Virtual reality

Jaguar and Land Rover have revealed plans for a new design facility to speed up product development cycles.

Some $4m is to be invested in a 'virtual reality centre' which will allow engineers and designers to see life-size three-dimensional models of vehicles and components. It will reduce the need for physical prototypes, saving time and money in the process.

Jaguar and Land Rover's four-walled 'cave' will draw on projection power equivalent to eight hi-tech cinemas and will provide a virtual reality environment simulating both the exteriors and interiors of vehicles.

Eight Sony SRX-S105 high resolution projectors will provide a visual quality that outstrips existing industry virtual reality caves by producing photo realistic images. Designers will wear 3D glasses to experience images twice as clear as the latest High Definition TV.

Working in partnership with Sony, Sun Microsystems and ICIDO, Midlands-based HoloVis International is bringing together all of the different components of the project, designing, installing and supporting the virtual environment.