Using Immersive Virtual Environments for Certification

the last few years immersive virtual environment technology has matured to the point where industry researchers have begun using it for the design and evaluation of new systems. Immersive virtual environments have already been applied to a wide variety of domains , including automobile design, flight simulation, emergency rescue, and remote surgical training. As VEs move from research laboratories to commercial use, there is a need to define the appropriate role of VEs in certifying the systems they simulate. In this article we describe the unique features of this developing technology, as well some key issues to consider when using VEs for certification. Designers, researchers, and developers are already using vir tual environments in many ways and in many domains. The technology has matured enough so that now VEs are beginning to be used to cer tify the systems they simulate.