VirTra Systems Announces Immersa-Dome Technology
Arlington, TX – May 3, 2004 – VirTra Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: VTSI) today announced its new product for the advertising/promotional market, the spherical Immersa-Dome™.
VirTra Systems’ Immersa-Dome is the world’s first–ever individual, multi-sensory, projection-based virtual reality system.
The Immerse-Dome utilizes a domed-shaped screen, which comfortably surrounds the viewer and delivers a high-resolution virtual reality experience without a headset. Through the unique design, the Immersa-Dome offers an amazing…
view of a photorealistic environment with resolution and field-of-view nearly equaling human vision itself.
“Vision is the dominant sense for most people. Viewing an experience in the Immersa-Dome is readily comparable to a personal I-MAX® theater,” commented Bob Ferris, VirTra Systems’ president. “The Immersa-Dome offers more than our proven headset technology, such as life-like peripheral vision, ultra-high-resolution, and higher throughput via its easier use in the field.”
VirTra Systems obtained an exclusive license to the technology behind the Immersa-Dome from Flogiston Corporation, a leading innovator for NASA. “After seven years searching for the right company to commercialize my patented technology, the search is over,” stated inventor Brian Park. “VirTra Systems is the right company, at the right time, and with the right experience. In my 24 years in the simulation/VR industry, I’ve never been more upbeat about a company’s potential to succeed with my patent than I am about VirTra Systems.”
In addition to the Immersa-Dome’s unparalleled visual display, the system combines stereo sound, vibration, time-triggered scents, and wind simulation for a complete multi-sensory experience.
“The competitive advantages of this exclusive product are obvious,” remarked Tom Milks, VirTra Systems’ vice-president of advertising and promotion. “Our research and initial demonstrations have proven significantly more sales channels due to the Immersa-Dome’s reasonable cost, user-friendly interface, and superb video resolution.”
About VirTra Systems:
VirTra Systems utilizes patented technology to manufacture the world’s most advanced immersive virtual reality™ systems and 3-D experiences. VirTra Systems markets combat, marksmanship, and situational awareness/judgmental firearms training systems to military agencies such as the US Air Force, and to national and international law enforcement agencies. Using the sensations of motion, touch, sound, and smell, the company also produces custom advertising and promotional virtual reality systems for clients such as Buick, Chevrolet, Pennzoil, Red Baron™ Pizza, and the US Army. For more information, visit the corporate website at www.virtrasystems.com, or the training/simulation website at www.virtratraining.com.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally preceded by the words such as “plans,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” or “intends.” Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. VirTra Systems urges investors to review in detail the risks and uncertainties contained within its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
——————CEO Letter————————-
Friends and shareholders:
Attached please find this morning’s press release announcing our revolutionary product for the advertising/promotional market — the most exciting virtual reality video delivery hardware in the world — our brand-new "Immersa-Dome."
VirTra Systems remains the world’s leading manufacturer of promotional immersive virtual reality™ systems with the completion and launch of this exciting new Immersa-Dome™ system. This new technology is firmly expected to open a significantly greater number of opportunities for our advertising/promotion division than our decade-old headset technology.
The Immersa-Dome has superb resolution and amazing field-of-view, to the point of "immersing" users and creating the sensation of flight if desired. This groundbreaking technology delivers a superior experience without the suspected hygienic issues or inconvenience of actual head placement which came with our headset technology.
Currently, in this market VirTra offers 1) a decade-proven proprietary headset system, 2) a multi-sensory 3-D theatre system with proprietary special effects, and now 3) the patented Immersa-Dome, giving our clients the largest selection of turnkey exhibit, promotional, and event marketing products available. We have been demonstrating the Immersa-Dome for the past month or so, and suffice it at this point to say we have significant interest from numerous Fortune 500 companies, including current and former clients, for their future promotional projects.
Sales announcements are imminent.
The Immersa-Dome utilizes the latest in high-definition resolution digital video projection to provide an unparalleled degree of realism and clarity. Imagine an I-Max® theater that is neither large nor expensive – but still delivers essentially the same quality video and audio experience. Now, add to that VirTra Systems’ array of proprietary special effects, such as triggered smells, stereo sound, wind, vibration, and even motion. In addition, the system offers complete compatibility with DVDs, HD content, and I-Max converted films.
Already, ad agencies and their clients are lining up for, what is, literally, the next generation in virtual reality visual display technology. It takes just moments to realize that it is beyond anything else you’ve have ever experienced, with the possible exception of a multi-million dollar I-Max® theater – or reality itself.
In addition, it should be noted that the Immersa-Dome continues and ensures the company’s diversification. Many companies try in vain to establish an additional commercial avenue, not just for the extra revenue, but also for the insulation against potentially lean spending/revenue cycles. Not coincidentally, our exclusive patent license also contemplates the mass home market.
The next generation of virtual reality delivery is here, and VirTra Systems owns it!
While our IVR™ HD simulators are gaining fast acceptance and acclaim in the $36 billion visual simulation market, the Immersa-Dome is poised to do the same in the $126 billion advertising/promotion market, the entertainment market, and the “edutainment” market. Tom Milks, a 12 year veteran of the virtual reality industry, is currently projecting sales that eventually will dwarf the revenue from the training/simulation market. I cannot predict if that will happen, but I like how he thinks, and I have to admit that current consumer interest, the robustness of the experience, and the size of the market certainly does not preclude it.
Once you have the right team together, at the right time, yes, you can hit two grand slams in the same inning. (I have to give credit where it’s due; this is Bob Ferris’ line, but it gives you an idea of the VirTra Systems’ team spirit these days.)
Stay tuned.
These are simply my personal comments, and should not be relied upon in your investment decisions. I strongly urge you to conduct your own due diligence with regard to any investment in VirTra Systems. I respectfully refer you to VirTra Systems’ filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
–L. Kelly Jones, VirTra Systems CEO