Origins

The idea of enhancing human perception first arose in the Renaissance Period when artists started playing with perspective. This remained unchanged until the 20th century, when early science fiction books and films excited the public with the concept that human beings might soon experience a world created by computers. Fantasy finally became reality in the 1970s when scientists at NASA started experimenting on simulating and stimulating the human senses of sight, sound, smell, and touch. Virtual Reality, or VR, was born 

This is Dr Waldren

The VR Poineer

Dr Jonathan Waldern studied at De Montford University and Loughborough University of Technology where he gained his PhD. He won a scholarship to work at the Human-Computer Interface Research Unit which pioneered new ways to interact with computers. Working in collaboration with IBM Scientific Centre, he developed his first VR prototype, which was featured on BBC TV’s “Tomorrows World” in 1986.  

He founded Virtuality Ltd in 1989. Initially working from his garage, he won backing from the Wembley Company, and developed the first public virtual reality games system. This was exhibited at Wembley Stadium in 1991. Manufactured in Leicester in collaboration with Renfrew Group International, thousands of his VR systems allowed millions of people in over fifty countries to experience VR for the first time. In 1995 the team developed the first-ever consumer VR gaming headset for Atari. Today, Dr Waldern is the holder of over 170 patents.

Head Up displays 

Dr Waldern made Head Up Displays, or HUDs, a reality. His inventions in this field include augmented reality glasses which display vital information for detailed maintenance and technical inspections. Worn in a BMW motorcycle helmet, motorcyclists and ebike users can now safety navigate their route ahead. Virtual, Mixed and Augmented systems have become a multi-billion-dollar industry. All continue to be designed in Leicester, for Dr Waldern’s Virtuality Inc. team based in Silicon Valley, California.