VRTUL - ROV VR Piloting System

VRTUL (Virtual Reality Technology Underwater Limited) is considered one of the leading experts in native human vision UW and UW VR camera system development. We created the first ever 360 3D underwater camera system used by BBC, Discovery, and National Geographic. We also developed the first ever underwater 360 live broadcast camera system used by ABC Good Morning America. Of most relevance, in August 2019 we released a first of its kind ROV VR piloting system on the Doc Rickett’s ROV owned by Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI).  In developing an ROV VR camera system it could be easily assumed that if the technical requirements are met such as weight, depth rating, and synchronization that the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) and combat diver would be satisfied. Most people could easily assume that if you can fit 4x - 8x cameras in a housing and get a live 360 stream then the project is a success and the work is done. However, we do not view the needs of the project as such and see deeply human-centered design considerations that are required. ROV VR consists of five major elements that make it a commercial ready and viable product. ROV VR enables intuitive operation and ease of use for all buttons which anyone can manage. If the combat diver has a personal preference in the button overlays and features, we work closely to customize the ROV VR to ensure they personally consider a seamless and easy deployment capability.