Walking the virtual factory floor

The University of South Australia (UniSA), in collaboration with Jumbo Vision and the SA Manufacturing Technologies Centre, welcomed local manufacturers at Jumbo Vision’s CADwalk facility and UniSA’s Wearable Computer Laboratory in Mawson Lakes this month.  Attendees had the opportunity to experience and learn about the latest advances in augmented and virtual reality, wearable computing, advanced human-computer interaction techniques and visualisations.

UniSA and Jumbo Vision are currently collaborating on a $6 million research project to develop realistic and affordable visualisation design interfaces and services for industry clients and consumers, providing a competitive edge for Australian manufacturers. The project runs over the course of 5 years and is co-funded by IMCRC.

As part of the tour, CADwalk’s Global Chief Operating Officer, Lena Kimenkowski demonstrated their interactive visualisation tool for life-size room design and space optimisation. She noted that CADwalk was developed out of a need for clients who are designing high-value spaces and wanting to experience the design before it was actually realised.  She provided a demonstration of a factory layout with a virtual assembly line and autonomous vehicles.  Attendees were able to interact with the tool, allowing them to move layouts and walk through life-size factory designs.