Saturday, October 29, 2011

Realistic oil&gas plant simulation with an HMD

Our partner VRContext released a video demonstrating walking inside a sophisticated plant using an XBOX 360 controller and a zSight HMD.


What I find particularly appealing about this video is the level of detail. Walking through the plant (while hearing your footsteps, no less!), you say layers and layers of pipes, pumps, floors, etc. This is possible through integration with real engineering databases. Since the plant is already designed, why not use the same databases to ensure safer, lower-cost operation?
I can certainly see why learning about this plant in a comfortable, virtual setting, will prepare the operator for true troubleshooting and maintenance when needed.