Application Drivers for Virtual Environment Technology Development

Abstract

There is evidence that the promise of virtual reality has been over-hyped to date and VE applications are being assimilated more slowly than proponents would like, comparable to CAD, and in particular CAAD, in the 1970s. However, research funding, at least in the EU, is being targeted increasingly at predefined exploitation. To attract research funds, visionary but believable ``killer apps{''} are needed against which current technology can be measured. The gap between required and existing technologies can be used to define an implementation path and required research directions. This chapter therefore reviews VE technology and the needs of sustainable cultural heritage projects to define the pressing needs for research progress.