Unit 14 future trends

Task 1. Read and translate the text.

Virtual Reality

Part 1

Virtual reality (VR) means using 3-D graphics to create an imaginary world, or virtual world, which surrounds the user.

You need special equipment to use VR. A VR headset or head-mounted display shows graphics on a screen in front of your eyes. As you turn your head, the picture on the screen moves around too, so it feels as if you are in a 3-D world. A dataglove, or VR glove, is a glove with pressure pads which make your hand feel as if it's picking up objects or touching surfaces. You use a kind of mouse called a VR mouse. 3-D mouse or virtual mouse to move around in virtual space.

Part 2

Virtual reality is already being used in many ways —in medicine, entertainment, and design. But VR is not yet very realistic. As techniques improve, though, VR could seem so real that you could live a virtual life -having many of your experiences through VR. For example, virtual travel systems could take you on a virtual holiday, letting you experience other parts of the world through a VR headset.

Some people even think that VR headsets might he replaced by DNI-Direct Neural Interface - that would stimulate your brain cells to give you a virtual experience. A brain implant would work in a similar way, but would give you special skills, like being able to speak a new language or play an instrument, without, having to learn it.

Glossary

virtual (reality) mouse- a cursor control input device used in VR systems

virtual reality- a simulated three dimensional environment that surrounds the user and

robot- a mechanical device controlled by a computer

robotic- to do with robots

robotics- the study of robot systems

smart card- a plastic card containing a processor and memory chip

Task 2. Complete the gaps in this table of equipment required to use virtual reality.

_____________________________________________________________

Equipment Alternative name Purpose

_____________________________________________________________

________ head-mounted display __________________________

VR glove __________________ makes your hand feel pressure

VR mouse __________________ __________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Task 3. Make a note of the existing and possible future uses of virtual reality which are mentioned.

____________________________ __________________________

Existing uses Possible future uses

____________________________ __________________________

____________________________ __________________________

____________________________ __________________________

____________________________ __________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Task 4. Read and translate the text.

Future developments Smart Cards

A chip to save your life

If your friend suddenly had an accident and was unconscious or incoherent, could you provide any information to an ambulance crew? Would you know her blood type, her allergies, and the prescription drugs she takes? Probably not. Even family members may not have this information, or be too distraught themselves to provide needed medical information. Enter the MediCard, a plastic card that has an embedded chip containing all that patient information. Small computers that can read the cards are installed in ambulances and in hospital emergency rooms. This system is working successfully in some communities. The biggest problem is making sure that people carry their cards at all times.