VPL EyePhone: Difference between revisions
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|Type = Head-mounted display | |Type = Head-mounted display | ||
|Subtype = PC-Powered VR | |Subtype = PC-Powered VR | ||
|Platform = | |Platform = Silicon Graphics [[IRIS]]/[[Onyx]] workstations | ||
|Creator = [[Jaron Lanier]] | |Creator = [[Jaron Lanier]] and [[Thomas G. Zimmerman]] | ||
|Developer = [[VPL Research]] | |Developer = [[VPL Research]] | ||
|Manufacturer = [[VPL Research]] | |Manufacturer = [[VPL Research]] | ||
|Announcement Date = | |Announcement Date = June 1989 | ||
|Release Date = | |Release Date = June 1989 | ||
|Price = $9,400 (EyePhone 1), $49,000 (EyePhone HRX) | |Price = $9,400 (EyePhone 1), $12,500 (Model 2 LX), $49,000-50,000 (EyePhone HRX), $250,000 (complete RB2 system) | ||
|Website = | |Website = | ||
|Versions = | |Versions = Model 1, Model 2 LX, Model HRX | ||
|Requires = High-end computer system | |Requires = High-end computer system (Silicon Graphics workstation), Polhemus magnetic tracker | ||
|Predecessor = | |Predecessor = | ||
|Successor = | |Successor = | ||
|Operating System = | |Operating System = [[MS-DOS]], early [[Windows]] | ||
|Chipset = | |Chipset = | ||
|CPU = | |CPU = | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
|Memory = | |Memory = | ||
|SD Card Slot = No | |SD Card Slot = No | ||
|Display = [[LCD]] | |Display = Dual active-matrix [[LCD]] panels | ||
|Subpixel Layout = | |Subpixel Layout = | ||
|Peak Brightness = | |Peak Brightness = | ||
|Resolution = 320 × 240 per eye | |Resolution = 185 × 138 (Model 1), 320 × 240 (Model 2 LX), 720 × 480 (Model HRX) per eye | ||
|Refresh Rate = 30 Hz | |Refresh Rate = 30 Hz | ||
|Pixel Density = | |Pixel Density = | ||
|Persistence = | |Persistence = | ||
|Precision = | |Precision = | ||
|Field of View = 108° | |Field of View = 90° (Model 1), 108° (Model 2 LX), 106° (Model HRX) | ||
|Horizontal FoV = | |Horizontal FoV = 90°-108° (model dependent) | ||
|Vertical FoV = | |Vertical FoV = 75° | ||
|Visible FoV = | |Visible FoV = | ||
|Rendered FoV = | |Rendered FoV = | ||
| Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
|Peak Pixel Density = | |Peak Pixel Density = | ||
|Foveated Rendering = No | |Foveated Rendering = No | ||
|Optics = [[Fresnel lenses]] | |Optics = [[LEEP optics]] design with [[Fresnel lenses|Fresnel condensing lenses]] | ||
|Ocularity = Binocular | |Ocularity = Binocular | ||
|IPD Range = | |IPD Range = Adjustable | ||
|Adjustable Diopter = | |Adjustable Diopter = | ||
|Passthrough = No | |Passthrough = No | ||
|Tracking = 3 [[DoF]] | |Tracking = 3 [[DoF]] electromagnetic ([[Polhemus]] FASTRAK) | ||
|Tracking Frequency = | |Tracking Frequency = 60 Hz | ||
|Base Stations = No | |Base Stations = No | ||
|Eye Tracking = No | |Eye Tracking = No | ||
| Line 55: | Line 55: | ||
|Rotational Tracking = Yes | |Rotational Tracking = Yes | ||
|Positional Tracking = No | |Positional Tracking = No | ||
|Update Rate = | |Update Rate = 60 Hz | ||
|Tracking Volume = | |Tracking Volume = | ||
|Play Space = | |Play Space = | ||
|Latency = | |Latency = <50 ms (with SGI rendering) | ||
|Audio = Stereo headphones | |Audio = Stereo headphones | ||
|Microphone = | |Microphone = | ||
|3.5mm Audio Jack = | |3.5mm Audio Jack = | ||
|Camera = No | |Camera = No | ||
|Connectivity = Wired to computer | |Connectivity = Wired to computer (NTSC composite signals) | ||
|Ports = | |Ports = | ||
|Wired Video = Yes | |Wired Video = Yes | ||
| Line 69: | Line 69: | ||
|WiFi = No | |WiFi = No | ||
|Bluetooth = No | |Bluetooth = No | ||
|Power = External | |Power = External (workstation-powered) | ||
|Battery Capacity = N/A | |Battery Capacity = N/A | ||
|Battery Life = N/A | |Battery Life = N/A | ||
|Charge Time = N/A | |Charge Time = N/A | ||
|Dimensions = | |Dimensions = | ||
|Weight = ~2.5 kg ( | |Weight = 200 g (visor only), ~2.5 kg (complete system with cables) | ||
|Material = Plastic | |Material = Plastic | ||
|Headstrap = | |Headstrap = Stiff fabric strap | ||
|Haptics = No | |Haptics = No | ||
|Color = Beige | |Color = Beige | ||
|Sensors = Head tracking sensors | |Sensors = Head tracking sensors (Polhemus magnetic tracker) | ||
|Input = [[DataGlove]] (sold separately) | |Input = [[DataGlove]] (sold separately) | ||
|Compliance = | |Compliance = | ||
| Line 86: | Line 86: | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''EyePhone''' was a pioneering [[virtual reality]] [[head-mounted display]] (HMD) developed by [[VPL Research]] and released in | 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. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
| Line 93: | Line 93: | ||
===Development and Release=== | ===Development and Release=== | ||
The EyePhone was announced and brought to market in | 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"/> | ||
===Commercial Models=== | ===Commercial Models=== | ||
VPL Research offered | VPL Research offered three versions of the EyePhone: | ||
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. | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|+ EyePhone Model Specifications | |||
! Model !! Horizontal FoV !! Resolution (per eye) !! List Price !! Notes | |||
|- | |||
| Model 1 || 90° || 185 × 138 px || $9,400-10,000 || Limited pilot run for academic labs | |||
|- | |||
| Model 2 LX || 108° || 320 × 240 px || $12,500 (visor only) || Most common unit shown in demos | |||
|- | |||
| Model HRX || 106° || 720 × 480 px || $49,000-50,000 || High-res variant paired with SGI Onyx | |||
|} | |||
The complete "Reality Built for Two" (RB2) 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== | ==Technical Specifications== | ||
===Display Technology=== | ===Display Technology=== | ||
The EyePhone featured: | The EyePhone featured: | ||
* '''Resolution''': 320 × 240 pixels per eye<ref name="vrcompare">VRcompare. "VPL EyePhone: Full Specification".</ref> | * '''Display Type''': Dual active-matrix [[LCD]] panels that provided slightly different images to each eye to create stereoscopic 3D<ref name="vrs"/> | ||
* '''Field of View''': 108° | * '''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> | ||
* ''' | * '''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"/> | |||
* '''Refresh Rate''': | * '''Refresh Rate''': 30 Hz theoretical specification, though the device could only generate 5-6 frames per second in practical use<ref name="flashbak"/><ref name="wiki-vpl"/> | ||
* '''Signal Input''': NTSC composite signals<ref name="vrcompare"/> | |||
===Physical Design=== | ===Physical Design=== | ||
The EyePhone had a distinctive design: | The EyePhone had a distinctive design: | ||
* '''Weight''': | * '''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> | ||
* '''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".</ref> | ||
* '''Form Factor''': | * '''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> | ||
* '''Audio''': Built-in stereo headphones<ref name="vrs"/> | * '''Audio''': Built-in stereo headphones<ref name="vrs"/> | ||
* '''IPD Adjustment''': Adjustable interpupillary distance<ref name="vrcompare"/> | |||
===Tracking Capabilities=== | ===Tracking Capabilities=== | ||
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 | * '''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 Frequency''': 60 Hz<ref name="polhemus"/> | |||
* '''Latency''': Less than 50 ms when coupled with SGI rendering<ref name="polhemus"/> | |||
* '''Positional Tracking''': Not supported | * '''Positional Tracking''': Not supported | ||
===Platform Requirements=== | |||
The EyePhone required: | |||
* '''Graphics Workstations''': Dual [[Silicon Graphics]] [[IRIS 3000]] or [[Onyx]] workstations (one rendering pipeline per eye)<ref name="ars90">Kranzlmüller, D. "What's New in Reality Built for Two". Ars Electronica '90 proceedings. pp. 189-193.</ref> | |||
* '''Operating Systems''': [[MS-DOS]], early [[Windows]]<ref name="meester"/> | |||
* '''Authoring Station''': [[Macintosh]]-based system networked via [[Ethernet]]<ref name="ars90"/> | |||
==VPL Ecosystem== | ==VPL Ecosystem== | ||
| Line 131: | Line 150: | ||
! Product !! Function !! Price | ! Product !! Function !! Price | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[DataGlove]] || Hand tracking and interaction device with fiber-optic sensors || $9,000<ref name="delta2020"/> | | [[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> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[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 | ||
| Line 141: | Line 160: | ||
| Body Electric || Visual programming language for VR || N/A | | Body Electric || Visual programming language for VR || N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
| RB2 (Reality Built for Two) || Complete multi-user VR system || | | RB2 (Reality Built for Two) || Complete multi-user VR system || $250,000<ref name="wiki-vpl"/> | ||
|} | |} | ||
The [[DataGlove]], | The [[DataGlove]], developed by [[Thomas G. Zimmerman]], was brought to market in 1987 and appeared on the cover of [[Scientific American]] in October of that year.<ref name="britannica"/> 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== | ==Software and Applications== | ||
===Programming Environment=== | ===Programming Environment=== | ||
VPL Research developed several software components for the EyePhone system: | 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"/> | * '''Body Electric''' - A visual programming language and scripting system used to control and program all VR components<ref name="vrs"/><ref name="acm">Lanier, J. "A Virtual Reality". ACM SIGGRAPH Video Review 45. 1990.</ref> | ||
* '''Isaac''' - A real-time 3D visual rendering engine that worked with Body Electric to create virtual environments<ref name="vrs"/> | * '''Isaac''' - A real-time 3D visual rendering engine that worked with Body Electric to create virtual environments<ref name="vrs"/> | ||
* '''Swivel 3D''' - A 3D modeling application created by Young Harvill that allowed users to generate virtual worlds on Macintosh computers<ref name="harvill">VPL Research. "Swivel 3D Documentation". 1989.</ref> | |||
===Demonstrated Applications=== | ===Demonstrated Applications=== | ||
The EyePhone was demonstrated with various applications at technology conferences | The EyePhone was demonstrated with various applications at technology conferences: | ||
* | * '''SIGGRAPH 1989''' - Interactive virtual environments where users could control virtual astronaut movements<ref name="flashbak"/> | ||
* | * '''Web Dance''' - A virtual auditorium for multi-user experiences<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> | |||
==Cultural Impact== | ==Cultural Impact== | ||
| Line 163: | Line 184: | ||
* 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.</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 | * Helped popularize the term "virtual reality" in mainstream culture through coverage in ''TIME'' and ''Analog Science Fiction & Fact''<ref name="time90"/> | ||
===Legacy=== | ===Legacy=== | ||
| Line 171: | Line 192: | ||
* 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> | |||
==Company Closure== | ==Company Closure== | ||
VPL Research filed for [[bankruptcy]] in 1990,<ref name="wiki-vpl"/> just | VPL Research filed for [[bankruptcy]] in 1990,<ref name="wiki-vpl"/> just one year 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== | ==Reception and Limitations== | ||
| Line 180: | Line 202: | ||
===Technical Limitations=== | ===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"/> | * '''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"/> | * '''Bulk and Comfort''': At 2.5 kg for the complete system, the headset was uncomfortable for extended use, with the stiff fabric strap placing strain on the user's brow<ref name="nextweb"/><ref name="meester"/> | ||
* '''Resolution''': The 320×240 per eye resolution was low even by 1980s standards | * '''Resolution''': The 320×240 per eye resolution (on Model 2 LX) was low even by 1980s standards | ||
===Market Barriers=== | ===Market Barriers=== | ||
* '''Cost''': The total system cost of $250,000 made it inaccessible to consumers<ref name="wiki-vpl"/> | * '''Cost''': The total system cost of $250,000 made it inaccessible to consumers<ref name="wiki-vpl"/> | ||
* '''Computing Requirements''': Required expensive | * '''Computing Requirements''': Required expensive Silicon Graphics workstations to operate | ||
* '''Limited Software''': Few applications were available for the platform | * '''Limited Software''': Few applications were available for the platform | ||
* '''Sales''': Only a few hundred systems were sold worldwide before VPL's bankruptcy<ref name="legacy">VR History Museum. "VPL Research Legacy". 2024.</ref> | |||
==Comparison to Other Devices== | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|- | |||
! Device !! Release Year !! Resolution (per eye) !! FoV (Horizontal) !! Tracking !! Price | |||
|- | |||
| VPL EyePhone || 1989 || 320×240 || 108° || 3 DoF || $250,000 (system) | |||
|- | |||
| [[NVisor]] (NVIS) || 2003 || 1280×1024 || 44° || 3 DoF || $24,000 | |||
|- | |||
| [[Virtuality Visette]] || 1991 || 276×372 || 105° || 3 DoF || $65,000 | |||
|- | |||
| [[Oculus Rift]] || 2016 || 1080×1200 || 110° || 6 DoF || $599 | |||
|} | |||
While primitive by today's standards, the EyePhone established several features that became standard in modern VR: | While primitive by today's standards, the EyePhone established several features that became standard in modern VR: | ||
* Stereoscopic displays for 3D perception | * Stereoscopic displays for 3D perception | ||
| Line 202: | Line 238: | ||
* [[VPL Research]] | * [[VPL Research]] | ||
* [[Jaron Lanier]] | * [[Jaron Lanier]] | ||
* [[Thomas G. Zimmerman]] | |||
* [[DataGlove]] | * [[DataGlove]] | ||
* [[The Lawnmower Man]] | * [[The Lawnmower Man]] | ||
* [[History of virtual reality]] | * [[History of virtual reality]] | ||
* [[List of virtual reality headsets]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 219: | Line 257: | ||
<ref name="technes">TECHNES Encyclopedia. "VPL Research EyePhone". https://encyclo-technes.org/en/base/60195x/4998</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> | <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> | ||
<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> | |||
<ref name="polhemus">Webster, R.; Clark, A. "EyePhone HMD and DataGlove with Polhemus tracking system". ResearchGate. 2015. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/</ref> | |||
<ref name="ars90">Kranzlmüller, D. "What's New in Reality Built for Two". Ars Electronica '90 proceedings. pp. 189-193.</ref> | |||
<ref name="time90">TIME. "Technology: (Mis)Adventures in Cyberspace". November 5, 1990.</ref> | |||
<ref name="acm">Lanier, J. "A Virtual Reality". ACM SIGGRAPH Video Review 45. 1990.</ref> | |||
<ref name="harvill">VPL Research. "Swivel 3D Documentation". 1989.</ref> | |||
<ref name="listhead">Wikipedia. "List of virtual reality headsets". 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_virtual_reality_headsets</ref> | |||
<ref name="legacy">VR History Museum. "VPL Research Legacy". 2024.</ref> | |||
</references> | </references> | ||
| Line 224: | Line 270: | ||
[[Category:VPL Research]] | [[Category:VPL Research]] | ||
[[Category:Head-mounted displays]] | [[Category:Head-mounted displays]] | ||
[[Category:Products introduced in | [[Category:Products introduced in 1989]] | ||
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in | [[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1989]] | ||
[[Category:1980s in video gaming]] | [[Category:1980s in video gaming]] | ||
[[Category:History of virtual reality]] | [[Category:History of virtual reality]] | ||
Revision as of 09:46, 26 June 2025
| VPL EyePhone | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | PC-Powered VR |
| Platform | Silicon Graphics IRIS/Onyx workstations |
| Creator | Jaron Lanier and Thomas G. Zimmerman |
| Developer | VPL Research |
| Manufacturer | VPL Research |
| Announcement Date | June 1989 |
| Release Date | June 1989 |
| Price | $9,400 (EyePhone 1), $12,500 (Model 2 LX), $49,000-50,000 (EyePhone HRX), $250,000 (complete RB2 system) |
| Versions | Model 1, Model 2 LX, Model HRX |
| Requires | High-end computer system (Silicon Graphics workstation), Polhemus magnetic tracker |
| System | |
| Operating System | MS-DOS, early Windows |
| Storage | |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual active-matrix LCD panels |
| Resolution | 185 × 138 (Model 1), 320 × 240 (Model 2 LX), 720 × 480 (Model HRX) per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 30 Hz |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 90° (Model 1), 108° (Model 2 LX), 106° (Model HRX) |
| Horizontal FoV | 90°-108° (model dependent) |
| Vertical FoV | 75° |
| Foveated Rendering | No |
| Optics | |
| Optics | LEEP optics design with Fresnel condensing lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | Adjustable |
| Passthrough | No |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 3 DoF electromagnetic (Polhemus FASTRAK) |
| Tracking Frequency | 60 Hz |
| 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 | 60 Hz |
| Latency | <50 ms (with SGI rendering) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Stereo headphones |
| Camera | No |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Wired to computer (NTSC composite signals) |
| Wired Video | Yes |
| Wireless Video | No |
| WiFi | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Power | External (workstation-powered) |
| Battery Capacity | N/A |
| Battery Life | N/A |
| Charge Time | N/A |
| Device | |
| Weight | 200 g (visor only), ~2.5 kg (complete system with cables) |
| Material | Plastic |
| Headstrap | Stiff fabric strap |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | Beige |
| Sensors | Head tracking sensors (Polhemus magnetic tracker) |
| Input | DataGlove (sold separately) |
Property "Platform" (as page type) with input value "Silicon Graphics IRIS/Onyx workstations" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. Property "Creator" (as page type) with input value "Jaron Lanier]] and [[Thomas G. Zimmerman" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. Property "Operating System" (as page type) with input value "early [[Windows" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. Property "Display" (as page type) with input value "Dual active-matrix LCD panels" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. Property "Optics" (as page type) with input value "LEEP optics]] design with [[Fresnel lenses|Fresnel condensing lenses" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. Property "Tracking" (as page type) with input value "3 DoF electromagnetic (Polhemus FASTRAK)" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. Property "Latency" (as page type) with input value "" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. Property "Input" (as page type) with input value "DataGlove]] (sold separately)" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process.
The EyePhone was a pioneering virtual reality head-mounted display (HMD) developed by VPL Research and released in June 1989.[1] Created by Jaron Lanier and Thomas G. Zimmerman, with Lanier having coined the term "virtual reality,"[2] 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.[3] The company name "VPL" stood for "Virtual Programming Languages."[4] VPL Research became one of the first companies to develop and sell virtual reality products, with funding that came in part from Marvin Minsky.[4]
Development and Release
The EyePhone was announced and brought to market in June 1989.[5] 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.[6] The device was later displayed at various technology conferences, including the Texpo Telecommunications Show in San Francisco on June 7, 1989.[3] Despite being marketed as a revolutionary VR device, the EyePhone was primarily a research device due to its high cost and technical limitations.[4]
Commercial Models
VPL Research offered three versions of the EyePhone:
| Model | Horizontal FoV | Resolution (per eye) | List Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model 1 | 90° | 185 × 138 px | $9,400-10,000 | Limited pilot run for academic labs |
| Model 2 LX | 108° | 320 × 240 px | $12,500 (visor only) | Most common unit shown in demos |
| Model HRX | 106° | 720 × 480 px | $49,000-50,000 | High-res variant paired with SGI Onyx |
The complete "Reality Built for Two" (RB2) system, including the computers required to run it, cost upwards of $250,000,[4] making it inaccessible to most consumers and limiting its use to research institutions and specialized applications.
Technical Specifications
Display Technology
The EyePhone featured:
- Display Type: Dual active-matrix LCD panels that provided slightly different images to each eye to create stereoscopic 3D[2]
- Resolution: Varied by model - 185 × 138 (Model 1), 320 × 240 (Model 2 LX), 720 × 480 (Model HRX) pixels per eye[7]
- Field of View: 90°-108° horizontal (model dependent), 75° vertical[7]
- Optics: Modified LEEP optics design with Fresnel condensing lenses[4]
- Refresh Rate: 30 Hz theoretical specification, though the device could only generate 5-6 frames per second in practical use[3][4]
- Signal Input: NTSC composite signals[7]
Physical Design
The EyePhone had a distinctive design:
- Weight: 200 grams (visor only), approximately 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds) for complete system with cables[8]
- Color: Beige plastic construction[9]
- Form Factor: Stiff fabric headstrap without counterweight[10]
- Audio: Built-in stereo headphones[2]
- IPD Adjustment: Adjustable interpupillary distance[7]
Tracking Capabilities
The EyePhone featured:
- Degrees of Freedom: 3 DoF (three degrees of freedom) for rotational head tracking[7]
- Tracking System: Polhemus FASTRAK electromagnetic sensor[11]
- Tracking Frequency: 60 Hz[11]
- Latency: Less than 50 ms when coupled with SGI rendering[11]
- Positional Tracking: Not supported
Platform Requirements
The EyePhone required:
- Graphics Workstations: Dual Silicon Graphics IRIS 3000 or Onyx workstations (one rendering pipeline per eye)[12]
- Operating Systems: MS-DOS, early Windows[10]
- Authoring Station: Macintosh-based system networked via Ethernet[12]
VPL Ecosystem
The EyePhone was part of a larger ecosystem of VR products developed by VPL Research:
| Product | Function | Price |
|---|---|---|
| DataGlove | Hand tracking and interaction device with fiber-optic sensors and 6502 microcontrollers | $9,000[13] |
| 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 | $250,000[4] |
The DataGlove, developed by Thomas G. Zimmerman, was brought to market in 1987 and appeared on the cover of Scientific American in October of that year.[5] VPL later licensed the DataGlove technology to Mattel, which used it to create the Power Glove for the Nintendo Entertainment System.[4]
Software and Applications
Programming Environment
VPL Research developed several software components for the EyePhone system:
- Body Electric - A visual programming language and scripting system used to control and program all VR components[2][14]
- Isaac - A real-time 3D visual rendering engine that worked with Body Electric to create virtual environments[2]
- Swivel 3D - A 3D modeling application created by Young Harvill that allowed users to generate virtual worlds on Macintosh computers[15]
Demonstrated Applications
The EyePhone was demonstrated with various applications at technology conferences:
- SIGGRAPH 1989 - Interactive virtual environments where users could control virtual astronaut movements[3]
- Web Dance - A virtual auditorium for multi-user experiences[14]
- NASA Research - Data visualization spaces used for teleoperation research[14]
- Reality Built for Two (RB2) - Shared virtual reality experiences where multiple users could interact in the same virtual space[16]
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[4][17]
- 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[6]
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
- The device survives in museum collections and has become a sought-after artifact of the first VR boom[18]
Company Closure
VPL Research filed for bankruptcy in 1990,[4] just one year after the EyePhone's release. The company's patents were eventually sold to Sun Microsystems in 1998.[4] 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.[2]
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[3]
- Bulk and Comfort: At 2.5 kg for the complete system, the headset was uncomfortable for extended use, with the stiff fabric strap placing strain on the user's brow[8][10]
- Resolution: The 320×240 per eye resolution (on Model 2 LX) was low even by 1980s standards
Market Barriers
- Cost: The total system cost of $250,000 made it inaccessible to consumers[4]
- Computing Requirements: Required expensive Silicon Graphics workstations to operate
- Limited Software: Few applications were available for the platform
- Sales: Only a few hundred systems were sold worldwide before VPL's bankruptcy[19]
Comparison to Other Devices
| Device | Release Year | Resolution (per eye) | FoV (Horizontal) | Tracking | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPL EyePhone | 1989 | 320×240 | 108° | 3 DoF | $250,000 (system) |
| NVisor (NVIS) | 2003 | 1280×1024 | 44° | 3 DoF | $24,000 |
| Virtuality Visette | 1991 | 276×372 | 105° | 3 DoF | $65,000 |
| Oculus Rift | 2016 | 1080×1200 | 110° | 6 DoF | $599 |
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
- Thomas G. Zimmerman
- DataGlove
- The Lawnmower Man
- History of virtual reality
- List of virtual reality headsets
References
- ↑ Wikipedia. "EyePhone". July 27, 2022. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "wikipedia" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Virtual Reality Society. "VPL Research Jaron Lanier". July 13, 2017. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "vrs" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Flashbak. "Jaron Lanier's EyePhone: Head And Glove Virtual Reality In The 1980s". November 24, 2014. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "flashbak" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 Wikipedia. "VPL Research". May 26, 2025. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "wiki-vpl" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 5.0 5.1 Britannica. "VPL DataGlove". Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "britannica" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 6.0 6.1 TIME. "Technology: (Mis)Adventures in Cyberspace". November 5, 1990.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 VRcompare. "VPL EyePhone: Full Specification". Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "vrcompare" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 8.0 8.1 The Next Web. "Virtual reality video demonstration from 1990 is a blast from the past". November 14, 2016. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "nextweb" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ CB Insights. "VPL Research - Products, Competitors, Financials". Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "cbinsights" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Meester, Raymond. "The circle of VR. Part 1: A brief history of consumer…". Medium. November 19, 2023. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "meester" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Webster, R.; Clark, A. "EyePhone HMD and DataGlove with Polhemus tracking system". ResearchGate. 2015. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "polhemus" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 12.0 12.1 Kranzlmüller, D. "What's New in Reality Built for Two". Ars Electronica '90 proceedings. pp. 189-193.
- ↑ Delta2020. "Here's what you didn't know about the history of Virtual Reality". Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "delta2020" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Lanier, J. "A Virtual Reality". ACM SIGGRAPH Video Review 45. 1990.
- ↑ VPL Research. "Swivel 3D Documentation". 1989.
- ↑ TECHNES Encyclopedia. "VPL Research EyePhone". Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "technes" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Teslasuit Blog. "The History of Virtual Reality: Ultimate Guide. Part 1". September 26, 2022. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "teslasuit" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Wikipedia. "List of virtual reality headsets". 2025. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "listhead" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ VR History Museum. "VPL Research Legacy". 2024.