zSpace (company)

zSpace was founded as Infinite Z in 2007. Infinite Z's virtual-holographic platform, the zSpace, was created with backing from the Central Intelligence Agency's In-Q-Tel fund, which invests in technology startups.[6] Infinite Z formally changed its name to zSpace in 2013.

zSpace found its place among relatively untapped "geospatial markets" with users who would make use of 3-D manipulation technologies.[1] Although the initial target markets were enterprise-based,[7] prospective clients began to recognize a nearly limitless potential for zSpace applications in any endeavor where 3-D study and interaction would be beneficial.[1][2][3] zSpace soon found its way into a variety of sectors including government, medicine, education and gaming.[1][2][3][8]

In 2012, zSpace was a featured product for NASA's "TechBriefs".[9] The company collaborated with NASA to be tested as interface technology for future robots, using the program to interact with simulated objects in virtual environments using its imaging displays.[10] In November 2012, zSpace released an independent software development kit.[2]

In 2014, zSpace collaborated with researchers at the University of Tokyo to develop a high speed gesture tracking system. The technology is being used in hospitals by surgeons before procedures.[11][12]

zSpace All-in-One for Education

In September 2015, zSpace announced a partnership with Leopoly, a 3D content provider and modeling platform, to create an application that enabled users to create and customize digital objects for 3D printing.[13] That same year, the company released an updated version of its desktop All-In-One (AIO) system, zSpace for Education. The new platform allowed users to manipulate an array of virtual, 3D objects including building circuitry and experimenting with gravity. The release included more than 250 STEAM (science, technology, art and math) lesson plans aligned to the Common core, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and other state standards for K-12 education.[14]

In January 2016, zSpace released a virtual reality internet browser it developed in partnership with Google Chrome's WebGL team.[15] zSpace and GeoGebra announced the release of VR Math, a mathematics application designed for all levels of education in February 2016. The software includes subjects like geometry, algebra, spreadsheets, graphing, statistics and calculus.[16][17] At the ISTE conference in June 2016, zSpace announced new Human Anatomy Atlas content as a result of its partnership with Visible Body. The company also announced that it had partnered with Google to combine zSpace's VR technology with the Google Expeditions Pioneer Program.[18] Beginning that same year, zSpace demonstrated its technology to schools across the country via its Mobile Classroom Tour. The tour allows K-12 students around the country to engage with the company's STEAM applications in a lab setting and experience a variety of different simulations.[19][20]

The company partnered with Shenzhen GTA Education Tech Ltd., and Mimbus in 2017 on automotive training and welding applications.[21][22] In 2018, zSpace announced integration with Autodesk Tinkercad as well as a partnership to bring Merriam-Webster's online dictionary.[23][24]

zSpace 200 display

At ISTE 2015, zSpace released the All-in-One for Education in collaboration with Foxconn Technology Group. The system previously consisted of a virtual reality monitor and separate computer. The updated system provides students with a realistic learning environment that aligns to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Common Core and state standards. The virtual-holographic images can be lifted from the screen and manipulated with the accompanying stylus.[25] The solution allows for group interaction as participants only need 3D glasses as opposed to VR headsets.[26][27]

The zSpace system uses a 1920 x 1080 pixel LCD screen, and the hardware switches between the left and right images through a circularly polarized light that enters the eye.[28] The glasses contain small reflective tabs that the computer uses to track where users are looking.[29] This software prevents nausea and headaches by keeping the image focused.[30][31]

At ISTE 2018, the company launched its first Windows 10 laptop for schools that integrates elements of augmented and virtual reality, to manipulate images from the screen with a stylus.[32][33] In 2019, zSpace added Career and Technical Education (CTE) to its K-12 STEAM applications, which prepare students for certifications and supplementary trainings through VR learning.[34] Students have graduated from high school with a certified nursing assistant certification using zSpace.[35]

A boy studying with zSpace display

The company's technology has been awarded Tech & Learning's "Best in Show" at the ISTE conference from 2015-19 and the magazine's "Award in Excellence" in 2016, 2017 and 2018.[36][37] In 2016, zSpace was named one of the 5 most innovative and fast-growing companies in America by Inc. magazine[38] while also ranking 143 on the Inc. 5000 list and second in the Silicon Valley Business Journal.[39][40] In 2017, zSpace ranked #305 on Inc.'s 5000 list.[41]

As of 2019, zSpace operates in more than 1,500 school districts, community colleges and universities to over 1 million students.[42][43] zSpace was recognized on the 2019 Fast Company list for the "World's Most Innovative Companies" in Education.[44] The zSpace Laptop won the 2019 Edison Award in Edutech and the Cool Tool Award for Best VR/AR Solution by EdTech.[45][46] It was named one of three Grand Prize Winners for Tech & Learning's "Awards of Excellence" for 2019.[47] zSpace was recognized as one of the "100 Best Inventions of 2019" by Time.[48]