VIRTALIS has just completed the installation of a Virtual Reality (VR) suite at the Centre for Construction Innovation in the North West (CCINW).  The project was funded by Manchester City Council who will be sharing the facilities, bringing the power of VR to groups of people who have not previously had the opportunity to experience it.

The VR room, which can seat 25, features rear projected active stereo onto a three metre wide screen.  This will enable people to approach the screen without casting a shadow.  The facilities are expected to be used to display large, realistic VR models of construction projects, aiding communication of designs and concepts.  The first demonstrator model to be developed for the system will also be built by Virtalis.  It will depict a Victorian swing bridge in Northwich, Cheshire and will demonstrate how maintenance in confined spaces can be carried out using a flexible robot arm.

Gareth Hughes, CCINW’s IT project manager explained: “We exist to disseminate expertise and best practice to the North West’s construction industry.  This kind of advanced visualisation will allow us to do that effectively.  Bigger firms, once they have experienced VR, might require our help in developing their own facilities, while smaller firms might wish to carry out special projects using our facilities.