Exploring the Evolution and Impact of Virtual Reality: From Early Inventions to Large-Scale VR Systems
Virtual reality (VR) technology has made tremendous strides over the past decade, becoming an integral part of everyday life and expanding across a multitude of industries. While VR is often associated with entertainment, its use cases have grown far beyond that, and the technology itself has a rich history stretching back more than sixty years.
Early Inventors of VR: Laying the Foundation
The roots of virtual reality can be traced back to 1956, when American inventor and cinematographer Morton Heilig created the Sensorama, an "Experience Theatre" that provided an immersive, multi-sensory experience through five short films. The machine engaged multiple senses—touch, smell, sound, and sight—offering a groundbreaking experience for its time.
Later, in the late 1960s, Ivan Sutherland, a computer scientist and professor, along with his students, developed the first head-mounted display (HMD), named the Sword of Damocles. This early invention laid the foundation for immersive simulation applications.
VR Technology Today: Expanding Beyond Entertainment
As VR technology has advanced, its applications and benefits have become increasingly clear. Today, VR has expanded far beyond headsets (HMDs), and we now see large-scale VR systems like Powerwalls and CAVEs being used in various industries to enhance and streamline complex processes.
These large-scale VR setups are commonly used for:
- Designing and engineering
- Training and education
- Sales and customer engagement
- Layout planning
- Product operations and maintenance
Larger systems enable groups to collaborate within a shared immersive environment, improving communication and accelerating decision-making. VR systems can range from a single wall display to fully immersive environments with multiple walls and floors, customisable to fit specific needs, space, or budget constraints.
Discover Virtalis' Range of VR Systems
At Virtalis, we offer a range of scalable VR solutions tailored to your organisation's specific requirements. Here’s an overview of the large-scale VR systems we provide:
ActiveWall: Scalable Wall Display for Group Collaboration
The ActiveWall is an ideal solution for experiencing, sharing, and reviewing designs as a group. It enables teams to engage with complex data and visualisations in an immersive VR environment, which enhances communication and collaboration. The scalable wall display can be flat or curved and is perfect for training, educating, and engaging a larger audience in a safe and flexible space.
ActiveCube: Multi-Walled Immersion
For those seeking the next level of immersion, the ActiveCube offers a multi-walled setup that creates a CAVE-like environment. This system allows users to view visualisations in every direction, providing a fully immersive experience without requiring a full headset. Equipped with just 3D glasses, users remain aware of their surroundings while interacting with the virtual environment, making it ideal for enhanced communication and collaboration.
ActiveMove: Portable VR for Flexibility
The ActiveMove is a transportable VR system designed for organisations that need geographic flexibility. This system is perfect for taking immersive visualisations to various sites, events, or for collaborating remotely with other VR users. Like the ActiveWall and ActiveCube, ActiveMove is well-suited for understanding, demonstrating, reviewing, training, and more—all while offering the convenience of remote flexibility.
CustomVR: Tailored VR Solutions
No two VR solutions are the same, and at Virtalis, we ensure that all our systems are fully customisable to meet your exact needs. Whether it’s about space limitations, budget requirements, or unique project demands, CustomVR allows you to bring your vision to life in the way you’ve imagined.
Large-Scale VR Systems: Revolutionising Collaboration and Innovation
Large-scale VR systems are transforming industries by enabling better collaboration, faster decision-making, and more effective communication. Whether it’s for design reviews, training, or engineering, these systems offer an immersive environment that improves understanding, enhances teamwork, and accelerates project timelines.
Interested in learning more about how large-scale VR can benefit your organisation? Explore our virtual walkthrough and hear from the experts by catching up on the VR Systems Meetup: "Beyond the HMD—How Large-Scale VR Systems Make You See the Bigger Picture."