The immersive CAVE: real immersion in a very virtual world

Introduction

Since its first experiments in the 1990s, CAVE (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment) has revolutionized our perception of virtual reality, immersing users in a place where the virtual and the real merge. In this article, we take a closer look at this innovative technology, examining its origins, its benefits and its many applications in different fields.

Understanding CAVE

What is a CAVE?

CAVE is a virtual reality environment made up of walls projecting 3D images, creating an immersive experience for users. Originally conceived by Carolina Cruz-Neira, Daniel J. Sandin and Thomas A. DeFanti at the University of Illinois, CAVE allows users to move around a virtual space while interacting with projected elements.

CAVE benefits

totalimmersion and enhanced realism, it enables users to enjoy virtual experiences that are as close to reality as possible.

sectors, due to users' ability to visualize and solve problems more effectively. The CAVE is therefore ideal for a variety of applications, from training to simulation to product design.Taylor & Francis Online, the use of CAVEs can lead to productivity increases of up to 25% in some sectors, due to the ability of users to visualize and solve problems more effectively. This makes CAVE ideal for a variety of applications, from training to simulation to product design.

History and development

Origins and development of CAVE

The origins of CAVE date back to early virtual reality research in the 1990s. Interior designer, researcher and professor Carolina Cruz-Neira and her team developed the concept to create an immersive environment where users could interact with 3D simulations.

Since its inception, CAVE has seen increasing adoption in many fields, including medicine, engineering and education. Companies around the world have invested in this technology to improve their design, training and simulation processes.

A few players on the subject

Here are a few examples of companies that offer CAVE:

• Barco is a renowned company in the field of immersive systems, offering an innovative range of CAVE solutions. Certainly one of the best-known companies in the field.
• SkyReal is an immersive virtual reality solution designed for CAVE environments, offering a striking visual experience and advanced collaborative features. Thanks to its integration with Unreal Engine 5, it pushes the technical limits of virtual reality with ultra-realistic experiences.
• UGLA is a recently created company focused more on the retail sector, with a strong belief in the mass adoption of technology to revolutionize the customer experience. What sets them apart: easy-to-install, highly competitive equipment.

Applications and use cases

Applications in various fields

CAVE is widely used in various fields. In medicine, it is used to train surgeons and rehabilitate patients. In engineering, it is used to simulate prototypes and validate designs. In education, it offers immersive and interactive learning opportunities.

1. Industrial use: In 2020, the automotive industry accounted for the largest share of CAVE use, with a market share of almost 30%.(Statista)
2. Medical applications: CAVEs are increasingly used in the medical field to train surgeons. They provide a safe, realistic environment for surgical practice, reducing the risks to patients.(ResearchGate)
3. Military training: The armed forces use CAVEs to simulate realistic combat environments, enhancing soldiers' training and decision-making. (US Army)
4. Education: CAVEs are used in education for immersive learning experiences, offering students interactive environments to explore complex concepts.(Frontiers in ICT)
5. Architecture and design: Architects and designers use CAVEs to visualize and modify full-scale 3D models, enabling designs to be optimized before construction.(ScienceDirect)

Use cases

The implementation of Ugla's solution has enabled IKEA to accelerate its commercial expansion. This innovative approach enables IKEA to present its entire catalog in a small 9 m² space. Customers benefit from an immersive experience where they can explore different interior layouts such as kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms. Using QR codes, customers can add products to their shopping list directly from the store. What's more, they have real-time access to the entire online catalog, with the option of viewing products in full-size 3D from any angle. This revolutionary solution, now deployed in all sales outlets in the Paris region, offers IKEA customers a new, immersive shopping experience.

And what uses for 3D merchandising?

For 3Dmerchandising , as for the rest of the sectors mentioned above, it's essential to be able to simulate a full-scale customer journey. What better way to validate a planogram, the implementation of new references or a new signage strategy than with this type of tool. If you want to go further, Retail VR will be present with Ugla's immersive CAVE at Whynot Retail from March 19 to 21, 2024.

Conclusion

In conclusion, CAVE represents a major advance in the field of virtual reality. By combining the virtual and the real, it offers an immersive, interactive experience with far-reaching implications in many fields. As the technology continues to develop, we can expect to see exciting new applications emerge in the years to come.

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Bibliography

• https://blog.laval-virtual.com/le-cave-vr-une-technologie-immersive/
• https://sky-real.com/fr/news/le-cave-a-mi-chemin-entre-realite-et-virtualite/
• https://www.cea.fr/multimedia/Documents/infographies/defis-du-cea-la-salle-immersive-205.pdf
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_automatic_virtual_environment