The virtual environment objective is to build systems that amplify the human mind by providing it with computer-based auxiliaries that do the things that the mind has trouble doing. Brooks offers several areas of in which human minds are more powerful than any computer algorithm designed. The computer's strength is in storing massive amounts of data and recalling the data without forgetting it. The human strength is to recall data at the appropriate time, in a reference to a completely different subject, that we suddenly see to be meaningful. Human evaluation and recall are very hard processes to translate into a well-defined computer data retrieval command.
Humans are more skilled than computers at pattern recognition, whether visual or aural.
The solution is to develop a general pathway for VE that utilizes the strengths of both the human and the computer. Qualitative algorithms are needed to get a high level view of what the large data sets look like. Quantitative algorithms are needed for the human to probe beyond sight into the raw data. Adding Behaviors Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, for the United States Department of Energy.