• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Jensen Huang made his $172 billion fortune on AI chips. His family's $75 million gift to Vanderbilt argues art decides what technology is for

2

'The demographic dividend of the last 40 years is ending': J.P. Morgan says the world is running out of the two things that kept interest rates down

3

The $39 trillion U.S. national debt isn’t as high as Japan’s and Singapore’s relative to economy size—and yet it's still worse somehow

1

Jensen Huang made his $172 billion fortune on AI chips. His family's $75 million gift to Vanderbilt argues art decides what technology is for

2

'The demographic dividend of the last 40 years is ending': J.P. Morgan says the world is running out of the two things that kept interest rates down

3

The $39 trillion U.S. national debt isn’t as high as Japan’s and Singapore’s relative to economy size—and yet it's still worse somehow
Techdassault systemes

Dassault Systèmes Uses HTC Vive to Replace CAVE Virtual Reality Tech

By
John Gaudiosi
John Gaudiosi
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
John Gaudiosi
John Gaudiosi
Down Arrow Button Icon
January 8, 2016, 12:05 PM ET
Dassault Systemes
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Dassault Systèmes has been working in virtual reality for 20 years. The company has specialized in Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE) systems, which are full-room spaces that bring virtual worlds to life via projectors and 3D glasses. For example, Disney Imagineering uses CAVE systems to build attractions. At CES, Dassault Systèmes is using the HTC Vive to demonstrate a more affordable alternative to enterprise businesses.

According to David Nahon, director of immersive virtuality lab at Dassault Systèmes, CAVE systems cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to build and tens of thousands of dollars to maintain. And the ratio between cost and return on investment was high. Now with the introduction of consumer headsets, Nahon’s team has developed a much more affordable alternative.

WATCH: For more on Disney theme parks, enjoy this Fortune video:

Dassault Systèmes began its “Never Blind in VR” project two years ago to solve the one problem that virtual reality headsets presented: Not being able to see others in a room. A CAVE system allows multiple users wearing 3D glasses to experience the 3D projection. But once a user puts on a virtual reality headset, they’re cut off from the real world and any social interaction.

The solution Nahon’s team came up with was to use the Microsoft (MSFT) Kinect camera, which was designed for video games, to scan the space where the user is from the outside. This allows the user to see both the virtual world and others in the room. Also, by implementing the HTC Vive, the user isn’t tethered to a sit-down experience and can walk around the room.

With the introduction of the Vive Pre at CES, which adds a camera to the front of the headset that allows users to see through to the real world, Nahon says they may incorporate that technology into their solution.

Dassault Systèmes works with clients from a dozen industries that use CAVE Systems, ranging from engineering and designing to sales and marketing to automotive, retail, and virtual training.

“Virtual reality is very important for training because companies like the oil industry have complex operations that they need to train employees about before going into the field,” Nahon says.

MORE: Here’s why NFL teams are training in virtual reality

Nahon believes the ability to pair virtual reality headsets with something like the Virtuix Omni treadmill will play a key role in the training sectors.

“Automation is important in the early learning stages because you need to go from one place to another, and physically moving is an important part of decision-making in the real world,” Nahon says.

At CES, Dassault Systèmes is using the Vive to showcase its 3DVIA HomeByMe interior design application, which was developed with Chinese retailer BDHome. Virtual reality allows customers to visualize and customize ideas for home decor or remodeling projects in 3D, bringing the showroom experience into their homes for the first time.

Nahon sees virtual reality helping retailers in other ways, as well. For example, customers could check out larger items like a washing machine from home and order directly from a store, which would allow retailers to offer more big box items without needing to worry about inventory.

SIGN UP: Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s daily newsletter about the business of technology.

Dassault Systèmes is also demonstrating its 3D Dream Sketcher experience, which allows consumers wearing a Vive to create anything they want in the virtual world and then share it through social media in the real world. Examples from CES can be found here, showing how the user is part of the shared experience.

Nahon believes these examples are just the beginning of how the consumer virtual reality products will influence companies who have been working within the medium for years.

About the Author
By John Gaudiosi
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

Latest in Tech

jh
AINvidia
Jensen Huang just used his first ever X post to warn the AI industry not to make the mistake that software narrowly avoided in the 1980s
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 24, 2026
56 minutes ago
pjm
EnergyData centers
The AI boom’s hidden electricity bill — and why you’re paying it
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 24, 2026
1 hour ago
j
AINvidia
Nvidia, Microsoft lead call for open-weight AI models after Kimi
By Michael Shepard and BloombergJuly 24, 2026
1 hour ago
Anthropic debuts Claude Opus 5 with feature that lets users toggle between cost and capability
AIAnthropic
Anthropic debuts Claude Opus 5 with feature that lets users toggle between cost and capability
By Emily ForliniJuly 24, 2026
2 hours ago
grandparents grandkid on a tablet
AIGoogle
Kids don’t ‘Google it’ anymore. AI chatbots taught them to ‘search it up’ instead
By Catherina GioinoJuly 24, 2026
2 hours ago
EU says TikTok failed to shield minors’ accounts from adults, exposing kids to predators
CybersecurityTikTok
EU says TikTok failed to shield minors’ accounts from adults, exposing kids to predators
By Sam McNeil and The Associated PressJuly 24, 2026
4 hours ago

Most Popular

Jensen Huang made his $172 billion fortune on AI chips. His family's $75 million gift to Vanderbilt argues art decides what technology is for
Big Tech
Jensen Huang made his $172 billion fortune on AI chips. His family's $75 million gift to Vanderbilt argues art decides what technology is for
By Sydney LakeJuly 23, 2026
1 day ago
'The demographic dividend of the last 40 years is ending': J.P. Morgan says the world is running out of the two things that kept interest rates down
Economy
'The demographic dividend of the last 40 years is ending': J.P. Morgan says the world is running out of the two things that kept interest rates down
By Eleanor PringleJuly 24, 2026
12 hours ago
The $39 trillion U.S. national debt isn’t as high as Japan’s and Singapore’s relative to economy size—and yet it's still worse somehow
Economy
The $39 trillion U.S. national debt isn’t as high as Japan’s and Singapore’s relative to economy size—and yet it's still worse somehow
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 23, 2026
1 day ago
The millennial generation has split, new Fed research shows: Those over 35 are edging toward boomer-style wealth, while everyone else falls behind
Real Estate
The millennial generation has split, new Fed research shows: Those over 35 are edging toward boomer-style wealth, while everyone else falls behind
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 22, 2026
2 days ago
Spain lifted the World Cup, but the IRS still gets a cut of its $50 million pay day as players, coaches and refs all face complex U.S. “jock taxes”
Personal Finance
Spain lifted the World Cup, but the IRS still gets a cut of its $50 million pay day as players, coaches and refs all face complex U.S. “jock taxes”
By Joshua HongJuly 23, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of oil as of July 23, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of July 23, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJuly 23, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.