Barco's MoVE at the heart of new 3-D virtual reality lab for engineering research at University of Calgary
From huge flat 9m stereoscopic screen to L-shape, 45° or full immersive cubic space for collaborative team research within 5 minutes
The Calgary Center for Innovative Technology (CCIT) provides leading-edge lab space and state-of-the-art equipment for University of Calgary engineering based, multi-discipline research teams. Barco's MoVE system, at the heart of the visualization and collaboration lab will virtually take engineers, geologists and other scientists to any reality where 3-D data is available, including the bottom of ocean floors, inside oil and gas reservoirs and other inaccessible places such as knee joints.
Barco's MoVE (Motorized multi purpose Virtual Environment) offers Large-Scale stereoscopic viewing for engineering researchers working in team with their colleagues from industry and other disciplines (such as science, kinesiology and medicine). "The outstanding stereoscopic visualization capabilities of the Barco MoVE" says Dr. Rainer Knopff, Associate Vice President of Research, University of Calgary "will lead to intuitive understanding of the relationship between complex data types, while real time interaction allows for in depth analysis, enhancing collaboration within the team, with faster and more accurate conclusions as a result."
"The Barco MoVE's reconfigerable architecture as installed in the Calgary Centre for Innovative Technology, is unique in the world" says Ken Hunter, Barco Director of Sales V&AR. "A programmable touch panel allows for straightforward, accurate and fast, motorized positioning for flat, L-shaped, 45 degree and cubic immersive space configurations within 5 minutes".
Whatever the position, the Barco MoVE provides optimal image continuity due to the minimization of the seam between the central screen and the adjoining wing modules. Reconfiguration time is less than 5 minutes.
In a flat position the impressive screen of 9 by 2.4m allows for a complete auditorium to follow a presentation. The 45° configuration can accommodate approximately 20 viewers in a partially immersive theater. Full immersion in the same virtual reality, enabling collaborative research with multi-disciplinary teams of up to five persons is obtained in the cubic I-Space configuration. The projection of the Barco MoVE at Calgary is driven by three active stereo Barco Galaxy 3-chip DLP™ projectors for high brightness, high contrast and high-resolution active stereoscopic images on the three screen modules of 3m by 2.4m (9.8 by 7.8ft).
Motion tracking is fully integrated in all configurations for real-time, 6DOF motion data acquisition. Ascension Technology's Flock of Birds versatile tracker system, complemented with the Wanda 3D Navigation Device, is providing tracking data for each of the MoVE's three configurations. In Barco's MoVE system, the Flock tracks the entire central floor of the environment in all of the system's multiple configurations. Thanks to its DC magnetic field technology the distorting effects of any nearby metals is minimal.
Barco’s MoVE at the heart of the visualization and collaboration lab will provide reservoir engineers drilling engineers, geologists and geophysicists with new insights on drilling more efficiently, understanding geological trends, creating simulations of oil and gas reservoirs and improving productivity.
At the U of C the research teams are working to find solutions for problems facing society and industry in five key areas: Resource Development and Utilization, Environmental Impact, Health of the Aging Population, Deteriorating Infrastructure and Next-Generation Intelligent Technologies. The detailed 3-D stereoscopic visualizations of the new 3-D Virtual Reality Lab for Engineering Research will provide the U of C engineering researchers and their industry colleagues with new opportunities for working shoulder-to-shoulder to solve complex problems.
The MoVE system for the University of Calgary has been developed, built and integrated by Barco Simulation US in Xenia-Ohio, and reflects Barco’s commitment to develop and deliver total integrated visualisation solutions to the V&AR and Edutainment market. Barco's Virtual Reality systems are used for a wide range of application areas, such as medical training and scientific research, virtual prototyping, edutainment, manufacturing (robotics), Oil & Gas and architecture.
Ascension Technology Corporation, based in Vermont, USA, develops motion tracking solutions for 3D computer-graphics applications in real-time visualization, animation, military targeting systems, simulation, biomechanics and medical imaging. Ascension's website address is www.ascension-tech.com.
About CCIT
The University of Calgary’s new Calgary Center for Innovative Technology is a world-class engineering research facility focused on strategic outcomes using flexible, multidisciplinary teams. These teams break traditional barriers between academic disciplines, industry and government through synergistic interaction and the sharing of sophisticated research infrastructure. The university’s website address is http://ucalgary.ca.
About Barco
Barco, an international company headquartered in Kortrijk, Belgium, is active in three key areas of imaging technology. Barco designs and develops solutions for large screen visualization, display solutions for life-critical applications, and systems for visual inspection. Barco has a network of subsidiaries, distributors and agents in almost 100 countries. Barco is quoted on Brussels/Euronext and is a BEL 20 and a Next 150 company.
For more information, please contact
JP
Tanghe
Senior Advisor to the CEO
Barco nv
Telephone
+32 56/26 23 22
jp.tanghe@barco.com
Els
Van Loocke
Marketing Communications Manager
Barco Presentation&Simulation
Telephone
+32 56 368667
contact.bps@barco.com
Ken
Hunter
Director of Sales V&AR
Telephone
+1-937-372-7579
ken.hunter@barco.com
