Technologiewerkstatt brings VR To Baden-Württemberg

VR HELPING TO GROW A REGIONAL ECONOMY

The German Government, in conjunction with the EU, decided the region of Baden-Württemberg needed an incubator for start-ups, bringing technology to its many SMEs to help grow and support the region’s local economy. This organisation was also expected to support SMEs by helping them with planning and implementation of innovation projects. It was envisaged that this new organisation could even collaborate with schools.

TECHNOLOGIEWERKSTATT

Technologiewerkstatt, based in Albstadt, entered the competition to be the chosen incubator organisation. From the very beginning, it decided its unique selling point should be a focus on digital technologies, such as Virtual and Augmented Reality, 3D printing and app programming and that it should then bring these technologies to local industry and educational institutions.

WHY VIRTALIS?

Technologiewerkstatt chose Virtalis VR technology when it won the competition as the foremost VR company in Europe and one likely to provide a long term technological partnership.

Technologiewerkstatt’s innovation manager, Daniel Spitzbarth, explained: “There are different centres in our region of Baden-Württemberg, but our technological offering makes us unique. With support from the local University of Applied Sciences, we decided to go for a digital focus with a special emphasis on the textile and mechanical industry, for which this area is so well known. We also provide support to Tier One suppliers to the automotive and pharmaceutical industries and we aim to act as a bridge between research and industry, helping companies to take advantage of virtual prototyping, virtual design reviews and virtual assembly rehearsals.”

ACTIVEWALL

Technologiewerkstatt has recently installed a fully tracked Virtalis ActiveWall.
ActiveWall draws on active stereo technology and features a custom screen, specialist computer, Virtalis custom software and powerful projectors. Herr Spitzbarth said: “Already, those that have seen our system have been impressed by its 6.5 metre wide screen which allows us to show content at 1:1 scale.”

VISIONARY RENDER

Technologiewerkstatt also chose to run Virtalis’ VR software, Visionary Render, in its new VR facility. Visionary Render software allows users to access and experience a real-time, interactive and immersive Virtual Reality (VR) environment created from huge 3D datasets.

“Virtalis Visionary Render makes VR usable for any CAD reliant company”, said Herr Spitzbarth. “People have been amazed that the same data can be shown in different ways, so that Albstadt was shown in different scenarios. VR brings things to life and, thanks to the tracking, enables exploration and innovation.”

THE FUTURE

Although Technologiewerkstatt has only been open for a few weeks, it has already engaged with the local community by building a virtual model of the town centre of Albstadt, which is poised to undergo a radical transformation. Three thousand townspeople were immersed in ideas for future Albstadt and gave their feedback on Technologiewerkstatt’s opening day. Technologiewerkstatt is now planning a series of engagement events for local businesses, so they can see how the same CAD data can be deployed by Augmented and Virtual Reality and 3D printing.