VPL EyePhone - Revision history

RealEditor: remove extra space

2025-07-02T19:22:27Z

remove extra space

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:22, 2 July 2025
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	}}		}}

	The '''EyePhone''' was a pioneering [[virtual reality]] [[head-mounted display]] (HMD) developed by [[VPL Research]] and released in June 1989.<ref name="wikipedia">Wikipedia. "EyePhone". July 27, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EyePhone</ref> Created by [[Jaron Lanier]] and [[Thomas G. Zimmerman]], with Lanier having coined the term "virtual reality,"<ref name="vrs">Virtual Reality Society. "VPL Research Jaron Lanier". July 13, 2017. https://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality-profiles/vpl-research.html</ref> the EyePhone was one of the first commercially available VR headsets and played a significant role in the early development of virtual reality technology.		The '''EyePhone''' was a pioneering [[virtual reality]] [[head-mounted display]] (HMD) developed by [[VPL Research]] and released in June 1989.<ref name="wikipedia">Wikipedia. "EyePhone". July 27, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EyePhone</ref> Created by [[Jaron Lanier]] and [[Thomas G. Zimmerman]], with Lanier having coined the term "virtual reality,"<ref name="vrs">Virtual Reality Society. "VPL Research Jaron Lanier". July 13, 2017. https://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality-profiles/vpl-research.html</ref> the EyePhone was one of the first commercially available VR headsets and played a significant role in the early development of virtual reality technology.

Xinreality at 09:52, 26 June 2025

2025-06-26T09:52:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:52, 26 June 2025
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	{{Device Infobox		{{Device Infobox
	\|image =		\|image = [[File:vpl eyephone1.png\|300px]]
	\|VR/AR = [[Virtual Reality]]		\|VR/AR = [[Virtual Reality]]
	\|Type = [[Head-mounted display]]		\|Type = [[Head-mounted display]]

Xinreality: Xinreality moved page EyePhone to VPL EyePhone

2025-06-26T09:52:17Z

Xinreality moved page EyePhone to VPL EyePhone

← Older revision	Revision as of 09:52, 26 June 2025
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Xinreality at 09:51, 26 June 2025

2025-06-26T09:51:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:51, 26 June 2025
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	\|Tracking Volume =		\|Tracking Volume =
	\|Play Space =		\|Play Space =
	\|Latency = <50 ms (with SGI rendering)		\|Latency = less than 50 ms (with SGI rendering)
	\|Audio = Stereo headphones		\|Audio = Stereo headphones
	\|Microphone =		\|Microphone =
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	\|Color = Beige		\|Color = Beige
	\|Sensors = Head tracking sensors (Polhemus magnetic tracker)		\|Sensors = Head tracking sensors (Polhemus magnetic tracker)
	\|Input = [[DataGlove]] (sold separately)		\|Input = [[DataGlove]], (sold separately)
	\|Compliance =		\|Compliance =
	\|Size =		\|Size =

Xinreality at 09:51, 26 June 2025

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← Older revision		Revision as of 09:51, 26 June 2025
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	{{Device Infobox		{{Device Infobox
	\|image =		\|image =
	\|VR/AR = Virtual Reality		\|VR/AR = [[Virtual Reality]]
	\|Type = Head-mounted display		\|Type = [[Head-mounted display]]
	\|Subtype = PC-Powered VR		\|Subtype = [[PC-Powered VR]], [[Vintage VR]]
	\|Platform = Silicon Graphics [[IRIS]]/[[Onyx]] workstations		\|Platform = Silicon Graphics IRIS/Onyx workstations
	\|Creator = [[Jaron Lanier]] ~~and~~ [[Thomas G. Zimmerman]]		\|Creator = [[Jaron Lanier]], [[Thomas G. Zimmerman]]
	\|Developer = [[VPL Research]]		\|Developer = [[VPL Research]]
	\|Manufacturer = [[VPL Research]]		\|Manufacturer = [[VPL Research]]
Line 16:		Line 16:
	\|Predecessor =		\|Predecessor =
	\|Successor =		\|Successor =
	\|Operating System = [[MS-DOS]], early [[Windows]]		\|Operating System = MS-DOS, early Windows
	\|Chipset =		\|Chipset =
	\|CPU =		\|CPU =
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	\|Storage =		\|Storage =
	\|Memory =		\|Memory =
	\|SD Card Slot = No		\|SD Card Slot =
	\|Display = Dual active-matrix [[LCD]] panels		\|Display = Dual active-matrix LCD panels
	\|Subpixel Layout =		\|Subpixel Layout =
	\|Peak Brightness =		\|Peak Brightness =
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	\|Average Pixel Density =		\|Average Pixel Density =
	\|Peak Pixel Density =		\|Peak Pixel Density =
	\|Foveated Rendering = No		\|Foveated Rendering =
	\|Optics = [[LEEP optics]] design with ~~[[Fresnel lenses\|~~Fresnel condensing lenses]]		\|Optics = LEEP optics design with Fresnel condensing lenses
	\|Ocularity = Binocular		\|Ocularity = Binocular
	\|IPD Range = Adjustable		\|IPD Range = Adjustable
	\|Adjustable Diopter =		\|Adjustable Diopter =
	\|Passthrough = No		\|Passthrough =
	\|Tracking = 3 [[DoF]] electromagnetic ([[Polhemus]] FASTRAK)		\|Tracking = 3 DoF electromagnetic (Polhemus FASTRAK)
	\|Tracking Frequency = 60 Hz		\|Tracking Frequency = 60 Hz
	\|Base Stations = No		\|Base Stations = No
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	\|Ports =		\|Ports =
	\|Wired Video = Yes		\|Wired Video = Yes
	\|Wireless Video = No		\|Wireless Video =
	\|WiFi = No		\|WiFi =
	\|Bluetooth = No		\|Bluetooth =
	\|Power = External (workstation-powered)		\|Power = External (workstation-powered)
	\|Battery Capacity = ~~N/A~~		\|Battery Capacity =
	\|Battery Life = ~~N/A~~		\|Battery Life =
	\|Charge Time = ~~N/A~~		\|Charge Time =
	\|Dimensions =		\|Dimensions =
	\|Weight = 200 g (visor only), ~2.5 kg (complete system with cables)		\|Weight = 200 g (visor only), ~2.5 kg (complete system with cables)
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	</references>		</references>


			[[Category:Vintage Devices]]
			[[Category:Vintage VR]]
			[[Category:Devices]]
			[[Category:Virtual Reality Devices]]
	[[Category:Virtual reality headsets]]		[[Category:Virtual reality headsets]]
	[[Category:VPL Research]]		[[Category:VPL Research]]

Xinreality at 09:49, 26 June 2025

2025-06-26T09:49:05Z

Xinreality at 09:46, 26 June 2025

2025-06-26T09:46:13Z

Show changes

Xinreality: Created page with "{{Device Infobox |image = |VR/AR = Virtual Reality |Type = Head-mounted display |Subtype = PC-Powered VR |Platform = |Creator = Jaron Lanier |Developer = VPL Research |Manufacturer = VPL Research |Announcement Date = 1987 |Release Date = 1987 |Price = $9,400 (EyePhone 1), $49,000 (EyePhone HRX) |Website = |Versions = EyePhone 1, EyePhone HRX |Requires = High-end computer system |Predecessor = |Successor = |Operating System = |Chipset = |CPU = |GPU =..."

2025-06-26T09:43:01Z

Created page with "{{Device Infobox |image = |VR/AR = Virtual Reality |Type = Head-mounted display |Subtype = PC-Powered VR |Platform = |Creator = Jaron Lanier |Developer = VPL Research |Manufacturer = VPL Research |Announcement Date = 1987 |Release Date = 1987 |Price = $9,400 (EyePhone 1), $49,000 (EyePhone HRX) |Website = |Versions = EyePhone 1, EyePhone HRX |Requires = High-end computer system |Predecessor = |Successor = |Operating System = |Chipset = |CPU = |GPU =..."

New page

{{Device Infobox
|image =
|VR/AR = Virtual Reality
|Type = Head-mounted display
|Subtype = PC-Powered VR
|Platform =
|Creator = [[Jaron Lanier]]
|Developer = [[VPL Research]]
|Manufacturer = [[VPL Research]]
|Announcement Date = 1987
|Release Date = 1987
|Price = $9,400 (EyePhone 1), $49,000 (EyePhone HRX)
|Website =
|Versions = EyePhone 1, EyePhone HRX
|Requires = High-end computer system
|Predecessor =
|Successor =
|Operating System =
|Chipset =
|CPU =
|GPU =
|HPU =
|Storage =
|Memory =
|SD Card Slot = No
|Display = [[LCD]]
|Subpixel Layout =
|Peak Brightness =
|Resolution = 320 × 240 per eye
|Refresh Rate = 30 Hz
|Pixel Density =
|Persistence =
|Precision =
|Field of View = 108°
|Horizontal FoV =
|Vertical FoV =
|Visible FoV =
|Rendered FoV =
|Binocular Overlap =
|Average Pixel Density =
|Peak Pixel Density =
|Foveated Rendering = No
|Optics = [[Fresnel lenses]]
|Ocularity = Binocular
|IPD Range =
|Adjustable Diopter =
|Passthrough = No
|Tracking = 3 [[DoF]]
|Tracking Frequency =
|Base Stations = No
|Eye Tracking = No
|Face Tracking = No
|Hand Tracking = Yes (with DataGlove)
|Body Tracking = Yes (with DataSuit)
|Rotational Tracking = Yes
|Positional Tracking = No
|Update Rate =
|Tracking Volume =
|Play Space =
|Latency =
|Audio = Stereo headphones
|Microphone =
|3.5mm Audio Jack =
|Camera = No
|Connectivity = Wired to computer
|Ports =
|Wired Video = Yes
|Wireless Video = No
|WiFi = No
|Bluetooth = No
|Power = External
|Battery Capacity = N/A
|Battery Life = N/A
|Charge Time = N/A
|Dimensions =
|Weight = ~2.5 kg (5.5 pounds)
|Material = Plastic
|Headstrap = Fixed around-the-head fitting
|Haptics = No
|Color = Beige
|Sensors = Head tracking sensors
|Input = [[DataGlove]] (sold separately)
|Compliance =
|Size =
|Cable Length =
}}

The '''EyePhone''' was a pioneering [[virtual reality]] [[head-mounted display]] (HMD) developed by [[VPL Research]] and released in 1987.<ref name="wikipedia">Wikipedia. "EyePhone". July 27, 2022.</ref> Created by [[Jaron Lanier]], who coined the term "virtual reality,"<ref name="vrs">Virtual Reality Society. "VPL Research Jaron Lanier". July 13, 2017.</ref> the EyePhone was one of the first commercially available VR headsets and played a significant role in the early development of virtual reality technology.

==History==
===Company Background===
[[VPL Research]] was founded in 1984 by [[Jaron Lanier]] in a corner of his cottage in [[Palo Alto]], California.<ref name="flashbak">Flashbak. "Jaron Lanier's EyePhone: Head And Glove Virtual Reality In The 1980s". November 24, 2014.</ref> The company name "VPL" stood for "Virtual Programming Languages."<ref name="wiki-vpl">Wikipedia. "VPL Research". May 26, 2025.</ref> VPL Research became one of the first companies to develop and sell virtual reality products, with funding that came in part from [[Marvin Minsky]].<ref name="wiki-vpl"/>

===Development and Release===
The EyePhone was announced and brought to market in 1987.<ref name="britannica">Britannica. "VPL DataGlove".</ref> It was displayed at various technology conferences, including the Texpo Telecommunications Show in San Francisco on June 7, 1989.<ref name="flashbak"/> Despite being marketed as a revolutionary VR device, the EyePhone was primarily a research device due to its high cost and technical limitations.<ref name="wiki-vpl"/>

===Commercial Models===
VPL Research offered two versions of the EyePhone:
* '''EyePhone 1''' - Priced at $9,400<ref name="delta2020">Delta2020. "Here's what you didn't know about the history of Virtual Reality".</ref>
* '''EyePhone HRX''' - A high-resolution version priced at $49,000<ref name="delta2020"/>

The complete system, including the computers required to run it, cost upwards of $250,000,<ref name="wiki-vpl"/> making it inaccessible to most consumers and limiting its use to research institutions and specialized applications.

==Technical Specifications==
===Display Technology===
The EyePhone featured:
* '''Resolution''': 320 × 240 pixels per eye<ref name="vrcompare">VRcompare. "VPL EyePhone: Full Specification".</ref>
* '''Field of View''': 108° diagonal<ref name="vrcompare"/>
* '''Display Type''': [[LCD]] screens that provided slightly different images to each eye to create stereoscopic 3D<ref name="vrs"/>
* '''Optics''': [[Fresnel lenses]]<ref name="wiki-vpl"/>
* '''Refresh Rate''': The device had significant performance limitations, with sources reporting it could only generate 5-6 frames per second in practical use,<ref name="flashbak"/><ref name="wiki-vpl"/> though theoretical specifications claimed 30 Hz<ref name="vrcompare"/>

===Physical Design===
The EyePhone had a distinctive design:
* '''Weight''': Approximately 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds)<ref name="nextweb">The Next Web. "Virtual reality video demonstration from 1990 is a blast from the past". November 14, 2016.</ref>
* '''Color''': Beige plastic construction<ref name="cbinsights">CB Insights. "VPL Research - Products, Competitors, Financials".</ref>
* '''Form Factor''': Fixed around-the-head fitting<ref name="cbinsights"/>
* '''Audio''': Built-in stereo headphones<ref name="vrs"/>

===Tracking Capabilities===
The EyePhone featured:
* '''Degrees of Freedom''': 3 DoF (three degrees of freedom) for rotational head tracking<ref name="vrcompare"/>
* '''Tracking Type''': Head movement tracking without physical tethers to fixed points<ref name="cbinsights"/>
* '''Positional Tracking''': Not supported

==VPL Ecosystem==
The EyePhone was part of a larger ecosystem of VR products developed by VPL Research:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Product !! Function !! Price
|-
| [[DataGlove]] || Hand tracking and interaction device with fiber-optic sensors || $9,000<ref name="delta2020"/>
|-
| [[DataSuit]] || Full-body tracking suit with sensors for arms, legs, and trunk || N/A
|-
| AudioSphere || 3D spatial audio system || N/A
|-
| Isaac || Real-time 3D visual rendering engine || N/A
|-
| Body Electric || Visual programming language for VR || N/A
|-
| RB2 (Reality Built for Two) || Complete multi-user VR system || N/A
|}

The [[DataGlove]], which was brought to market in 1987 and appeared on the cover of [[Scientific American]] in October of that year,<ref name="britannica"/> became one of the most iconic VR input devices. VPL later licensed the DataGlove technology to [[Mattel]], which used it to create the [[Power Glove]] for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]].<ref name="wiki-vpl"/>

==Software and Applications==
===Programming Environment===
VPL Research developed several software components for the EyePhone system:
* '''Body Electric''' - A visual programming language used to control and program all VR components<ref name="vrs"/>
* '''Isaac''' - A real-time 3D visual rendering engine that worked with Body Electric to create virtual environments<ref name="vrs"/>

===Demonstrated Applications===
The EyePhone was demonstrated with various applications at technology conferences, allowing users to:
* Navigate through virtual environments
* Manipulate virtual objects using the DataGlove
* Experience "Reality Built for Two" (RB2) - shared virtual reality experiences where multiple users could interact in the same virtual space<ref name="technes">TECHNES Encyclopedia. "VPL Research EyePhone".</ref>

==Cultural Impact==
===Media Appearances===
The EyePhone and other VPL Research products gained significant media attention:
* Featured in the 1992 science fiction film "[[The Lawnmower Man]]," which used actual VR equipment from VPL Research labs<ref name="wiki-vpl"/><ref name="teslasuit">Teslasuit Blog. "The History of Virtual Reality: Ultimate Guide. Part 1". September 26, 2022.</ref>
* Covered extensively in technology publications of the late 1980s and early 1990s
* Helped popularize the term "virtual reality" in mainstream culture

===Legacy===
Despite its commercial limitations, the EyePhone was significant for several reasons:
* It was one of the first commercially available VR headsets
* It demonstrated the potential of virtual reality to a wider audience
* It influenced the development of subsequent VR technologies
* It established many conventions still used in VR today, including stereoscopic displays and head tracking

==Company Closure==
VPL Research filed for [[bankruptcy]] in 1990,<ref name="wiki-vpl"/> just three years after the EyePhone's release. The company's patents were eventually sold to [[Sun Microsystems]] in 1998.<ref name="wiki-vpl"/> [[Oracle Corporation]]'s later acquisition of Sun Microsystems means that Oracle now owns the original EyePhone patents, though it is unknown if anything has come of them.<ref name="vrs"/>

==Reception and Limitations==
The EyePhone faced several challenges that limited its commercial success:

===Technical Limitations===
* '''Frame Rate''': The system could only achieve 5-6 frames per second in actual use, compared to 30 fps on contemporary television sets<ref name="flashbak"/>
* '''Bulk and Comfort''': At 2.5 kg, the headset was uncomfortable for extended use<ref name="nextweb"/>
* '''Resolution''': The 320×240 per eye resolution was low even by 1980s standards

===Market Barriers===
* '''Cost''': The total system cost of $250,000 made it inaccessible to consumers<ref name="wiki-vpl"/>
* '''Computing Requirements''': Required expensive, high-end computers to operate
* '''Limited Software''': Few applications were available for the platform

==Comparison to Modern VR==
While primitive by today's standards, the EyePhone established several features that became standard in modern VR:
* Stereoscopic displays for 3D perception
* Head tracking for view control
* Integration with hand tracking devices
* Focus on immersive experiences

Modern VR headsets have dramatically improved upon the EyePhone's specifications, offering higher resolutions, better tracking, lighter weight, and more affordable prices.

==See Also==
* [[Virtual reality]]
* [[Head-mounted display]]
* [[VPL Research]]
* [[Jaron Lanier]]
* [[DataGlove]]
* [[The Lawnmower Man]]
* [[History of virtual reality]]

==References==
<references>
<ref name="wikipedia">Wikipedia. "EyePhone". July 27, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EyePhone</ref>
<ref name="vrcompare">VRcompare. "VPL EyePhone: Full Specification". https://vr-compare.com/headset/vpleyephone</ref>
<ref name="wiki-vpl">Wikipedia. "VPL Research". May 26, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VPL_Research</ref>
<ref name="flashbak">Flashbak. "Jaron Lanier's EyePhone: Head And Glove Virtual Reality In The 1980s". November 24, 2014. https://flashbak.com/jaron-laniers-eyephone-head-and-glove-virtual-reality-in-the-1980s-26180/</ref>
<ref name="vrs">Virtual Reality Society. "VPL Research Jaron Lanier". July 13, 2017. https://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality-profiles/vpl-research.html</ref>
<ref name="britannica">Britannica. "VPL DataGlove". https://www.britannica.com/technology/VPL-DataGlove</ref>
<ref name="delta2020">Delta2020. "Here's what you didn't know about the history of Virtual Reality". https://delta2020.com/blog/221-here-s-what-you-didn-t-know-about-the-history-of-virtual-reality</ref>
<ref name="nextweb">The Next Web. "Virtual reality video demonstration from 1990 is a blast from the past". November 14, 2016. https://thenextweb.com/news/virtual-reality-1990-japan</ref>
<ref name="cbinsights">CB Insights. "VPL Research - Products, Competitors, Financials". https://www.cbinsights.com/company/vpl-research</ref>
<ref name="technes">TECHNES Encyclopedia. "VPL Research EyePhone". https://encyclo-technes.org/en/base/60195x/4998</ref>
<ref name="teslasuit">Teslasuit Blog. "The History of Virtual Reality: Ultimate Guide. Part 1". September 26, 2022. https://teslasuit.io/blog/history-of-virtual-reality-ultimate-guide/</ref>
</references>

[[Category:Virtual reality headsets]]
[[Category:VPL Research]]
[[Category:Head-mounted displays]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1987]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1987]]
[[Category:1980s in video gaming]]
[[Category:History of virtual reality]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:49, 26 June 2025
Line 86:		Line 86:
	}}		}}

	The '''EyePhone''' was a pioneering [[virtual reality]] [[head-mounted display]] (HMD) developed by [[VPL Research]] and released in June 1989.<ref name="wikipedia">Wikipedia. "EyePhone". July 27, 2022.</ref> Created by [[Jaron Lanier]] and [[Thomas G. Zimmerman]], with Lanier having coined the term "virtual reality,"<ref name="vrs">Virtual Reality Society. "VPL Research Jaron Lanier". July 13, 2017.</ref> the EyePhone was one of the first commercially available VR headsets and played a significant role in the early development of virtual reality technology.		The '''EyePhone''' was a pioneering [[virtual reality]] [[head-mounted display]] (HMD) developed by [[VPL Research]] and released in June 1989.<ref name="wikipedia">Wikipedia. "EyePhone". July 27, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EyePhone</ref> Created by [[Jaron Lanier]] and [[Thomas G. Zimmerman]], with Lanier having coined the term "virtual reality,"<ref name="vrs">Virtual Reality Society. "VPL Research Jaron Lanier". July 13, 2017. https://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality-profiles/vpl-research.html</ref> the EyePhone was one of the first commercially available VR headsets and played a significant role in the early development of virtual reality technology.

	==History==		==History==
	===Company Background===		===Company Background===
	[[VPL Research]] was founded in 1984 by [[Jaron Lanier]] in a corner of his cottage in [[Palo Alto]], California.<ref name="flashbak">Flashbak. "Jaron Lanier's EyePhone: Head And Glove Virtual Reality In The 1980s". November 24, 2014.</ref> The company name "VPL" stood for "Virtual Programming Languages."<ref name="wiki-vpl">Wikipedia. "VPL Research". May 26, 2025.</ref> VPL Research became one of the first companies to develop and sell virtual reality products, with funding that came in part from [[Marvin Minsky]].<ref name="wiki-vpl"/>		[[VPL Research]] was founded in 1984 by [[Jaron Lanier]] in a corner of his cottage in [[Palo Alto]], California.<ref name="flashbak">Flashbak. "Jaron Lanier's EyePhone: Head And Glove Virtual Reality In The 1980s". November 24, 2014. https://flashbak.com/jaron-laniers-eyephone-head-and-glove-virtual-reality-in-the-1980s-26180/</ref> The company name "VPL" stood for "Virtual Programming Languages."<ref name="wiki-vpl">Wikipedia. "VPL Research". May 26, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VPL_Research</ref> VPL Research became one of the first companies to develop and sell virtual reality products, with funding that came in part from [[Marvin Minsky]].<ref name="wiki-vpl"/>

	===Development and Release===		===Development and Release===
	The EyePhone was announced and brought to market in June 1989.<ref name="britannica">Britannica. "VPL DataGlove".</ref> It was first demonstrated at the [[SIGGRAPH]] "Tomorrow's Realities" exhibit on June 1, 1989, followed by extensive press coverage in ''[[TIME]]'' and ''[[Analog Science Fiction & Fact]]'' that popularized the phrase "virtual reality" in mainstream media.<ref name="time90">TIME. "Technology: (Mis)Adventures in Cyberspace". November 5, 1990.</ref> The device was later displayed at various technology conferences, including the Texpo Telecommunications Show in San Francisco on June 7, 1989.<ref name="flashbak"/> Despite being marketed as a revolutionary VR device, the EyePhone was primarily a research device due to its high cost and technical limitations.<ref name="wiki-vpl"/>		The EyePhone was announced and brought to market in June 1989.<ref name="britannica">Britannica. "VPL DataGlove". https://www.britannica.com/technology/VPL-DataGlove</ref> It was first demonstrated at the [[SIGGRAPH]] "Tomorrow's Realities" exhibit on June 1, 1989, followed by extensive press coverage in ''[[TIME]]'' and ''[[Analog Science Fiction & Fact]]'' that popularized the phrase "virtual reality" in mainstream media.<ref name="time90">TIME. "Technology: (Mis)Adventures in Cyberspace". November 5, 1990.</ref> The device was later displayed at various technology conferences, including the Texpo Telecommunications Show in San Francisco on June 7, 1989.<ref name="flashbak"/> Despite being marketed as a revolutionary VR device, the EyePhone was primarily a research device due to its high cost and technical limitations.<ref name="wiki-vpl"/>

	===Commercial Models===		===Commercial Models===
Line 115:		Line 115:
	The EyePhone featured:		The EyePhone featured:
	* '''Display Type''': Dual active-matrix [[LCD]] panels that provided slightly different images to each eye to create stereoscopic 3D<ref name="vrs"/>		* '''Display Type''': Dual active-matrix [[LCD]] panels that provided slightly different images to each eye to create stereoscopic 3D<ref name="vrs"/>
	* '''Resolution''': Varied by model - 185 × 138 (Model 1), 320 × 240 (Model 2 LX), 720 × 480 (Model HRX) pixels per eye<ref name="vrcompare">VRcompare. "VPL EyePhone: Full Specification".</ref>		* '''Resolution''': Varied by model - 185 × 138 (Model 1), 320 × 240 (Model 2 LX), 720 × 480 (Model HRX) pixels per eye<ref name="vrcompare">VRcompare. "VPL EyePhone: Full Specification". https://vr-compare.com/headset/vpleyephone</ref>
	* '''Field of View''': 90°-108° horizontal (model dependent), 75° vertical<ref name="vrcompare"/>		* '''Field of View''': 90°-108° horizontal (model dependent), 75° vertical<ref name="vrcompare"/>
	* '''Optics''': Modified [[LEEP optics]] design with [[Fresnel lenses\|Fresnel condensing lenses]]<ref name="wiki-vpl"/>		* '''Optics''': Modified [[LEEP optics]] design with [[Fresnel lenses\|Fresnel condensing lenses]]<ref name="wiki-vpl"/>
Line 123:		Line 123:
	===Physical Design===		===Physical Design===
	The EyePhone had a distinctive design:		The EyePhone had a distinctive design:
	* '''Weight''': 200 grams (visor only), approximately 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds) for complete system with cables<ref name="nextweb">The Next Web. "Virtual reality video demonstration from 1990 is a blast from the past". November 14, 2016.</ref>		* '''Weight''': 200 grams (visor only), approximately 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds) for complete system with cables<ref name="nextweb">The Next Web. "Virtual reality video demonstration from 1990 is a blast from the past". November 14, 2016. https://thenextweb.com/news/virtual-reality-1990-japan</ref>
	* '''Color''': Beige plastic construction<ref name="cbinsights">CB Insights. "VPL Research - Products, Competitors, Financials".</ref>		* '''Color''': Beige plastic construction<ref name="cbinsights">CB Insights. "VPL Research - Products, Competitors, Financials". https://www.cbinsights.com/company/vpl-research</ref>
	* '''Form Factor''': Stiff fabric headstrap without counterweight<ref name="meester">Meester, Raymond. "The circle of VR. Part 1: A brief history of consumer…". Medium. November 19, 2023.</ref>		* '''Form Factor''': Stiff fabric headstrap without counterweight<ref name="meester">Meester, Raymond. "The circle of VR. Part 1: A brief history of consumer…". Medium. November 19, 2023. https://medium.com/@raymond_meester/the-circle-of-vr-f9be78d63e88</ref>
	* '''Audio''': Built-in stereo headphones<ref name="vrs"/>		* '''Audio''': Built-in stereo headphones<ref name="vrs"/>
	* '''IPD Adjustment''': Adjustable interpupillary distance<ref name="vrcompare"/>		* '''IPD Adjustment''': Adjustable interpupillary distance<ref name="vrcompare"/>
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	The EyePhone featured:		The EyePhone featured:
	* '''Degrees of Freedom''': 3 DoF (three degrees of freedom) for rotational head tracking<ref name="vrcompare"/>		* '''Degrees of Freedom''': 3 DoF (three degrees of freedom) for rotational head tracking<ref name="vrcompare"/>
	* '''Tracking System''': [[Polhemus]] FASTRAK electromagnetic sensor<ref name="polhemus">Webster, R.; Clark, A. "EyePhone HMD and DataGlove with Polhemus tracking system". ResearchGate. 2015.</ref>		* '''Tracking System''': [[Polhemus]] FASTRAK electromagnetic sensor<ref name="polhemus">Webster, R.; Clark, A. "EyePhone HMD and DataGlove with Polhemus tracking system". ResearchGate. 2015. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/</ref>
	* '''Tracking Frequency''': 60 Hz<ref name="polhemus"/>		* '''Tracking Frequency''': 60 Hz<ref name="polhemus"/>
	* '''Latency''': Less than 50 ms when coupled with SGI rendering<ref name="polhemus"/>		* '''Latency''': Less than 50 ms when coupled with SGI rendering<ref name="polhemus"/>
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	! Product !! Function !! Price		! Product !! Function !! Price
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[DataGlove]] \|\| Hand tracking and interaction device with fiber-optic sensors and 6502 microcontrollers \|\| $9,000<ref name="delta2020">Delta2020. "Here's what you didn't know about the history of Virtual Reality".</ref>		\| [[DataGlove]] \|\| Hand tracking and interaction device with fiber-optic sensors and 6502 microcontrollers \|\| $9,000<ref name="delta2020">Delta2020. "Here's what you didn't know about the history of Virtual Reality". https://delta2020.com/blog/221-here-s-what-you-didn-t-know-about-the-history-of-virtual-reality</ref>
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[DataSuit]] \|\| Full-body tracking suit with sensors for arms, legs, and trunk \|\| N/A		\| [[DataSuit]] \|\| Full-body tracking suit with sensors for arms, legs, and trunk \|\| N/A
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	* '''Web Dance''' - A virtual auditorium for multi-user experiences<ref name="acm"/>		* '''Web Dance''' - A virtual auditorium for multi-user experiences<ref name="acm"/>
	* '''NASA Research''' - Data visualization spaces used for teleoperation research<ref name="acm"/>		* '''NASA Research''' - Data visualization spaces used for teleoperation research<ref name="acm"/>
	* '''Reality Built for Two (RB2)''' - Shared virtual reality experiences where multiple users could interact in the same virtual space<ref name="technes">TECHNES Encyclopedia. "VPL Research EyePhone".</ref>		* '''Reality Built for Two (RB2)''' - Shared virtual reality experiences where multiple users could interact in the same virtual space<ref name="technes">TECHNES Encyclopedia. "VPL Research EyePhone". https://encyclo-technes.org/en/base/60195x/4998</ref>

	==Cultural Impact==		==Cultural Impact==
	===Media Appearances===		===Media Appearances===
	The EyePhone and other VPL Research products gained significant media attention:		The EyePhone and other VPL Research products gained significant media attention:
	* Featured in the 1992 science fiction film "[[The Lawnmower Man]]," which used actual VR equipment from VPL Research labs<ref name="wiki-vpl"/><ref name="teslasuit">Teslasuit Blog. "The History of Virtual Reality: Ultimate Guide. Part 1". September 26, 2022.</ref>		* Featured in the 1992 science fiction film "[[The Lawnmower Man]]," which used actual VR equipment from VPL Research labs<ref name="wiki-vpl"/><ref name="teslasuit">Teslasuit Blog. "The History of Virtual Reality: Ultimate Guide. Part 1". September 26, 2022. https://teslasuit.io/blog/history-of-virtual-reality-ultimate-guide/</ref>
	* Covered extensively in technology publications of the late 1980s and early 1990s		* Covered extensively in technology publications of the late 1980s and early 1990s
	* Helped popularize the term "virtual reality" in mainstream culture through coverage in ''TIME'' and ''Analog Science Fiction & Fact''<ref name="time90"/>		* Helped popularize the term "virtual reality" in mainstream culture through coverage in ''TIME'' and ''Analog Science Fiction & Fact''<ref name="time90"/>
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	* It influenced the development of subsequent VR technologies		* It influenced the development of subsequent VR technologies
	* It established many conventions still used in VR today, including stereoscopic displays and head tracking		* It established many conventions still used in VR today, including stereoscopic displays and head tracking
	* The device survives in museum collections and has become a sought-after artifact of the first VR boom<ref name="listhead">Wikipedia. "List of virtual reality headsets". 2025.</ref>		* The device survives in museum collections and has become a sought-after artifact of the first VR boom<ref name="listhead">Wikipedia. "List of virtual reality headsets". 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_virtual_reality_headsets</ref>

	==Company Closure==		==Company Closure==