The AI XR Podcast. The Grandfather of VR, Who Built Super Cockpits for the Air Force & 27+ XR Startups, Wants to Augment Your Brain - Dr. Tom Furness
Nov 11, 2025
Dr. Tom Furness, known as the 'Grandfather of VR', shares insights from a remarkable career in technology and design. He discusses creating the Super Cockpit for pilots, emphasizing human-centered design over tech overload. Tom reveals how VR can enhance memory and empathy through innovative learning methods, like his 'light school' initiative. He argues that future advancements in XR depend more on soft skills than hardware. With a legacy that spans military to education, Tom's vision highlights transforming VR into a tool for unlocking human potential.
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From Rocket Experiments To Military R&D
- Tom won the North Carolina state science fair and spent a week on a Navy science cruiser, which led to media attention and NASA/astronaut encounters.
- That early recognition pivoted him toward aerospace and ultimately into military R&D at Wright-Patterson AFB.
Designing The Super Cockpit
- At Wright-Patterson Tom became a flight test engineer and saw firsthand how crowded cockpits hindered pilots during high-G flight.
- That led him to prototype helmet-mounted displays and head tracking that evolved into the Super Cockpit concept.
Solve Complexity With Human-Centered Design
- Design human-centered systems: reduce cockpit clutter by moving displays onto the pilot's helmet and integrate sensing and haptics.
- Prioritize head tracking, spatial audio, and tactile feedback to align information with human perception.
