UCL VR Lab Upgraded With New Projection

ST Engineering Antycip (Antycip), Europe’s provider of simulation and virtual training solutions, has upgraded the VR Lab’s immersive room at University College London (UCL), using next-generation projection technology. The upgrade replaces projectors installed in 2012 with four Barco UDM 4K laser projectors, delivering brighter contrast, richer color, and 4K resolution per channel. RF-synchronized stereoscopic eyewear and fibre optic cabling further improve usability and reliability.

The lab, first commissioned in 2000 and upgraded through multiple technology generations, supports research in virtual reality, mixed reality, human–computer interaction, biomechanics, and robotics. It hosts studies ranging from foveated rendering and avatar interaction to AI-driven behavior and multi-sensory simulation. Projection-based systems remain preferred for research requiring high immersion beyond head-mounted displays.

“Our previous projection system had served us well for over a decade, but spare parts were becoming impossible to find, and performance had started to lag behind what is needed for cutting-edge research,” said Dr. David Swapp, Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer in Immersive Technologies at UCL. 

The new setup provides improved contrast, resolution, and system reliability, supporting UCL researchers in advancing immersive VR studies.

John Mould, Commercial Development Manager at Antycip, added, “Seeing the leap in image quality compared to its CRT origins really underlines how far this technology has come.”

The enhanced immersive room enables UCL to continue research and teaching in virtual environments, supporting studies and innovation well into the future.