Since June last, the Center for Computing and Communication at the RWTH Aachen University has been featuring the world’s largest, most sophisticated virtual reality environment: a five-sided active stereo CAVE of almost 30m2, powered by 24 Barco NW-12 Galaxy projectors. InAVate Magazine visited the ambitious project, the showpiece of Prof. Dr. Torsten Kuhlen.

 

 

The German Professor Kuhlen, who heads up the Virtual Reality Lab at the Center for Computing and Communication, has been passionate about Virtual Reality since his years as a PhD student at Aachen University. Partly thanks to his commitment, the University has built up a reputation in simulation science, around the world. In his efforts to create interactive, virtual worlds, Kuhlen installed one of the first virtual reality systems in the early 1990s. It was followed by the Center’s first iSpace; a virtual reality CAVE powered by Barco projectors. In June last, Kuhlen and his team welcomed a similar solution, be it with more advanced technology, as its successor. 

 

“We wanted the new CAVE to be larger, with 4K resolution and active stereo. There weren’t many companies that could meet our tough demands,” Professor Kuhlen explained. Barco designed and installed the five-side aixCAVE, powered by 24 Barco NW-12 Galaxy projectors. 

 

The results are impressive. With each wall measuring 5.25 meters in length and stretching to 3.3 meters in height, the aixCAVE is the largest one worldwide - large enough for several people to walk around. On top of that, it raises the standards for projection quality, thus achieving a high level of immersion and an illusion of presence. Just the solution that fits one of the world’s frontrunners in Virtual Reality…