Voices of VR #1699: Announcing “The Institute of Immersive Preservation” with Avinash Changa & His XR Virtual Machine Wizardry
Dec 7, 2025
Avinash Changa, an immersive technologist and founder of WeMakeVR, discusses his groundbreaking work on the Institute of Immersive Preservation. He shares his journey from creating an early stereoscopic 360 camera to tackling the challenges of VR preservation amidst rapid technological changes. Avinash reveals his innovative solution for virtualizing GPU interactions and the institute's multi-tiered services aimed at supporting creators and media archives. His vision includes advocating for open standards and fostering broader applications in immersive media.
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Early 360 Camera Breakthrough
- Avinash built one of the first professional stereoscopic 360 cameras in 2012 and prototyped immersive playback on early DK1 headsets.
- He tested the camera on a boat in Amsterdam and observed people instinctively wave, revealing surprising social presence effects.
Users Expect Interaction
- Users expect interactivity in immersive scenes and quickly try to move or grab even passive 360 video.
- That instinct pushed Avinash to evolve from 360 video to 6DOF interactive experiences and multiplayer work.
Broken Deliverables At Festivals
- Avinash recounts repeatedly sending executables to funders or festivals only to have them unable to run the work.
- Festivals often asked for flat screen captures that failed to convey the immersive experience's value.