Barco Simulation Products supports Ford Motor Company’s VIRTTEX Simulator to Study how Drivers deal with In-car Distractions

Xenia, Ohio – May 8, 2002. - Five BarcoReality 909 Projectors – three for the forward view and two for the rear, project the image on Ford’s “VIRTTEX” (VIRtual Test Track Experiment) advanced simulator. The ultimate visual fidelity of BARCO’s 909 projectors helps to fully immerse the driver in the virtual environment, driving like he would a real car in the real world. And this is exactly what the researchers wanted to be able to study a driver’s ability to cope with common traffic situations while using cellular telephones, navigation systems and other in-car electronic equipment.

The “VIRTTEX” simulator dome rests on a hydraulic system that can move up to 10 feet to any side and tilt up to 20 degrees This broad range of motion helps duplicate movements that are experienced while driving. The 360 degrees Advanced Carbon Graphite Dome from Tech-Com International, Inc. has been designed for a first mode natural frequency exceeding 22 Hz. The projection surface is seamlessly coated with Tech-Com’s Duragain® with a peak gain of over 4 units.

The Barco projectors are fixed to the dome structure and rotate with the dome to provide a 300-degree computer-generated view of the road. They surround the driver to display scenery, terrain, and various traffic situations and are synched to the test car’s acceleration, breaking and steering functions.

“The choice of BarcoReality 909 projectors for this project was simple and unambiguous ”, says Max Mariani, President of Tech-Com International, Inc. “With their large 9” CRT’s and advanced electronics they are the new reference for multi-channel projection on non standard screen forms. They deliver unprecedented visual fidelity, guarantee razor sharp images and offer a choice of application specific optimizations such as Digital Contrast Modulation, advance edge and color matching and a wide range Optical Scheimpflug Correction which make them the ultimate complement for Tech-Com’s High Gain/Contrast/Brigthness Dome and Screens“

Every year distracted drivers cause 25% of all car accidents. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Ford Motor Company ‘s advanced, moving-base driving simulator - VIRTTEX – now operational after six months of development, is already gathering information that will help assure development of safe in-car communications systems.

Barco Simulation Products

Barco Simulation Products develops high-performance visual display products and solutions for flight simulators, ship bridge simulators, mission rehearsal simulators and entertainment applications. Active on a worldwide scale – with main offices in Xenia (Ohio, US) and Kuurne (Belgium) and with sales & support offices in Europe, North & South America, Asia and the Middle East – Barco Simulation Products has gained an international reputation for its customer-driven application engineering and projection system optimization know-how. Drawing upon its expertise in projection technologies, color calibration, opto-electronics and mechanics, Barco Simulation Products and its partners provide the solution to meet any Simulation and V&AR requirement.

 

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