ARC, Alcatel gives world's first demonstration of telepresence using VisionDome; Combination of 3D digital theater and broadband networks enables new forms of communication and entertainment.

RICHARDSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 25, 1996--Alternate Realities Corp. (ARC) and Alcatel Network Systems are presenting the world's first demonstration of telepresence using the VisionDome, ARC's fully digital 3D virtual reality theater, at Comnet '96 in Washington, D.C., January 30 - February 1. The demonstration, taking place in ARC's booth, No. 486 and No. 489 on the Comnet '96 show floor, is sponsored by CMP Publications, publisher of Communications Week.

Telepresence is defined by ARC as an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment that transports participants to another place in real time. The VisionDome provides the display technology for telepresence by allowing as many as 40 people to become immersed in a VR environment without head-mounted displays or goggles. The Comnet '96 demonstration combines the unique display capabilities of the VisionDome with high-resolution video and computer-generated images transmitted over a broadband network. The combination promises new forms of communication and entertainment in areas such as collaborative design, teleconferencing, telemedicine, distance learning, and interactive theaters.

"This demonstration is telepresence like it has never been experienced before," says David Bennett, ARC's president. "With a VisionDome and Alcatel's SDVN (Switched Digital Video Network) technology, 3D computer models of a product can be reviewed by two design teams that are immersed in the same virtual environment although located a hemisphere apart. This kind of collaborative design is unprecedented."

Alcatel's SDVN is built on the company's line of 1000 AX asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switching, routing and multicasting equipment, video codecs, and synchronous optical network (SONET) technology. The Alcatel high-definition codec provides the encoding and decoding technologies necessary for this demonstration. This codec also makes it possible for high-definition video signals to travel over standard wireless or fiber optic backbone transmission networks. Other Alcatel codecs enable post-production houses, advertising agencies and others to work together on production editing in real time over the telephone network.

"This demonstration gives people a glimpse of the potential of high-bandwidth ATM technology and high-definition video transmission teamed with the immersive qualities of the VisionDome," says Jean-Luc Abaziou, Alcatel Vice President and General Manager -- Broadband Products. "Imagine going beyond teleconferencing to telepresence, with as many as 40 participants at each site immersed in a virtual environment capable of handling 3D images, high-resolution video, and stereo audio in real time -- it's possible with SDVN technology and the VisionDome."

In addition to collaborative design and new forms of teleconferencing, telepresence using the VisionDome opens up the following possible applications:

-- Teams of scientists at remote locations can simultaneously

study computer models of molecular structures while fully

immersed in the virtual environment.

-- Teams of doctors at different sites can gather together at

the same time to review 3D medical images for training or

surgical simulation.

-- Students can assemble under a VisionDome to hear lectures

and see 3D computer-generated images transmitted from

anywhere in the world.

-- Fully immersive entertainment can be made available at

multiple VisionDome sites by transmitting movies and

videos from a central studio.

"This is the first demonstration of this kind of `bigger-than-life' telepresence," says ARC's Bennett. "So, although it is very exciting, we're just scratching the surface of what we can do."

Alternate Realities Corp., founded in 1993, has its headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C., and a sales office in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. ARC is the developer and exclusive marketer of the VisionDome virtual reality theater. The company's founders, David Bennett and Ray Idaszak, specialize in research of human perception and 3D virtual environments. The VisionDome is the result of more than five years of development and four prototype systems.

Alcatel Network Systems designs, manufactures and services a full line of voice, data, video and multimedia transmission products -- such as ATM switching systems, digital cross connects, fiber optic transmission systems, optical amplifiers, microwave radios, video codecs, and network management systems. The parent company, Alcatel, is one of the world's leading communications equipment manufacturers, with plants in 32 countries and markets in over 125 countries.

CONTACT: Alcatel Network Systems

Michael Newsom, 214/996-7896

Internet: [e-mail]

or

Alternate Realities Corp.

Dan Dembicki, 810/645-5730

or

Cramblitt and Co.

Bob Cramblitt, 919/841-4599