Virtual Reality (VR) has long promised the ability to vividly recreate our cultural past but when it comes to reanimating our ancestors, results have been decidedly lacklustre. Recent advances in Artificial Life however, are fast changing the neighbourhood.
Virtual 3D scenes incorporating thousands of animated elements can be realistically rendered at fast frame rates, using current consumer-grade computers. Yet, despite opening up a range of possibilities for the leisure, security and education industries (to name but a few), one under-developed aspect remains that of crowd simulations which still comprise avatars displaying unrealistic behaviours.
Further details: Cultural heritage Virtual Reality brings us face to face with our ancestors