Synthetic environment system

Definition

A synthetic environment is

“

a reconstructed multipurpose environment with a mix of real and computer-synthesized (simulated) objects under computer control. It allows interaction between combinations of real and synthesized objects. A synthetic environment consists of a digital and analog representation of a physical environment with specified fidelity and complexity and is scalable to any size and degree of complexity.

”

A synthetic environment (SE) system includes any of the following:

• teleoperator systems
• virtual environment systems, and
• augmented-reality systems.

Overview

"In a synthetic environment system (SE), the human operator is transported into a new interactive environment by means of devices that display signals to the operator's sense organs and devices that sense various actions of the operator."

"Current research and development efforts directly relevant to the creation of useful SE technology are concerned with (1) computer generation of virtual environments, (2) design of telerobots, (3) improvement of human-machine interfaces, (4) study of relevant aspects of human behavior, and (5) development of communication systems that are adequate to support networking of SE systems."

"Application domains currently receiving considerable attention include: (1) entertainment, (2) national defense, (3) design, manufacturing, and marketing, (4) medicine and health care, (5) hazardous operations, (6) training, (7) education, (8) information visualization, and (9) telecommunication and teletravel."