RenderHeads x VA Imaging
Max Reijngoudt
When real-time interaction meets precision vision technology, the result is an experience that people remember.
RenderHeads is a UK-based creative technology studio specializing in software for real-time interactive installations. As well as products for video capture & playback available on the Unity AssetStore. Known for pushing the limits of what is possible with live tracking, graphics, and gameplay, the team works with global brands to create installations that are as technically robust as they are visually engaging.
For a high-profile Salesforce event in San Francisco, RenderHeads partnered with VA Imaging to deliver a fast, reliable, and fully real-time computer vision setup at the heart of an automated golf putting experience.
By combining RenderHead’s real-time software expertise with VA Imaging’s application-driven camera specification and support, the project delivered thousands of flawless interactions over three days, without a single technical failure.
The Challenge
The brief was ambitious: build an automated golf putting game that could track a fast-moving ball in real time, predict its trajectory instantly, and visualize the entire experience live on screen.
The installation was designed for continuous public use at a Salesforce event in San Fransico, meaning it had to be rock solid from the first interaction to the last. Add to that an international deployment, extremely tight timelines, and limited opportunities for on-site
testing, and the margin for error quickly disappeared.
For RenderHeads, this was exactly the kind of challenge to thrive on, but only if the underlying vision hardware could be trusted completely.
Implementation & Testing
With the machine vision cameras delivered and specified correctly from the outset, implementation moved quickly. RenderHeads recreated putting green environment in their studio and configured the system based on the real-world installation parameters.
Using the Galaxy Viewer SDK, the team integrated the VA Imaging cameras into their Unity workflow by developing a custom plugin. This allowed the vision system to be embedded directly into a standalone executable, making the camera an integral part of the overall experience rather than an external dependency.
From the first tests through to live deployment in San Francisco, the camera system proved exceptionally stable. No lens change, reconfiguration, or troubleshooting were required, and the system ran continuously for three days without dropped frames or tracking issues.
The Solution
VA Imaging played a central role in the success of the project by translating RenderHead’s real-time tracking requirements into precise, production-ready camera solutions.
Rather than offering a generic off-the-shelf setup, VA Imaging worked consultatively with the RenderHeads team to specify the MER2-041-528U3C, a compact USB3 industrial color camera optimized for real-time object tracking, stable frame acquisition, and reliability, and suitability for interactive installations, ensuring the hardware would perform consistently under continuous public use.
The cameras were delivered rapidly, allowing RenderHeads to begin testing immediately. VA Imaging’s clear technical documentation, and prior knowledge sharing around imaging principles helped the team align their software development closely with the camera’s capabilities from the start.
Results
The live installation was a standout success.
Over the course of three days, more than 2100 people interacted with the putting game. The system maintained 100% uptime, delivering smooth, real-time tracking from start to finish.
“For me, the most important thing is trust” says Martin Robinson, Technical Director at RenderHeads. “I want hardware that just works, and this setup was rock solid the entire time.”
Why RenderHeads Chose VA Imaging
RenderHeads has worked with a wide range of camera suppliers over the years, but VA Imaging stood out for its combination of technical depth and collaborative approach.
“They really know what they are talking about” Martin explains. “And they are not afraid to educate you on what you need to know. That makes a huge difference when you are
building something this specific.”
Beyond the hardware itself, VA Imaging provided value through clear communication, honest specification advice, and long-term partnership thinking. Instead of overselling features, the focus was on selecting the right machine vision camera for the job, giving RenderHeads full confidence in the vision system throughout development and deployment.
Looking Ahead
Projects like this highlight how carefully specified vision hardware can unlock creative, real-time experiences at scale.
By combining RenderHeads’ expertise in interactive software for installations
with VA Imaging’s industrial imaging knowledge, the collaboration demonstrates what’s possible when software and hardware are designed to work together from
day one.
VA Imaging continues to support creative technology teams with application-driven camera solutions, fast delivery, and hands-on technical guidance, helping ensure that even the most ambitious real-time installations perform reliably in the real world.
Looking for a vision partner who understands both the hardware and the application? Discover VA Imaging’s machine vision solutions or explore RenderHeads’ project to see how real-time interactions come to life.
