We’ve seen virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) infiltrate and advance a number of industries, and it seems like the automative industry are adapting to the technology quickly. We’ve seen other automative companies get involved and adapt, but now Ford Motor Company are the next to modernise their workflow, with help from Microsoft partner, Vectorform.
Vectorform are working closely with Microsoft to revolutionise the prototyping phase for vehicle design in the automative industry using the HoloLens head-mounted display (HMD). Ford Motor Company’s designers and engineers used the technology to view 3D holographic versions of exterior car parts such as side mirrors. These were overlaid on real vehicle prototypes so they view what their designs will look like in person, in real time.
We’ve already seen Renault work with MR technology to help their production processes, and it seems that this will eventually become a standard in the automative industry.
Usually it would take weeks to create visible prototypes made of clay, but with the HoloLens it takes just minutes. Once the prototype 3D assets are created, they can be viewed instantly. Multiple team members will be able to view the same design variations simultaneously, too, so teams won’t have to share a headset to understand view their work.
Jason Vazzano, CEO of Vectorform, wants to bring even more practical MR technology to the market; “The ability to help Microsoft and its automotive clients see the potential impact of mixed reality in its design process is a huge win for Vectorform. As we continue to work with Microsoft and HoloLens, we can’t wait to see what other industry-transforming mixed reality solutions we will bring to market.”
Vectorform working closely with Microsoft’s HoloLens Showcase team for three months in order to develop the technology. They spent time optimising and building user experience flows, system requirements, user interfaces, 3D assets and even the final engineering builds.
Ford previously investigated using Microsoft HoloLens for car design, and clearly their methods, technology and implementation have come a long way since then.
The future seems bright for MR and VR in the automative industry, and we can’t wait to see more productive results from using the technologies in practical, productive spaces where it can revolutionise traditional work flows. For all of the latest, make sure to keep reading VRFocus.