Researchers from the University of British Columbia teamed up with researchers from the University of Saskatchewan to create a spherical virtual reality (VR) headset for a more social VR experience.

Existing spherical VR headsets, referred to as fish tank virtual reality (FTVR), can only display an image from one angle and are designed for single users. The new headset, dubbed Crystal, displays a clear image at all angles. The headset uses advanced calibration and graphics reading techniques to create the distortion-free image no matter where the user is looking. Two users can experience Crystal simultaneously, bringing a new social aspect to VR.

The headset is a 24 in hollow ball containing one camera that creates the images and four projectors that display the images. The headset also has calibration and touch capabilities.

Researchers allowed SIGGRAPH2018 attendees to test the FTVR headset by playing a specially-designed 3D two-player Pong game.

The team said that these kinds of VR displays would be useful in VR gaming, virtual surgery, VR-aided learning and more. The two-person Crystal system is currently being tested for teleconferencing and computer design environments. The team is also working on another headset that can be used by up to four people.

A paper on the new headset was published by the Association of Computer Machinery.