The CAVES project was set up to overcome the very real problems with creating Virtual Environment Systems. This arose from a frustration with existing tools and methods especially in the area of authoring virtual environments; existing tools were seen to depend very heavily on having good computer programmers available and such people were both in short supply and frequently not the most suitable in terms of artistic abilities.
The other major plank for the project was cost effectiveness of presenting Virtual Reality (VR) in a (South) African context. It was anticipated that this would be highly innovative research and development project but with tremendous promise in terms of very advanced software development for our national needs that would not be undertaking elsewhere in the world. The project would tap into the markets for future entertainment, corporate presentations, virtual culture and tourism and virtual therapy.