RenderHeads x VA Imaging

When real-time interaction is paired with high-precision vision technology, the outcome is an experience that truly resonates with audiences.

For a major Salesforce event in San Francisco RenderHeads collaborated with VA Imaging to implement a fully real-time, high-performance computer vision system at the core of an automated golf putting activation.

VA Imaging is a specialist machine vision supplier focused on delivering application-driven camera solutions for demanding real-time environments. Working closely with creative technology studios and system integrators, VA Imaging supports projects where reliability, precision, and performance are critical. By combining deep technical-expertise with a consultative approach to camera specification, VA Imaging enables interactive installations that perform consistently in live, high-traffic settings. For this project, they partnered with UK-based creative technology studio RenderHeads, whose real-time interactive software expertise brought the automated golf putting experience to life.

By uniting RenderHeads’ expertise in real-time software with VA Imaging’s application-focused camera specification and technical support, the project achieved thousands of seamless interactions over a three-day period without a single technical issue.

The Challenge

The project brief set a high bar: create an automated golf putting experience capable of tracking a fast-moving ball in real time, instantly predicting its trajectory, and visualizing the entire interaction live on screen.

Designed for constant public engagement at a Salesforce event in San Francisco, the installation needed to perform flawlessly from the first user to the last. The complexity was further increased by an international deployment, extremely tight development timelines, and minimal opportunities for on-site testing, leaving virtually no room for error.

For RenderHeads, this was a challenge well within their creative scope, provided the underlying vision hardware could be relied upon completely.

The Solution

VA Imaging played a pivotal role by converting RenderHeads’ real-time tracking requirements into a precisely specified, production-ready camera solution.

Rather than recommending a standard off-the-shelf setup, VA Imaging took a consultative approach, working closely with the RenderHeads team to select a compact USB3 industrial color camera designed for real-time object tracking, consistent frame acquisition, and long-term reliability. The camera was carefully chosen for its suitability in interactive installations and its ability to perform consistently under continuous public use.

Rapid delivery allowed RenderHeads to begin testing immediately. In addition, VA Imaging’s clear technical documentation and proactive knowledge sharing around imaging fundamentals enabled the team to design software development with the camera’s capabilities from the very beginning.

Implementation & Testing

With the machine vision cameras correctly specified from the outset, development progressed efficiently. RenderHeads recreated the putting green environment within their studio and configured the system using parameter matching the final on-site installations.

Using the Galaxy Viewer SDK, the team integrated the VA Imaging cameras directly into their Unity workflow by building a custom plugin. This approach allowed the vision system to be embedded into a standalone executable, making the camera a core component of the experience rather than an external dependency.

From initial testing through to live deployment in San Francisco, the system demonstrated exceptional stability. No lens adjustments, configuration changes, or troubleshooting were required, and the installation ran continuously for three days without dropped frames or tracking errors.

Results

The live action proved to be a major success. Over the three days, more than 2100 attendees engaged with the putting game. Throughout the entire event, the system achieved 100% uptime, delivering smooth and responsive real-time tracking without interruption.

Why RenderHeads Chose VA Imaging

Having worked with numerous camera suppliers in the past, RenderHeads found VA Imaging to stand apart due to its depth of technical expertise and collaborative mindset.

Beyond the hardware itself, VA Imaging delivered value through transparent communication, honest specification guidance, and a long-term partnership approach. Rather than overselling features, the focus remained on selecting the right machine vision camera for the application, giving RenderHeads full confidence in the vision system throughout both development and deployment.

Looking Ahead

This project demonstrates how carefully specified vision hardware can enable scalable, creative, real-time experiences. By combining RenderHeads’ strengths, the collaboration highlights what can be achieved when hardware and software are designed to work together from day one.

VA Imaging continues to support creative technology teams with application driven camera solutions, rapid delivery, and hands-on technical guidance, helping ensure that even the most ambitious real-time installations perform reliably in real-world environments.