But VR, as it is known to the digerati, is beginning to look like it could be as dangerous as immersion in the real thing -- at least, so says NASA and the Department of Defense's chief adviser on the effects high-tech simulators have on the human body.
Nationwide, the list of reported maladies from prolonged immersion in computer-generated worlds continues to grow: vertigo, motion sickness, flashbacks, spontaneous seizures, excessively nerdy and antisocial behavior, even biological infections -- not to mention head lice -- from strapping on much-used equipment.
"Product liability is going to make [manufacturers] get smart very quickly," said Robert Kennedy, who for 15 years studied simulator sickness for two of its first, biggest users, the military and the space program.
From that experience, he notes that the ability to sue the government for simulator and virtual reality related injuries is limited -- in fact, he's not aware of a single instance of a successful suit in the military. But with its high-tech machinery and mission of patriotism, the rules are different than if Junior runs a car up a tree after a few hours at the arcade's virtual race track. In short, manufacturers won't be so lucky, says Kennedy.
As sophisticated simulation and virtual reality technology pioneered in the military becomes commonplace in video arcades, amusement parks, schools and businesses, will awareness of the potential dangers follow? Will restrictions be imposed, warning labels affixed and lawsuits filed?
So far, manufacturers of virtual reality equipment appear to have paid little attention to the problem. Those contacted for comment in this article did not return phone calls.
Says R. Bowen Loftin, a physics professor at the University of Houston and creator of many of the government's more sophisticated virtual reality environments: "I'm very concerned about people in casual uses."
For instance, controversial claims about cellular phones causing cancer provoked major headaches for cellular companies, even with scant scientific evidence.
At the moment, the VR field is operating with similar scientific uncertainty -- great for product-liability lawyers, and potentially worrisome for the public.
