Simulated And Virtual Realities

7 Sensory-motor systems in virtual manipulation

Rupert England

7.1 Introduction

7.1.1 Understanding manipulation

There are many reasons why we would like to use our hands in a virtual environment. Smets et al., in Chapter 9 of this book, discuss the value of ‘direct manipulation’ (section 9.3.2.2), and Ellis lists many applications for virtual environments which would benefit from the ability to directly manipulate virtual objects with our hands (sections 2.3 and 2.4.1). The problem is, though, that the technology does not exist which allows us to do this well, and we do not really know yet how to go about developing the most effective technology. Manipulation is a complex set of coordinated perceptions and responses, which is affected by ...