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

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

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
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • 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
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Success
In 2026, many employers are ditching merit-based pay bumps in favor of ‘peanut butter raises’
By Emma BurleighFebruary 2, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
'I just don't have a good feeling about this': Top economist Claudia Sahm says the economy quietly shifted and everyone's now looking at the wrong alarm
By Eleanor PringleJanuary 31, 2026
3 days ago
placeholder alt text
Future of Work
Ford CEO has 5,000 open mechanic jobs with up to 6-figure salaries from the shortage of manually skilled workers: 'We are in trouble in our country'
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJanuary 31, 2026
3 days ago
placeholder alt text
Personal Finance
Current price of silver as of Monday, February 2, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerFebruary 2, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Big Tech
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative cut 70 jobs as the Meta CEO’s philanthropy goes all in on mission to 'cure or prevent all disease'
By Sydney LakeFebruary 1, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Cybersecurity
Top AI leaders are begging people not to use Moltbook, a social media platform for AI agents: It’s a ‘disaster waiting to happen’
By Eva RoytburgFebruary 2, 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.


Latest in Tech

Moltbook image.
AIChatbots
In Moltbook hysteria, former top Facebook researcher sees echoes of 2017 panic over bots building a ‘secret language’
By Jeremy KahnFebruary 3, 2026
54 minutes ago
two men smile in front of the camera
CryptoCryptocurrency
Kairos, which is building a cross-platform tool for prediction markets traders, raises $2.5 million from a16z crypto
By Carlos GarciaFebruary 3, 2026
4 hours ago
Cryptostablecoins
Famed startup incubator Y Combinator will let founders receive funds in stablecoins
By Ben WeissFebruary 3, 2026
4 hours ago
davos
CommentaryCareers
While elites debate geopolitics, Americans are rethinking college in the search for economic mobility
By Ed MitzenFebruary 3, 2026
4 hours ago
d'amaro
C-SuiteDisney
Disney names parks chief Josh D’Amaro as next CEO
By Nick LichtenbergFebruary 3, 2026
5 hours ago
musk
AIspace
‘Space-based AI is obviously the only way to scale’: Elon Musk hatches grand plan as he merges SpaceX and xAI
By Bernard Condon, Matt O'Brien and The Associated PressFebruary 3, 2026
5 hours ago