In what year did the first commercial VR platform specifically for scientific equipment purchasing launch, allowing researchers to virtually test laboratory instruments before buying?

Virtual reality has dramatically changed how scientific laboratories and research facilities acquire equipment and supplies. The introduction of VR technology in scientific retail created an unprecedented shift in how researchers preview, test, and purchase complex instruments before making significant investments. Test your knowledge about this technological milestone in scientific retail history!

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2008, when LabVantage launched their VR Preview system during the global financial crisis to help labs make cost-efficient purchases
2014, when Science Immersive debuted their ScienTech VR platform at the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting
2011, when MIT's Media Lab partnered with Fisher Scientific to create the first prototype VR catalog for laboratory equipment
2017, when Thermo Fisher Scientific integrated Oculus technology into their purchasing platform following Facebook's VR expansion