LEEP Systems
LEEP Systems, Inc. was an American technology company founded in 1991 by inventor Eric Howlett that specialized in the development and manufacture of virtual reality and telepresence systems. The company was primarily known for its LEEP (Large Expanse, Extra Perspective) optical system and the Cyberface line of head-mounted displays (HMDs), which were among the first commercially available virtual reality headsets and featured some of the widest fields of view in the industry at the time.
| LEEP Systems | |
|---|---|
| |
| Information | |
| Type | Private |
| Industry | Virtual Reality, Head-mounted display, Optics |
| Founded | 1991, Boston/Waltham, Massachusetts, United States |
| Founder | Eric Howlett |
| Headquarters | Waltham, Massachusetts, United States |
| Notable Personnel | Eric Mayorga Howlett (Founder, Inventor) Alex Howlett (Son, Engineer) |
| Products | LEEP Optical System Cyberface Cyberface2 Cyberface3 Cyberface4 Virtual Orbiter Videowrap |
| Website | leepvr.com |
- See also: Companies
History
Origins and Founding
LEEP Systems had its origins in the earlier work of Eric Mayorga Howlett, who invented the Large Expanse, Extra Perspective (LEEP) optical system in 1979.[1] Prior to founding LEEP Systems, Howlett operated a proprietorship called POP-OPTIX LABS from 1980 to 1990, which provided consulting services and manufactured custom optical and electronic devices.[2]
The LEEP optical system was a breakthrough in wide-angle stereoscopic optics that created a convincing sense of depth and immersion through an extremely wide field of view. The original LEEP system was redesigned for NASA's Ames Research Center in 1985 for their first virtual reality installation, the VIEW (Virtual Interactive Environment Workstation) by Scott Fisher.[3]
After seeing the potential of his optical system in virtual reality applications, Howlett formally established LEEP Systems, Inc. in 1991 to market wide angle telepresence and virtual reality systems for research and for medical and military purposes.[4] The company built upon the technology that had already been used by NASA and other organizations throughout the 1980s.
Timeline of Key Events
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1978 | Eric Howlett invents a system for wide-angle stereoscopic photography |
| 1979 | LEEP (Large Expanse, Extra Perspective) optical system is developed |
| 1980-1990 | Howlett operates POP-OPTIX LABS, manufacturing custom optical devices |
| 1983 | Patent granted for LEEP system (US4406532A) |
| 1985 | NASA Ames Research Center adapts LEEP optics for their VIEW system |
| 1988 | NASA and MIT task Pop-Optix Labs with designing LEEP format lenses for video cameras |
| 1989 | March: Original Cyberface HMD released (under Pop-Optix Labs) |
| 1991 | LEEP Systems, Inc. formally incorporated in Waltham, Massachusetts |
| 1992 | Cyberface2 released with full RGB color and wider field of view |
| 1993 | LEEP Systems receives U.S. DoD SBIR Phase I award for tele-operated rotorcraft |
| 1994 | Cyberface3 launched; Eric Howlett invents Videowrap technology |
| 1996 | Cyberface4 / Virtual Orbiter demonstrated with >150° diagonal FOV |
| 2000 | LEEP Systems licenses core lens patents to entertainment-ride integrators |
| 2005 | Operations wind down; remaining IP transferred to LeepVR Ltd. |
| 2011 | December 11: Eric Howlett passes away |
Early Products and Development
Before LEEP Systems was formally incorporated, Howlett had already begun developing VR hardware through his POP-OPTIX LABS business. In March 1989, with the release of the original LEEP Cyberface, Eric Howlett became the first to offer a commercial head-mounted display.[5] The original Cyberface technology was similar to that used in NASA's "VIEWS" (Virtual Interface Environment Work Station).
The company's innovation was grounded in Howlett's earlier work developing a wide-angle stereoscopic photography system. In 1978, he invented a system that corrected as much as possible the perspective distortions that may arise when expanding the field of view, allowing static images to be converted to 3D effects.[6] This invention received a patent in 1983 and became the foundation for LEEP's later virtual reality products.
NASA and Early Adoption
Since 1985, NASA and VPL had been using the wide-angle LEEP viewing lenses in various head-mounted display projects.[3] In 1988, NASA and a sensory research group at MIT tasked Pop-Optix Labs with designing very wide-angle LEEP format lenses for video cameras, which made wide-angle telepresence possible.
The LEEP optical system became highly influential in the early VR industry, with numerous organizations adopting the technology. The LEEP viewing optics were used in theme park attractions and in almost all of the VR headsets sold in the 1980s.[7]
Collaborations and Recognition
LEEP Systems collaborated with several prominent institutions and companies, including NASA Ames Research Center, A.F.I.T., Autodesk, M.I.T., University of North Carolina, and VPL Research. These collaborations involved the use of LEEP optics in experimental systems and products.[5]
The company received recognition for its contributions to the VR industry. Eric Howlett was referred to as "...a backbone of the [virtual reality] industry" by Matrix Information Systems. Additionally, LEEP Systems was featured in industry reports such as "Virtual Reality: The Next User Interface" by Dataquest Research Newsletter.[8]
Products
LEEP Optical System
The LEEP (Large Expanse, Extra Perspective) optical system was the company's fundamental technology. It provided an extremely wide field of view stereoscopic image that created a convincing sense of depth and immersion. The system was particularly notable for its ability to correct distortions that typically occurred in wide-angle viewing systems.
This optical system became the basis for most modern virtual reality headsets. By the late 1980s, the LEEP system provided the basis for most of the modern virtual reality headsets.[9]
Key characteristics of LEEP optics:
- Wide Field of View: Significantly wider than conventional optics of the time, crucial for creating an immersive VR experience.
- Stereoscopic Imaging: Designed to present separate images to each eye, creating a sense of depth.
- Aberration Neutralization: The system cleverly used controlled aberrations in the camera and viewing optics to achieve the wide field of view with acceptable image quality.
ARV-1 Optics
The ARV-1 Optics became the long-standing de facto standard viewing system optics for the VR industry, created by LEEP Systems/Pop-Optix Labs.[10]
Cyberface Series
The Cyberface line represented LEEP Systems' primary commercial products:
Original Cyberface (1989)
Released in March 1989, the original Cyberface was the first commercial head-mounted display from LEEP Systems (via Pop-Optix Labs). It utilized the LEEP optical system to provide a wide field of view and convincing sense of immersion. It was monochromatic but offered a very wide-angle stereoscopic view, similar to the HMD used in NASA's VIEW system. It often came as part of the LEEPvideo System 1, a standalone telepresence system that included "The Puppet," a robot head with stereo cameras and binaural microphones.[11]
Cyberface2 (1992)
Released in February 1991 and widely marketed in 1992, the Cyberface2 was a significant advancement over the original model. The Cyberface2 was a general-purpose head-mounted display system that used two 4-inch diagonal high-resolution colour LCD video panels for extremely wide-angle stereoscopic Virtual Reality.[12]
The Cyberface2 had the following specifications:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | Two 4-inch diagonal color LCD panels |
| Resolution | 479 × 234 elements (per eye) |
| Field of view | 140° horizontal with LEEP optics |
| Weight | 1927 g (67.97 oz) |
| Video input | NTSC, PAL, or RGB |
| Cost at launch | $8,100 (August 1992) |
| Notable features | "LEEP +25" optics; improved clarity; divergent optical axes; RGB input; LEEP Telehead compatibility |
The Cyberface2 was LEEP Systems' first complete colour system and the first LCD-based system to offer true RGB colour for enhanced colour crispness.[13] It offered an immersive experience that was unmatched by competitors at the time.
Cyberface3 (1994)
The Cyberface3 continued the evolution of LEEP's head-mounted display technology, with improvements to the resolution, picture quality, and overall usability of the system. This model aimed to improve clarity, reportedly offering "twice the clarity of any VR display sold for under $100,000" at the time.[14] It featured a resolution around 720x240 pixels and often used a gimballed desk mount to manage its weight, moving away from the chest counterpoise. The Cyberface3 was launched in 1994 at approximately US $14,660.[8]
Cyberface4 and Virtual Orbiter (1996)
Created in 1996, the fourth incarnation of the Cyberface system, the Virtual Orbiter, convincingly delivered the effect of floating through space as an untethered spacewalker.[6] The Cyberface4 formed the nucleus of this device, offering higher resolution than its predecessor, the Cyberface3. It featured SVGA LCD displays with a 150° diagonal field of view and an arm-mounted cradle for support.[15]
Comparison of Cyberface Models
| Feature | Cyberface (Original) | Cyberface2 | Cyberface3 | Cyberface4/Virtual Orbiter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 1989 | 1992 | 1994 | 1996 |
| Display Type | Monochromatic LCD | Color LCD (RGB) | Color LCD | Dual SVGA LCD |
| Resolution (per eye) | Limited | 479x234 or 385x119 | 720x240 | SVGA (higher) |
| Field of View (Horizontal) | Very Wide | 140-145° | Very Wide | 150° (diagonal) |
| Key Features | First commercial HMD; LEEPvideo System 1 | First LEEP color HMD; RGB input; Divergent optical axes | Higher clarity; Desk mount | Arm-mounted cradle; Untethered space-walk demo |
| Price (approx.) | N/A (as system) | $8,100 (1992) | $14,660 (1994) | N/A |
Other Products and Projects
Videowrap
Invented by Eric Howlett in 1994, Videowrap was a technology based on the optics and physiology of wide-angle vision. This technology was designed to eliminate the limited field of view in HMDs.[10]
NASA SBIR Contract
LEEP Systems won a NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to develop a remote helicopter piloting system using a wide-angle VR HMD with optical inserts for high-resolution central field of view. This system required four gimbal-mounted cameras in the helicopter and four LCDs in the HMD.[16]
Technology
LEEP Optics
The LEEP optical system was revolutionary in its approach to wide-angle viewing. The combined system gave a very wide field of view stereoscopic image. The users of the system have been impressed by the sensation of depth in the scene and the corresponding realism.[17]
The key innovation in the LEEP system was its approach to handling distortion. Rather than trying to eliminate distortion entirely (which would be optically impossible at such wide angles), Howlett's system introduced deliberate aberrations in the camera lenses that would counteract the aberrations required in the viewer to achieve an extremely wide field. This approach allowed for a much more natural and immersive viewing experience.
LEEP Systems' optics employed complementary aberrations between photographic capture and viewer lenses, enabling extreme stereoscopic FOV without edge distortion. This innovative approach became foundational for VR optics design.
Head-Mounted Display Design
LEEP Systems' head-mounted displays featured several innovative design elements:
- Wide field of view (up to 140-150° horizontal/diagonal) that was unmatched by competitors
- RGB color in later models for enhanced visual quality
- Stereoscopic 3D viewing for depth perception
- Head tracking in some models via magnetic sensors or RS-232 encoders
- Support structures (boom mounts, desk mounts, and arm cradles) to make the heavy headsets more comfortable to wear
- Experiments with high-resolution "insert" optics for the foveal region, a precursor to modern varifocal designs
Legacy and Influence
LEEP Systems played a crucial role in the early development of virtual reality technology. The LEEP optical system became the basis for most modern VR headsets, and the company's commercial products helped demonstrate the potential of virtual reality beyond research laboratories.
The wide field of view achieved by LEEP optics remained influential for decades. Palmer Luckey's first Oculus prototype in 2011 adopted the LEEP lens design.[18] This connection shows the direct lineage from LEEP's early work to modern VR systems like the Oculus Rift.
Although LEEP Systems is no longer active in its original form, its technologies influenced nearly every wide-FOV HMD built in the 1980s and early 1990s, including NASA's VIEWlab, the VPL EyePhone series, and numerous academic prototypes. Howlett's aberration-balancing lens concept remains a reference point for modern VR display researchers.
After Eric Howlett's passing in December 2011, his son Alex Howlett continued working with LEEP technology, attempting to market it to the gaming community.[19] In 2005, the remaining intellectual property and inventory from LEEP Systems were transferred to a spin-off company called LeepVR Ltd., founded by Eric and Alex Howlett.[20]
See Also
References
- ↑ Carlson, Wayne (2005). "The Large Expanse, Extra Perspective (LEEP) optical system was designed by Eric Howlett in 1979 and provides the basis for most of the current virtual reality helmets available today." Ohio State University.
- ↑ Wikipedia. "Eric Mayorga Howlett (December 27, 1926 – December 11, 2011) was the inventor of the LEEP (Large Expanse Extra Perspective), extreme wide-angle stereoscopic optics used in photographic and virtual reality systems." Eric Howlett biography article. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 National Aeronautics and Space Administration. "Virtual Interface Environment Workstations (VIEW)." NASA Technical Reports Server. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Small Business Innovation Research. "Leep Systems, Inc. - Company profile." U.S. SBIR Program. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 LeepVR website. "Eric Howlett created the LEEP Panoramic Stereo Photography system. He pursued careers in engineering, as a marketing executive and as an entrepreneur, founding several companies - all in the Boston technology milieu." About page. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Virtual Reality Society (April 1, 2020). "During the 70s and the 80s Howlett started working with optical technology, which included inventing a super wide angle stereoscopic lens system One that compensated for viewer aberration brought on by having such a wide field of view. This was called LEEP." People of VR - Eric Howlett Spotlight. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Wikipedia. "1980 to 1990 - Operated a proprietorship, POP-OPTIX LABS with revenue from consulting and manufacture of custom optical and electronic devices. The LEEP viewing optics were used in theme park attractions and almost all of the Virtual Reality Headsets (Head-Mounted Displays, or HMDs) sold in the 1980s." Eric Howlett article. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Garfinkel, Simson L. "Look Ma! No Gloves!" Wired, March 1, 1994.
- ↑ Ohio State University Pressbooks. "17.5 Virtual Spaces – Computer Graphics and Computer Animation: A Retrospective Overview." Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 LeepVR. "Cyberspeak Page." Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ LeepVR. "The Original Cyberface and The LEEPvideo System 1." Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Virtual Reality Shop (January 20, 2022). "The Cyberface2 was a general-purpose head-mounted display system that used two 4-inch diagonal high-resolution colour LCD video panels for extremely wide-angle stereoscopic Virtual Reality." LEEP Systems Inc - Cyberface 2 article. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ SID Conference. "A Wide Field of View High Resolution Compact Virtual Reality Display." SID 1992 Conference Proceedings. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ CNET. "The ghost of VR past: The long history of tech's latest love affair (pictures)." March 3, 2016.
- ↑ High Tech History. "VPL Research & Early Cyberface History." WordPress.com. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Small Business Innovation Research. "A Head‑Coupled Visual and Aural Sensor System for Tele‑operated Rotorcraft." U.S. SBIR Program, Award #66836. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Howlett, E.M. "High‑resolution inserts in wide‑angle head‑mounted stereoscopic displays." Proceedings of SPIE 1669, 1992.
- ↑ The VR Shop. "The Complete History of VR - LEEP Systems Inc - Cyberface 2." December 4, 2021.
- ↑ High Tech History (January 28, 2012). "With his passing, his son Alex (likewise a talented electronics engineer) is trying to now market LEEP to the gaming community – fertile ground for such advanced, realistic technology." Eric M. Howlett, pioneer of "Virtual Reality" article. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Virtual Reality Society. "People of VR – Eric Howlett Spotlight." Retrieved May 7, 2025.