The document discusses Daimler-Benz's research into virtual reality technology at their Virtual Reality Competence Center (VRCC) in Ulm, Germany. A team of 12 researchers is developing applications of VR such as designing automobiles, visualizing new factories, and simulating flights. Using VR, designers can eliminate errors in new designs before building physical models and test visibility issues before prototypes are built. The VRCC is exploring uses of VR across Daimler-Benz, including virtual showrooms for customers and simulating assembly processes.

1. Open
Roadto
aNew
Dawn
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Thanks to the efforts of a team of twelve
Daimler-Benz researchers, visitors to
the Virtual Reality Competence Center
in Ulm are being treated to a glimpse of
things to come. Automobiles of the fu-
ture—as yet a mere sketch on the de-
signer’s drawing board—can be viewed
from a variety of angles as they rotate in
space. Visitors to virtual factories ad-
mire the elegant architecture of a new
plant long before the first foundation
stone is laid. And passengers settle
down for a flight that in reality won’t be
taking off until some time well into the
next century. Computer-generated vir-
tual worlds not only make the future tan-
gible, but also drastically shorten the
gestation period from original idea to fin-
ished product. Reason enough for Daim-
ler-Benz to be spearheading this exciting
innovative technology. The VRCC team
is the first port of call for anyone in the
group with questions about virtual real-
ity and its potential applications.
Full steam ahead: With a
large-screen projection, head-
mounted display, data glove,
and bags of computer power,
anyone can take a spin in the
world of virtual reality.

2. First
Sightof
aNew
Design
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Designers used to regard the
completion of the 1:1 model as
the moment of truth for their
creations. Under the merciless
glare of the neon lights, each and
every weakness of line and form
would be starkly revealed for the
first time. With virtual reality,
however, they are now spared
this particular agony. For thanks
to computer-generated three-di-
mensional images, design errors
can be eradicated long before
they become immortalized in the
real-life model. And thanks to re-
fined in-house CAD software and
a user-friendly interface, design-
ers have access to all their nor-
mal tools. The body shell, for
example, can be illuminated and
then scrutinized from every con-
ceivable angle. And how about a
new paint job? No problem! Arctic
Blue can be converted to Carmine
Red at the click of a mouse.
Nice picture: To generate
this image, 160 million
pixels are processed every
second in real-time.
Costly check: Scale models
have long provided the
only means of critically scruti-
nizing a new creation.
Raw material: CAD wire-
frame models provide the
data for subsequent “photo-
realistic” representations.
Full beam ahead: Computer
simulations replace testing
using costly and elaborate
lighting installations.

3. Virtual
Viewpoint
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Design and functionality are in-
separable. Instrumentation and
controls, for example, must be
positioned so that car drivers,
train engineers, and aircraft pi-
lots can all optimally control their
respective vehicles. Of crucial im-
portance here is a perfect field of
view. At the same time, correct
ergonomic design plays a vital
role in ensuring both comfort and
safety. Thanks to virtual reality,
designers can step into the driv-
ing seat long before the first pro-
totype is ready to roll. At what an-
gle does the new model’s A-pillar
begin to screen the pedestrian?
And what can a six-foot train
engineer see that a five-footer
can’t? Such virtual vigilance can
spare subsequent blushes. Much
more importantly, it also helps
save lives.
Hand-in-hand: The installa-
tion of a car radio can be sim-
ulated using a data glove. This
simple operation provides a
stepping stone to more com-
plex installation investigations.
Tall: A six-footer standing in
the new driver’s cab has a
clear view of an imminent
coupling maneuver.
Small: The signal lamp and
coupling are invisible to a
five-footer sitting in the same
position.
Looking ahead: Driver
visibility is checked long
before a real-life prototype
hits the road.

4. Future
Reality
on
Display
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Given that virtual reality is still in its
infancy, the prime task of the Ulm-
based VRCC team is to sound out
the potential usefulness of this new
technology for applications at
Daimler-Benz. Concrete objectives
include devising innovative solu-
tions, which are subsequently
transferred to various product areas
throughout the group. It is a pro-
cess that has already yielded a host
of ingenious ideas. For example,
there is the virtual showroom,
where customers can literally walk
in and put together their dream car.
Equally impressive is a virtually-de-
signed production plant, where the
manufacturing stations have been
arranged to optimize overall pro-
ductivity. Finally, by showing fitters
how to insert screws into a new en-
gine in a “virtually perfect” manner,
the researchers hope to remove at
least one major source of frustra-
tion from the workplace.
Out of this world:
Tomorrow’s space station can
be inspected long before
entering orbit.
Future factory: Researchers
at the VRCC were admiring
the completed A-class factory
in Brazil long before the foun-
dation stone had been laid.
Made-to-measure: In the
future, customers will be able
to enter a virtual showroom
and put their ideal car togeth-
er. This is just one of the pro-
jects in the pipeline at VRCC.