The Virtually Grand Opening of Digital Image FX's ARTIC Lab

Digital Image FX (DIFX) opened Canada's first commercial Virtual Reality lab in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on May 22, 1997. The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada, cut a "virtual ribbon" with a tactile feedback device called the PHANToM to officially open the Artificial Reality Testing Integration and Communication (ARTIC) Lab.

"It's good for Dartmouth, it's good for Nova Scotia and it's good for Canada," said the Prime Minister, referring to the opening of the ARTIC Lab. Ted Iannuzzi, Creative Director of DIFX, led the Prime Minister through interactive, computer-generated displays of the company's innovations in telemedicine, stereoscopic imaging, tactile feedback and internet web development. Guests of the grand opening viewed the high-tech ribbon cutting ceremony on a large screen through paper 3-D glasses.

"Virtual Reality is one of the many enabling technologies that the lab will develop in collaboration with its sponsors and partners," said Wayne Bell, CEO of DIFX. "When we first investigated Virtual Reality, we found that no location existed in Canada for the commercial development of this technology. The lab will act as a lightning rod to help Canada remain competitive into the next millennium."

Bell was "virtually" present at the grand opening. With the aid of video conferencing, Bell was transmitted to the opening from the Atlantic Rim Network's (ARN) Trans-Atlantic Telemedicine Summit held in Boston. Representatives from 11 nations shared experiences and innovations in telemedicine at the international conference. A member of the ARN Advisory Board and a member of its executive committees, Bell has agreed to work with several international organizations to promote and develop the use of this technology worldwide.

The ARTIC Lab will feature cutting-edge technology and the most current equipment to help organizations reap the benefits of Virtual Reality technology. DIFX is a software development company utilizing the latest in Virtual Reality technology and specializing in stereoscopic imaging, spatial 3D sound and telecommunication applications for medicine, education and industry.