Case Studies

iCinema

Challenge

ICinema engaged Tiller Design to help develop the user interface and best practice for simulations and interactive control systems for the training of miners. A principle challenge was to deliver a high quality product within the frame of low quantity production runs.

iCinema

Solution

The cross-disciplinary team had to ensure the promotion of a balanced development between technical detail, interactive content and photo-realistic animated visual environments. As a result a plan of the simulation was developed in consultation with the client. The model of the environment was developed by the 3D artists to match part of a real mine schematic. Equipment, vehicles and other objects were modeled from photographs and plans.

Computer programmers wrote the simulation and the code for the many interactive choices that the trainee will be presented with. Complex atmospheric effects, physics simulations and animated human characters are programmed, while the models and hazards and sound effects are placed within the simulation.

iCinema fully immerses people into virtual environments. This virtual experience enables users to begin to visualise and recognise complex situations, build up a knowledge of procedures and skills and undergo training in a safe and forgiving environment. The simulations, based on core competencies, confront miners with high-fidelity representations of the real-world problems and dangers of a dynamic, hostile mine site.

iCinema CAD Illustration

Result

The final design was a joint achievement between iCinema and the Tiller Design team that resulted in the development of a medium in which three-dimensional audio-visual experiences are created, by a combination of multiple projectors and multiple sound sources to achieve true immersion.

The ergonomics of the user console and wand have been carefully considered. The console and wand are intuitive, immediately accessible but importantly do not distract from the virtual environment experience.

The console gently removes itself from the environment by lowering the lighting and brightness of controls depending on the status of the training program. It has to fade in and out of the environment during use to maximize interaction and experience. Controlling the content and virtual environment is done via a central control console and a 3D inertia hand held wand. This combination allows the user to navigate and travel through virtual environments as well as control physical environmental attributes.

User interface, control surface

Testimonial

A thoughtful approach to immersive learning environments that does not overwhelm with architectural edifice. The potential applications are a class apart
August de los ReyesCreative Director, IDSA/ Windows Platform Core Innovation Team, Microsoft Surface