Low-Cost and Transportable CAVE Systems

CAVE (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment) systems have become a major technology for creating immersive and interactive virtual environments. Their applications span multiple domains, including education, training, and therapy. In recent years, there has been growing interest in low-cost and transportable CAVE systems to increase accessibility and usability for broader audiences. Despite advancements, most existing CAVE systems are expensive, complex to set up, and primarily designed for research institutions and industrial applications. Low-cost alternatives exist but often remain financially inaccessible or lack the necessary flexibility for community-based interventions. Additionally, portable CAVE systems are generally restricted to indoor environments, limiting their applicability for diverse use cases. This study aims to analyze existing CAVE systems to identify their strengths and limitations concerning affordability, portability, adaptability and usability. To achieve this, we conducted a comparative analysis using data from scientific literature, patents, and grey literature, evaluating key parameters such as system components, cost effectiveness and interactivity capabilities. Based on our findings, we propose a cost-effective and transportable CAVE system architecture tailored to the needs of community organizations, designed to facilitate diverse activities and support interventions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).