Gloves and goggles aren't the only way to navigate virtual worlds. LEEP Systems' Cyberface 3 Virtual Reality Workstation offers another way. Looking like a cross between a submarine periscope and a desk lamp, the Cyberface is actually an exquisitely counter-balanced back-lit LCD display that is strapped on your head and rests in front of your eyes. Once in place, every turn or movement of your head is transmitted down an RS-232 serial interface to a host computer (not included).
With the appropriate software, you can use the six buttons on the top of the Cyberface to control your motion through the virtual world, using different combinations to move you forward, backward, faster, or slower. A speaker placed over each ear can be used to play synthetic stereo sound, further enhancing the illusion of reality. The counter balance kept me from getting a stiff neck even after prolonged use.
What the Cyberface lacks is binocular vision: Each eye looks at the same 71-mm-wide display. LEEP's engineers claim that stereo is overrated. In any case, I didn't notice that both of my eyes were looking at a single screen during my tour of cyberspace.
The Cyberface comes with drivers for popular modeling software such as Sense8, Straylight, VREAM, and Computer Explorations. For those who have the cash and the desk space, Cyberface can be an elegant tool for virtual exploration.
Cyberface 3 Virtual Reality Workstation: US$14,660. LEEP Systems: +1 (617) 647 1395, e-mail leep@world.std.com.
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