VRX

Since 1999, VRX has strived to change the world by seamlessly integrating advanced technology and meticulously crafted hardware to create unique and innovative simulation experiences.

Finalist for:
Technology Company of the Year (11-49 employees)

When – and how – was your company born?
Almost 45 years ago, CEO and Visionary, Robert Stanners, watched Speed Racer for the first time. It was then, at seven years old, that the idea for VRX was born.

Originally Virtual Racer X, VRX Simulators pioneered the first turnkey racing simulator solution for the consumer market in 1999. With key moments that include partnering with Turn 10 studios to debut Forza Motorsport at Road Atlanta and building the world’s first Connected Car simulator with Toyota and Microsoft, VRX continues to revolutionize the way humans interact with technology.

With a strong determination for constant development and forming partnerships with the biggest players in the technology and gaming industries, VRX has strived to become the most advanced interactive simulation company in the world.

Who are some of your clients? What projects are you working on right now, and what do they do?
Some of the projects that VRX has worked on includes the Toyota and Microsoft Connected Car, which is a two seat simulator packed with cameras, sensors, and other monitoring equipment designed to capture the emotions, behaviour, and reactions of drivers put through a variety of scenarios. The data collected from the simulators, which are housed in both the Microsoft and Toyota headquarters, in Seattle and Plano, respectively, is used to develop the technology found in real-world vehicles.

With projects ranging from advanced simulation and the development of new technology, all the way to creating new and immersive solutions for entertainment, VRX’s portfolio extends to some of the biggest names in a variety of industries. These names include IMAX, Breitling, Intel, Cineplex, and Hyundai.

What was a pivotal moment for your company?
In February 2018, VRX announced a partnership with Jeffrey Earnhardt, an up and coming driver in the Monster Energy NASCAR series. This partnership was launched in order to bridge the gap between simulation and real-world driver development. The Earnhardt name is legendary in NASCAR, and VRX was determined to form the relationship in order to bring a unique perspective to the industry, both for the fans and the drivers.

As technology improves, and the emergence of VR/AR technologies continues to make waves all over the world, fans of motorsport are continually looking for new and exciting ways to enjoy their passion. For the past several years, the motorsports industry has remained relatively stagnant in terms of how it engages fans. VRX saw an opportunity to change that by bringing the VRX Motorsports Experience to NASCAR and fans of motorsports all over the world.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned along the way?
One of the most important things that VRX had learned along the way is the sense that it takes innovation and vision to show the world what it wants before it even knows it. Being in business for almost 20 years, VRX started out looking to provide an accurate and low-cost training solution for drivers in an industry that was becoming increasingly more expensive. The technology to accomplish the vision that VRX had at the time was sparse and not cost effective. Nevertheless, VRX continued to develop products and eventually caught the attention of Microsoft and Turn 10 studios, the people behind the extremely successful Forza Motorsports franchise. It was at this point that VRX realized they were on to something.

Fast forward 13 years from 2005, VRX has brought racing and VR entertainment to an industry that has just recently began thinking about it. Being a small business, the resources to make its dreams a reality are not always readily available, but with the right relationships and vision, VRX continues to be a part of moving the industry forward.

What does the future 10 years look like for your company?
With the technology needed to build the vision that VRX has had for almost 20 years finally coming to fruition, VRX is starting to build momentum. With the partnerships that have been developed over the past five years, VRX has positioned itself as an integrator, fusing large entertainment chains with small but talented content providers. With the connections VRX has built over the years, the goal is to bring several projects such as VRX Live – the ability to control full-size vehicles remotely with full motion feedback, in VRX, in real-time – and VRX Esports – the revolutionary end to end e-gaming tournament platform that will be rolled out across up to 1,000 theatres across Canada, the US, and Mexico.

By leveraging these partnerships, VRX can bring itself to the frontier of entertainment and interactivity by putting the various pieces of the puzzle together and follow in Disney’s footsteps by creating a truly immersive and interactive entertainment complex called VRX World.

Why Victoria?
Victoria is the CEO’s (Robert Stanners) hometown. Starting VRX in his garage in 1999, the company has continued to grow and prosper organically. With close relationships with family businesses such as Titan Boats, owned by brother John Stanners, and educational institutions like Camosun College, VRX continues to leverage the close proximity of its supply chain and the talented labour force that has been brought up through the years.

With a global vision, VRX will look to expand operations to other countries, but Victoria will remain the heart of VRX with its headquarters remaining on Vancouver Island.