Local Inventor Introduces Affordable VR Technology
Thomas Nichols, an inventor from La Crosse, recognized a challenge in the world of virtual reality: the high price of VR cameras. “The camera costs $4,000!” he exclaimed, highlighting the barrier for many creators and businesses.
To address this, Nichols developed the Virtara, an innovative VR camera that easily attaches to a smartphone. “Here’s a $200 alternative that offers the same quality as those expensive cameras,” he shared, emphasizing its affordability.
Using the Virtara is straightforward—just plug in your smartphone, dock it, and connect. This setup allows users to create 180-degree VR videos without needing any professional equipment. According to Nichols, the software handles the rest, making it user-friendly.
Nichols showcased his invention at CES in Las Vegas last month, one of the world’s largest tech events. He remarked, “It validated that the business was viable, my research was correct, and I’m on the right path.”
A veteran of the Army and a graduate of Western Technical College, Nichols started his company, Visorix, less than a year ago. He believes that this technology can help local businesses and creators get noticed. “You can bring your customers into your actual space, offering them a more personal experience,” he explained.
The process is quick, too. “You can achieve impressive results in less than 30 minutes,” Nichols noted.
Zak Pearson, Dean of Business at Western Technical College, expressed pride in Nichols’s achievement, saying, “This shows when our institution, technology, and community align, amazing things happen.”
At CES, Nichols invited attendees to experience La Crosse through the VR headset. “Many people said they had never visited La Crosse. Each time I put the headset on someone, they were genuinely surprised, saying, ‘Wow, this is La Crosse? It’s beautiful!’”
Currently, Nichols is raising funds to build his first round of test devices, with plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign next year. He is also searching for beta testers to try out his innovative technology.
