VPL Research

VPL Research

Company type	Private
Industry	Virtual reality technology
Founded	1984
Founder	Jaron Lanier
Defunct	1990
Fate	Declared bankruptcy; patents purchased by Sun Microsystems in 1998
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Jaron Lanier, Jean-Jacques Grimaud (Co-founder, President, VP Engineering)
Products	DataGlove, EyePhone, DataSuit, Reality Built For Two (RB2), AudioSphere

VPL Research was a pioneering company in the development and commercialization of virtual reality technologies, established in 1984 by computer scientist Jaron Lanier. The acronym "VPL" referred to "Virtual Programming Languages". The company declared bankruptcy in 1990, and later, in 1998, its patents were purchased by Sun Microsystems.

Some of the funding for VPL Research was provided by Marvin Minsky.

The DataGlove

Initially created as a computer input device, the DataGlove evolved to serve virtual reality applications. Developed by Thomas G. Zimmerman, it utilized 6502 microcontrollers. Zimmerman enlisted the programming skills of Mitch Altman during its development.

Connected directly to a computer, the glove used fiber-optic bundles to monitor hand gestures and positioning, enabling users to manipulate virtual objects in real time. Its uses ranged from computer interaction and gaming to potential applications in remote surgery.

VPL Research licensed the DataGlove technology to Mattel, which later produced the Power Glove.

The EyePhone

This head-mounted display (HMD) was among the earliest VR systems designed to immerse users within digital environments. It featured head movement tracking but was limited technically, producing only five to six frames per second—significantly less than the 30 frames per second standard for televisions at the time.

Primarily intended for research purposes, the EyePhone was demonstrated at technology exhibitions such as Texpo but was prohibitively costly for consumers, with full systems priced above $250,000. The headset incorporated Fresnel lenses to improve image clarity.

The DataSuit

A sensor-laden full-body suit capable of capturing movements of the limbs and torso, facilitating detailed motion tracking.

Team members

Research and Development

• Jaron Lanier
• Mitch Altman
• Thomas Zimmerman
• Chuck Blanchard
• Steve Bryson
• Young Harvill – Created Swivel 3D software for Macintosh virtual world design, which he licensed to VPL before becoming their fourth employee in 1985. He contributed to both the "Reality Built for Two (RB2)" VR system and the Data Glove project.
• Jeff Wright – Worked on the Embrace visual programming language between 1988 and 1991. In a 1989 publication, he discussed how VR technology could empower users to construct their own realities.
• David Levitt
• Marc deGroot
• Mark Oberman

Leadership

• Jean-Jacques Grimaud – Co-founder, President, and Vice President of Engineering

Affiliated individuals

• Timothy Leary – Following his release from incarceration, Leary pursued legal methods to investigate consciousness and collaborated with VPL staff.

In popular culture

• The Data Suit and EyePhone were featured in the 1992 science fiction movie The Lawnmower Man.
• Inspired by VPL's $10,000 Data Glove, Mattel introduced the $90 Power Glove, which became a popular holiday gift in 1989 with sales reaching 1.3 million units worldwide, although its performance with Nintendo Entertainment System games was limited.