmented Reality(AR)
In Virtual Reality systems the external world is completely blocked out with the user being presented with an environment that is under complete control of the computer. The user is completely immersed in an artificial world and becomes divorced from there real environment. (http://www.se.rit.edu/~jrv/research/ar/introduction.html) They are at the mercy of the computer living in a kind of virtual prison with rules that cannot be broken.
In some cases the user might become addicted to this virtual world preferring to live in this environment. Could this be considered healthy living in a computer generated environment? Your real world identity lost instead replaced by this user desired virtual one.
In contrast, an Augmented Reality system is augmenting the real world scene necessitating that the user maintains a sense of presence in that world. This is a lot healthier, as you do not loose your sense of identity. (http://www.se.rit.edu/~jrv/research/ar/introduction.html)
Virtual Reality systems while being extremely expensive will also require a lot of supplementary technology to be fully functional, such as complete user interactivity and mobility. This looks from research to be a lot further into the future then augmented reality technology.
It is for these reasons I have decided to develop my concept with Augmented Reality in mind as it is more feasible for this futures brief.
Augmented Reality: Medicine
It became very apparent to me what area I should concentrate on once I decided not to go down the obvious road of immersive gamming (virtual reality). The Medical field is viewed by most as one of the more important for augmented reality systems because many applications throughout depend chiefly on image technology.
With the majority of surgery’s being image guided surgery pre-op images such as CT or MRI scans offer a surgeon a necessary internal view of a patient. The operation is then planned using these visuals. With the use of Augmented Reality these 3 dimensional scans could be directly superimposed on the anatomy of the patient while the operation is in progress when viewed through the lenses. Having these visuals superimposed onto the patient will enhance the performance of a surgical team and eliminate painful stereotatic frames currently being used. (http://www.se.rit.edu/~jrv/research/ar/introduction.html)
Below is a sketch detailing how this 3D MRI image might look seperimposed on a patient.
Another area which will use this technology will be ultra sound imaging. Using the display a doctor would view a 3 dimensional image of a fetus superimposed on the abdomen of a pregnant women. (http://www.se.rit.edu/~jrv/research/ar/introduction.html)
Friday, 7 November 2008
Contact Lens Display for Augmented/Virtual Reality : Meaning to Society
Over the last few days I decided to research further the impact this Augmented/Virtual Reality Contact Lens Display would have on society. Shown below are examples of how this will be beneficial and also non-beneficial:
Immersive Environments:
With this lens totally immersive three dimensional environments will be possible. For gaming this is the “holy grail” of displays, making the Star Trek “holadeck” that step closer. However other technologies will also need to be developed if the gamer wants to move around the environment.
Medicine:
This is an area where mankind can really benefit. Twenty-four hour health care will become common place as bio-censors placed on the lens constantly check for health problems.
Operations would be made simpler. With cameras incorporated in the lens surgeons would be able to zoom into minute areas during an operation (bionic vision). They could also, using augmented reality, have areas of the body such as major arteries, veins etc. traced during operations. Both of these factors making the surgery a lot less complicated. (http://www.gizmag.com/electronic-contact-lens-promises-bionic-capabilities-for-everyone/8689)
Operations could also be practiced as, like the completely immersive gaming concept mentioned above, an operation could also be created much like a game. Surgeons would then practice techniques (within this immersive world) without having to think about the consequences of anything going wrong. This would be highly beneficial to all doctors in whatever stage of there career be it surgeons in training or specialists.
Mobile Device Displays:
This is an area which will be revolutionized by this technology. The main problem currently with mobile devises is the screen size. As miniaturization is the main focus with all of these devises the smaller a devise the smaller the screen size must be. This leads to usability problems as it is harder for the user to read what’s displayed. This is the main problem for developers making these devises. Taking the display out of the devise will allow developers to rewrite the rule book.(http://www.gizmag.com/electronic-contact-lens-promises-bionic-capabilities-for-everyone.html)
An example would be users will be able to surf the internet on there phone using the lens as there display. This lens would then superimpose what the phone generates onto the users field of vision, allowing for a display that only they would see.
(http://www.gizmag.com/electronic-contact-lens-promises-bionic-capabilities-for-everyone.html)
GPS Systems:
With the use of augmented reality in unison with the lens the wearer would never get lost in any new environment. The user would use the lens to display a map detailing their route. This would then overlap what they already see (obviously some sort of computing devise would also be needed, to key in a destination). The user would then simply follow this map to get to their destination. A more serious example using the same idea could be in the military. Here troops would navigate through hazardous terrain using the devise.
Through this visual communication all troops in a unit will always be organized without having to converse with the commanding officer. As a result team operations are much more efficient.
E-Learning
This is another area which will benefit greatly from using this devise to display augmented reality. For instance, books will begin to come to life. This will mostly be within the realm of children’s books. These books will completely engage any child (and maybe even adults). The concept would work in much the same way as a pop up book however what you would see is the “pop-up” characters coming to life, walking around the page. (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FMJwURqpFWs) A problem with this concept however would be placing the lens in a child’s eye. This might not be too easy. A wrap around visor might be a simple more efficient idea.
Class rooms will become more interesting to students as teachers/lecturers will use the technology to explain visually. (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FMJwURqpFWs) This will benefit students greatly as it is known that the mind remembers visuals much easier than text. Students will also be able to interact with this augmented reality making a very entertaining experience.
As education may seem boring to some people tuning in to this “popular culture”, in this case video games, will be very important in future learning.
Emergency Sector:
Firefighters entering a burning building could have the location of the various exits, sprinkler systems throughout the building mapped out digitally. These 3D maps would then be superimposed onto there vision using the lens. They could also have cameras integrated (like the bionic vision concept above) so they could see other team members view which would allow them too communicate easily. This would also enable them to see different areas of the building allowing them to distribute themselves evenly to fight the blaze. All this supplementary information would need to be displayed to the wearer very intelligently so it would completely assist not distract the firefighter.
Next are some areas which might be seen as obstacles in the development of this technology.
Could people reject the idea of wearing an electronic devise on top of their eye?
Wearers of modern day polymer contact lenses have no such problems, saying that they are completely unnoticeable. So it won’t be a comfort factor which would decide this. It seems that the circuitry involved and the “Cy-Borg” association when looking through the display could be the defining factor whether it will triumph or not.
The end of Social Interaction
In modern times, where “face to face” interaction is becoming less and less frequent. Would this technology widen this gap even further than it already is when developed even further. I say this as most people, for instance, when traveling on public transport or walking down a street are usually “plugged” into to some mobile devise such as an i-pod or working on there laptop. Completely oblivious to the people located around them. With this devise might people have another reason not to talk to one another?
Developed Countries versus the Under Developed Countries
This Augmented Reality Lens Display will be the next big revolution in technology. With this technology being mass produced in all developed countries these areas will become even more sophisticated in education, medicine, welfare, etc. This will leave the already large gap to the poorer nations unbridgeable. If this is the case, the developed world might decide to forget about these countries leading them to become an eventual wasteland.
Immersive Environment Addiction
Mentioned above was the main advantage of having a completely immersive environment to play in. However there is also a rather dark view one could have regards these environments and addiction. From looking at today’s most successful computer games, “World of War Craft” and “Second Life”, there is an enormous quantity of people interested in fictional online worlds. With the birth of immersive environments displayed through these lenses. Users might become so obsessed they may not want to leave. Exiting from the real world where they feel meaningless, instead deciding to live in the fictional where they are god.
Advertising Overload
When in mass production users will begin to wear the lens constantly to help in there everyday lives. Advertising companies will clearly want to tap into this lucrative area. With that said how would this augmented reality be policed to stop wirelessly transmitted advert “pop ups” accruing on your display once in use. If this wasn’t controlled in the right way the wearer would be inundated with advertisements.
Immersive Environments:
With this lens totally immersive three dimensional environments will be possible. For gaming this is the “holy grail” of displays, making the Star Trek “holadeck” that step closer. However other technologies will also need to be developed if the gamer wants to move around the environment.
Medicine:
This is an area where mankind can really benefit. Twenty-four hour health care will become common place as bio-censors placed on the lens constantly check for health problems.
Operations would be made simpler. With cameras incorporated in the lens surgeons would be able to zoom into minute areas during an operation (bionic vision). They could also, using augmented reality, have areas of the body such as major arteries, veins etc. traced during operations. Both of these factors making the surgery a lot less complicated. (http://www.gizmag.com/electronic-contact-lens-promises-bionic-capabilities-for-everyone/8689)
Operations could also be practiced as, like the completely immersive gaming concept mentioned above, an operation could also be created much like a game. Surgeons would then practice techniques (within this immersive world) without having to think about the consequences of anything going wrong. This would be highly beneficial to all doctors in whatever stage of there career be it surgeons in training or specialists.
Mobile Device Displays:
This is an area which will be revolutionized by this technology. The main problem currently with mobile devises is the screen size. As miniaturization is the main focus with all of these devises the smaller a devise the smaller the screen size must be. This leads to usability problems as it is harder for the user to read what’s displayed. This is the main problem for developers making these devises. Taking the display out of the devise will allow developers to rewrite the rule book.(http://www.gizmag.com/electronic-contact-lens-promises-bionic-capabilities-for-everyone.html)
An example would be users will be able to surf the internet on there phone using the lens as there display. This lens would then superimpose what the phone generates onto the users field of vision, allowing for a display that only they would see.
(http://www.gizmag.com/electronic-contact-lens-promises-bionic-capabilities-for-everyone.html)
GPS Systems:
With the use of augmented reality in unison with the lens the wearer would never get lost in any new environment. The user would use the lens to display a map detailing their route. This would then overlap what they already see (obviously some sort of computing devise would also be needed, to key in a destination). The user would then simply follow this map to get to their destination. A more serious example using the same idea could be in the military. Here troops would navigate through hazardous terrain using the devise.
Through this visual communication all troops in a unit will always be organized without having to converse with the commanding officer. As a result team operations are much more efficient.
E-Learning
This is another area which will benefit greatly from using this devise to display augmented reality. For instance, books will begin to come to life. This will mostly be within the realm of children’s books. These books will completely engage any child (and maybe even adults). The concept would work in much the same way as a pop up book however what you would see is the “pop-up” characters coming to life, walking around the page. (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FMJwURqpFWs) A problem with this concept however would be placing the lens in a child’s eye. This might not be too easy. A wrap around visor might be a simple more efficient idea.
Class rooms will become more interesting to students as teachers/lecturers will use the technology to explain visually. (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FMJwURqpFWs) This will benefit students greatly as it is known that the mind remembers visuals much easier than text. Students will also be able to interact with this augmented reality making a very entertaining experience.
As education may seem boring to some people tuning in to this “popular culture”, in this case video games, will be very important in future learning.
Emergency Sector:
Firefighters entering a burning building could have the location of the various exits, sprinkler systems throughout the building mapped out digitally. These 3D maps would then be superimposed onto there vision using the lens. They could also have cameras integrated (like the bionic vision concept above) so they could see other team members view which would allow them too communicate easily. This would also enable them to see different areas of the building allowing them to distribute themselves evenly to fight the blaze. All this supplementary information would need to be displayed to the wearer very intelligently so it would completely assist not distract the firefighter.
Next are some areas which might be seen as obstacles in the development of this technology.
Could people reject the idea of wearing an electronic devise on top of their eye?
Wearers of modern day polymer contact lenses have no such problems, saying that they are completely unnoticeable. So it won’t be a comfort factor which would decide this. It seems that the circuitry involved and the “Cy-Borg” association when looking through the display could be the defining factor whether it will triumph or not.
The end of Social Interaction
In modern times, where “face to face” interaction is becoming less and less frequent. Would this technology widen this gap even further than it already is when developed even further. I say this as most people, for instance, when traveling on public transport or walking down a street are usually “plugged” into to some mobile devise such as an i-pod or working on there laptop. Completely oblivious to the people located around them. With this devise might people have another reason not to talk to one another?
Developed Countries versus the Under Developed Countries
This Augmented Reality Lens Display will be the next big revolution in technology. With this technology being mass produced in all developed countries these areas will become even more sophisticated in education, medicine, welfare, etc. This will leave the already large gap to the poorer nations unbridgeable. If this is the case, the developed world might decide to forget about these countries leading them to become an eventual wasteland.
Immersive Environment Addiction
Mentioned above was the main advantage of having a completely immersive environment to play in. However there is also a rather dark view one could have regards these environments and addiction. From looking at today’s most successful computer games, “World of War Craft” and “Second Life”, there is an enormous quantity of people interested in fictional online worlds. With the birth of immersive environments displayed through these lenses. Users might become so obsessed they may not want to leave. Exiting from the real world where they feel meaningless, instead deciding to live in the fictional where they are god.
Advertising Overload
When in mass production users will begin to wear the lens constantly to help in there everyday lives. Advertising companies will clearly want to tap into this lucrative area. With that said how would this augmented reality be policed to stop wirelessly transmitted advert “pop ups” accruing on your display once in use. If this wasn’t controlled in the right way the wearer would be inundated with advertisements.
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