New York, London, Munich, Dubai – July 9, 2025 – DataArt, a global software engineering firm specializing in data, analytics, and AI solutions, today announced its partnership with the German Lab E GmbH (operating under the brand "virtuallythere") to launch a groundbreaking virtual reality (VR) platform for psychotherapists. The innovative system enables immersive, clinically relevant exposure therapy experiences for supporting treatment of anxiety, stress, depression and other mental disorders representing a significant advancement in digital mental health solutions.
Ivan Pantykin, VP, Healthcare & Life Sciences Europe, at DataArt, said:
“Lab E have a clear vision for what therapists need, and we were able to deliver the technical foundation to make it work.
Building reliable VR experiences for psychotherapeutic settings requires careful attention to performance and security. We're pleased that the platform is already helping therapists provide better care to their patients.”
Dr. Patrik Scholler, COO and Head of Product Management at Lab E., said:
“DataArt’s professional approach to software development was key to providing a complex software-based business application – VR device app, therapist portal and admin console – that addresses not only secure cloud architecture and fast back-end data processing, but also the user experience that meets and partially exceeds our clients’ expectations. We could launch the product at the planned date and are now preparing for the next system upgrade, i.e., integrating an app for patients.”
Transforming Real Exposure Therapy into Virtual Reality
Lab E specializes in developing digital tools for psychotherapists, with a particular focus on exposure therapy — a proven method for treating various mental disorders, such as phobias, by safely simulating real-life situations and confrontations in a safe environment. The company's proprietary VR video library features over 650 high-quality 360-degree and 3d videos, offering customizable treatment scenarios ranging from public speaking situations to relaxing scenes at the beach.
Facing growing demand and the need to improve therapist control capabilities, Lab E required a complete platform overhaul. The legacy system needed replacement with a solution capable of scaling effectively, performing reliably on mainstream VR headsets, and supporting both clinic-based and remote care delivery models.
DataArt partnered with Lab E to architect and build a comprehensive, cloud-native solution from the ground up, addressing these critical requirements while ensuring clinical-grade security and performance standards.
Dual-Mode Platform Delivers Unprecedented Flexibility
The new platform supports two primary therapeutic delivery models:
- In-Office Sessions: Therapists guide live sessions through a secure web application while patients experience targeted therapy-relevant exposition to VR scenarios through VR headsets. Video playback synchronization occurs in real time, enabling therapists to pause, loop, or repeat specific scenes while maintaining visual awareness of the patient's exact experience.
- At-Home Sessions: Therapists can assign preloaded video sessions for patient access in offline and remote environments, utilizing encrypted media stored securely on devices for predetermined licensing periods.
Technical Solution
DataArt developed a comprehensive platform featuring a cross-device VR application compatible with suitable VR headsets, a custom video player for high-resolution 360°/3D content, and a web-based therapist portal for session management. The solution is built on serverless infrastructure with real-time synchronization capabilities.
Enterprise-Grade Security and Performance Standards
The platform incorporates OAuth 2.0 device authentication, encrypted media handling protocols, and NoSQL-based storage systems, designed specifically to meet stringent privacy and performance requirements demanded by clinical environments. It also supports NIS2 compliance with current EU cybersecurity regulations.
Following a successful deployment in April 2025, early adopter feedback from therapists emphasizes the platform's intuitive interface design, enhanced treatment flexibility options, and superior options of patient experience in practice and at home. Lab E now operates under a license-based business model, providing access to both clinical facilities and individual practitioners, with expansion plans providing further services for patients and interactive session conduct.
Future Development Roadmap
Building upon this foundational platform, Lab E has outlined strategic development initiatives including:
- Direct-to-Consumer Portal: B2C platform launch for individual patient access
- AI-Enhanced Therapy Sessions: Artificial intelligence-guided therapeutic experiences for low-risk treatment scenarios
- International Market Expansion: Growth within and beyond European Union markets with new partner and user licensing frameworks
This collaboration exemplifies DataArt's dedication to delivering highly customized, regulation-compliant digital health solutions that support both clinical practitioners and patients in advancing mental healthcare delivery.
