VIRTALIS has strengthened its world-renowned Technical Development Team by recruiting three new people.  Andrew Connell, technical director at Virtalis, said: “Over the past dozen years, the team has achieved many breakthroughs in advanced visualisation and has played a part in turning VR from a fledgling concept to the mature technology we have today.”

Adrian Scarlett is a former electrician who later took a degree in computing science.  This combination makes him not only useful for the numerous VR suite installations, but also equips him for graphical programming.  He commented: “I have just been given a very exciting project – developing a head-up display design for a flight simulator.  In fact, programming is also my hobby!  In my free time, I analyse the structure of computer programming language structure.  Using these precepts, I hope to eventually move onto the analysis of natural languages.”

Andy Hurst shares Adrian's off-duty love of computers.  A multi talented specialist in robotics, mechanical engineering and digital projector design, Andy is also a computer developer, having attained his Masters degree in Computer Visualisation (CAGTA) from Teeside University and has spent the last five years working as a developer in the games industry.  He is currently working on a simulation of the robotic inspection used at Hayhurst Bridge for the Centre for Construction Innovation in Manchester.  He explained: "I am fortunate in that my role at Virtalis is a near perfect match for my interests and experience."

James Clarkson is a recent graduate from Sheffield Hallam University and, at 23, is the youngest recruit by a decade.  James read Computing Visualisation and is finding that his course has prepared him well for his new role at Virtalis.  He said: “I wanted to join the leader in the field of VR and I have been lucky enough to be able to have done so.  I am currently immersed in an investigation into 3D force feedback, which is fascinating.”  In his spare time, James is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and also enjoys diving.

David Cockburn-Price, MD at Virtalis, commented: “The growing success of Virtalis, since the venture capital deal earlier this year, is allowing us to really benefit from our intellectual capital.  Not only do we have a greater number of projects under development, but a greater diversity of them too.  As a result, this expansion of a team that has remained stable for many years is unlikely to stop here.