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CHAPTER 13 / CONCLUDING REMARKS I 83
handles it by hand gesture. In its second stage, a virtual world will be created on
the screen of a flat display and the viewer will handle virtual objects by hand ges-
ture. The third stage will be full-screen HyperReality. A wall-size screen will be
hung on a wall. HyperReality will become the environment of the room. Through
the screen, real people and virtual people will be able to interact, talk together, and
conduct cooperative work. In the final stage, a full envelope of HyperReality will
be developed. By wearing an "envelope," a person will be able to enter a Hyper-
World and communicate for work or play. The envelope will be a kind of data suit
with a wearable computer, a data glove, glasses, and wireless communication
equipment.
Many kinds of applications will be developed for HyperReality; including
HyperClinics, HyperArt museums, and HyperManufacturing.

13.2 THE AGE OF PERSONALIZATION

What might happen if the intelligent communication system is realized and put
to practical use? People at different locations could be brought together via the
Internet to conduct cooperative work as if they were gathered at the same place.
For example, through HyperReality, dress designers at different places around the
world could be brought together over the Internet in a HyperDesign room to brain-
storm about designing a new dress and to share information about a customer's
opinions. At the same time, customers at different places could be brought
together via the Internet in a HyperMeeting place to talk about a new dress they
would like to purchase. Then designers and customers could be brought together
in a common HyperRoom to exchange information about the dress, allowing
designers to learn about the dress that customers want to purchase. The design-
ers could then alter the shape or style of a dress or its color or texture and show
the revised garment to the customers. Once customers were satisfied with the
dress, the design could be sent to a dressmaker to be made. Many kinds of design
work could be accomplished in this way, allowing personalized manufacturing to
be performed.
How would this work actually be done? In the HyperDesign room and the
HyperMeeting room, workstations with display, keyboard, mouse, data glove, and
shutter glasses would be installed, enabling designers and customers to commu-
nicate. In front of the work station display a virtual world would be generated in
which a virtual dress would be displayed. Designers and customers would be able
to grasp the dress by hand gesture or mouse and look at it from various angles.
According to customers' information, designers could change the shape or color
of the dress. Then customers would look at it and give their opinions. A customer
would even be able to wear a dress by using his or her image.
Currently customers can go shopping in a store to purchase a ready-made dress.
The customers generally can't order a dress fit to them personally. However, through