Evolution from Virtual Gaming into Mixed Reality Training

Mixed reality is being explored by leading air forces worldwide as a cutting-edge technology for pilot training simulations. To understand its potential, it’s important to look at the evolution of virtual reality (VR) and its limitations. VR creates fully artificial environments but lacks interaction with real-world objects, which is crucial for certain training applications. This limitation led to the development of mixed reality. Mixed reality merges augmented reality (AR) and VR, allowing physical and digital objects to coexist and interact in real-time. Leveraging affordable LCD displays and inertial measurement units (IMUs), played an important role in VR and MR development. After the initial wave the VR market became dominated by international corporations focused on gaming focused on rapid userbase acquisition led to significant investments in VR technology, advancing display technology. Industries like automotive, healthcare, and pilot training began adopting VR, showing a growing demand for high-resolution mixed reality (MR). In the simulation industry, visual acuity and fidelity are prioritized over cost, unlike the gaming industry where price and enjoyment are key drivers. Mixed reality is crucial for training military jet fighter pilots, who need to accurately perceive and identify objects and details for mission success and safety. Different training scenarios require varying levels of fidelity. Although the mobile phone industry facilitated the widespread adoption of modern virtual reality headsets and the gaming industry supported their development for several years, the recent decline in headset sales indicates that the pilot training market segment must now assume the responsibility for funding it further. This segment should establish clear objectives for the next generation of mixed reality devices, which are gaining increasing interest from experts, particularly when integrated with fully functional cockpit replicas.