LED Immersive VR Power Wall in Academia

We designed and delivered the first LED immersive VR power wall in academia for Regent College London to bring complex datasets to life for its digital technology, computing and engineering students.

The result is an ActiveWall solution that matches those the world’s leading enterprise companies are using, ensuring students are acquiring skills that are immediately transferable to the workplace.

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Solution Detail

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The Transformative Educational Digital Laboratory consists of a 4.86m x 2.39m ActiveWall created using a 1.2mm pixel pitch SiliconCore display. Interactivity is delivered through an Advanced Realtime Tracking (ART) solution, so the virtual world moves to the perspective of each user for the ultimate immersion.

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We have swapped the traditional projection method of ActiveWall delivery for a fine pixel pitch solution to deliver a better user and operator experience. The 1.2mm LED display delivers a higher resolution at just under 4k, a greater contrast and higher brightness of up to1200 nits. This enhances details within the complex datasets and enables the power wall to be used in all ambient light conditions.

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The ActiveWall runs at 120 frames per second, enabling the creation of an active 3D environment that allows users to visualise and interact with the virtual world. This can be done by multiple users simultaneously for design reviews, ‘hands on’ training, layout planning, operations and to practise maintenance tasks.

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The environment features six cameras which track users to align them with the datasets in the virtual space and allow them to interact with it. Headtracked active 3D glasses mean the virtual world moves to their true perspective, allowing them to walk around models and even look underneath them. A handheld interactive device triggers the interaction so they can manipulate the dataset by selecting items and moving them around. The multisensory immersion is further enhanced by a 5:1 surround audio system.

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The virtual world is brought to life using our proprietary Visionary Render software. This allows for the creation of bespoke VR scenes that imitate real life in 1:1 scale. This gives full functionality for users to create bespoke VR scenes for a variety of uses including; manufacturing plans, engineering samples, design reviews, ‘hands on’ training, layout planning, operations and for practising maintenance tasks.

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This was an important consideration to futureproof the solution as the curriculum evolves. We are continuing to work with the college to provide VR creator training to lecturers and assist in the creation of datasets.

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Professor Ilias Oraifige, Head of School of Engineering and Computing at Regent College London

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“The advancement from projection to an LED solution means that we are operating at the very cutting edge of what is currently feasible, resulting in a world class advanced visualisation facility.”

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When selecting a suitable LED display solution, Virtalis took into account the total cost of ownership to align with the university’s sustainability initiatives and deliver lower operational costs. SiliconCore’s LED display proved the ideal solution, driven by the manufacturer’s patented Common Cathode technology.  

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This powers individual LEDs in a more efficient way by supplying dedicated power voltages to each individual LED, eliminating heat wastage at PCB level with up to 50% cooler operating temperatures. This cool operation also means that the cabinets can be fitted snugly into the alcove, maximising room space and negating the need for dedicated fans.