
Chapter 2
Theoretical and pragmatic approach
to virtual reality
Philippe Fuchs
Contributors: Jean-Marie Burkhardt and Domitile Lourdeaux
2.1 HUM AN BEH AVIOUR IN A RE AL EN VIRONMENT
After presenting the purpose and the technical definition of virtual reality, we will
now explain our method for designing and assessing effective VR systems. Let’s not
forget that the purpose is to help a person (or persons) to perform a sensorimotor
and cognitive activity in an artificial world. Thus it is necessary to first specify man’s
behaviour in a real world before going on to virtual world.
Physically, man perceives his environment through his senses. A stimulus