Future training - simulations, virtual reality, serious games and augmented reality

As computer technologies continue to evolve so do the ways we interface with them. In this report I briefly review the past, present, and future of advanced computer interfaces. This includes a general introduction to the related technologies of simulation, virtual reality, computer games, and augmented reality. In particular, this introduction focuses on the application of these technologies to support training and decision-making tasks. As these topics are also a focus of current research in the i3Lab, this report also identifies a number of key research questions. A recurring theme of these research questions is the need to develop more objective measures for evaluating these technologies. Such measures will be critical for evaluating the efficacy of new 3D interfaces designed to support decision-making tasks. They will also provide objective measures of the training effects gained from simulation-based training. NOTE: This report is adapted from a talk given by Keith Nesbitt at a public forum at the Royal Newcastle Lecture Theatre, JHH Hospital on Monday, 28th November 2016. This forum was organised by The Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research (CBMHR), in partnership with Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI).