Evaluation of VR-Technology: Experiments and Applications with 3-, 4- and 5-sided CAVES

November 1996, a three-sided CAVE (2 walls and floor with a screen-dimension of 2.4 m x 2.4 m each) was installed at Fraunhofer-IGD. The goal of this installation was to transfer the technology of the most exciting VR output device into industrial applications, to elaborate its usage in sectors where traditional output devices are insufficient and to integrate it in innovative application areas. Based on the experience with this installation, a five-sided CAVE (3 walls, floor and ceiling with 2.4 m x 2.4 m) was constructed and installed in our new institute building in October 1997. In this paper, some CAVE application examples will be presented: design review (architecture, construction and planning), digital prototyping (assembly / disassembly in car and ship construction), and edutainment (virtual oceanarium for EXPO'98). The advantages and technological drawbacks of CAVE-technology will also be discussed.