Technology innovation centre, Transport Systems Catapult (TSC), has announced the opening of a ‘Visualisation laboratory’ at its headquarters in Milton Keynes. The laboratory aims to test innovative virtual reality technology to make improvements to the UK’s transport network.
The laboratory includes the UK’s first commercially available omnidirectional treadmill, the Omnideck, built by Swedish company Omnifinity, and features a virtual reality Milton Keynes built by local firm Virtual Viewing. The omnidirectional floor enables users to physically walk through virtual worlds adding further realism and sense of immersion.
Using this technology, engineers and designers will be able to test the impact of new transport services and technological innovations without the risks and costs of physical implementation. Applications being tested include exploring how pedestrians might react when approached by driverless cars on shared walkways. The technology will also allow architects and civil engineers to virtually experience new designs of buildings and public spaces. This will enable designers to experience their designs with crowds of people moving around and interacting within them, before committing to physical development.
Graham Fletcher, modelling and visualisation director at TSC explained: “We see huge potential for virtual reality technology to help solve the UK’s transport problems at a lower cost and without the associated risks of testing new technology in a live environment. The Omnideck Treadmill and virtual reality equipment we have installed here at the TSC is totally unique in the UK and will allow businesses to experiment, develop and demonstrate new technologies in a new and inspirational way.
“One possible use we have identified is the testing of driverless cars. It is envisaged that we can conduct user trials that will allow subjects in a virtual environment to walk along pathways and interact with autonomous vehicles being controlled by their experimental control algorithms. We have already had interest from major manufacturers in testing their vehicles in this way before implementation on UK roads.
“The Catapult’s aim is to help UK businesses create products and services that meet the needs of the world’s transport systems as they respond to ever-stretching demands. As such we are hoping to establish a whole range of collaborations across all modes of transport using this technology. We believe virtual reality technology can help ensure the UK is a world leader in transport innovation.”
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