90-12/W.ind.addr2 _Design Engineering_, December 1990 What can be considered to be the worlds first universally affordable *Virtual Reality* system is being launched at computer graphics '90. *Virtuality* developed by W INDUSTRIES, allows the userto live within a world he or she has created. Look up, down, behind and to the side - objects can be moved around and viewed from every possible angle, even from inside looking out. For instance, it will enable a car designer to sit inside his dream model before it is actually produced. Two configurations are possible - the Virtuality SU, which is designed for a person standing or moving in a scanned area and the Virtuality SD, a high quality sit-down console where simulated vehicles are driven in a virtual world. The system comprises three key components: the user's main interface with the virtual world or the *visette*. This head-worn visor system gives the wearer complete freedom of movement, allowing the user to walk or look around. It contains a stereoscopic viewing system and provides a four channel sound system for vectored sound and a tracking sensor to continuously monitor the position of the head, giving a correct view of the virtual world. The visette also posseses a configurable stereo field of between 90 and 120 degrees, depending on binocular overlap. A unique locking system, *Ergolok* enables visette to accomodate a wide range of head geometry and sizes and it has a quick release mechanism providing simple, safe removal. A second overhead adjuster enables optimum viewing positions and a comfortable fit, even for users wearing spectacles. The second component of the virtual reality system is the multi-media computer system *Expality*. Fully networked and making use of a CD ROM, it has been specifically designed for virtual reality applications and provides full multi-media output including sound, vision and motion instructions. Finally, the *Animette* simulation system, a software product developed by W INDUSTRIES has been specifically designed for demanding simulation applications which involve multi-media queueing and data-base load management. The alternative world created through the system include high definition colour graphics and a quadrophonic, digital sound system.