Telehealth Research:
The ARTIC (Artificial Reality Testing Integration and Communication)
Lab pioneered the use of Virtual Reality, robotics and stereoscopic
imagery for customers that include Warner Brothers, Microsoft and
Gibson Guitars. In May of 1997, the Prime Minister of Canada, the
Right Honorable Jean Chretien, opened our offices by cutting a 'virtual
ribbon' with a tactile feedback device called the PHANToM.
"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.
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. The Prime Minister was led 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.
ARTIC
Lab Video
Prime Minister Jean Chretien opening the ARTIC Lab.
