The automotive industry remains one of the most profitable industries in the world. With all of these profits at their disposal, they can invest in some truly experimental fields. One such field is virtual reality technology. VR and cars are a great match. It’s not just limited to virtual driving sessions either (though those are admittedly the most fun). VR has some innovative applications for your business.
What is Virtual Reality?
Virtual reality is the use of computer generated environments in an immersive manner. This is usually accomplished via a head mounted display. The environment is in a three dimensional space. That means users can see objects from all angles. While it was once seen as a mere novelty for video games, it has started gaining popularity as a legitimate way to grow your automotive business.
Types of Virtual Reality
Two types of virtual reality currently exist, both with different uses and levels of immersion.
Display Only VR
This form of VR is the most common. Through a VR headset, the player’s eyes (and sometimes with headphones) are immersed in a 3D environment. VR games make the most developments in this field. There is a bit of immersion-breaking, however. The user’s physical body does not always match the VR body’s space in reality. Still, being able to see a virtual object in three different dimensions is very handy.
Sometimes, the user also has controllers to simulate the use of hands. The technology for hands gets better every year. The detection of fingers in particular has allowed for some great strides in surgical VR. With time, it’s expected that surgeons could use VR to practice dangerous operations before performing the real thing.
Enhanced VR
Enhanced VR makes use of a VR headset as well, but also includes other peripherals to further enhance immersion. For example, drivers are trained in virtual reality with VR car games. They are put on a chair with accurate controls around it. The shift is to their side and the steering wheel controller in front. They even get their clutch, brakes, and gas with the same feel. Not only that, but the chair may also move erratically along with “turbulence”.
For a truly immersive experience, some may even have the setup in a fully controlled room. The virtual environment could, for example, have the user driving around in the desert. The room’s temperature would change accordingly. If they are driving a convertible in the game, then wind and sands would whip against their face. This level of immersion is perfect for training drivers or testing “potential” cars.
Applications of VR in the Automotive Industry
The major drivers of the growing popularity of automotive VR are technology advancement and the need to cut engineering costs. By making things virtual, the cost of finite physical resources is drastically cut down. That alone makes VR a worthy investment. Still, there are some specifics to get into to grow your business through VR.
Showrooms
Virtual showrooms are a great way to entice potential leads into buying new products. In the showroom, 3D renditions of the cars are put on display. The cars are a complete and detailed copy of the physical ones. Unlike a physical car, the customer can change the features of the car to their liking. Features such as the car’s external colors, the interior leather, and even different parts to determine which combination or variety they prefer.
Virtual reality technology has the potential to increase sales for automobile manufacturers and dealers. They can increase online sales through virtual showrooms, where potential consumers may view the exterior and inside of 3D cars and take a test drive without leaving their homes. Thanks to game engines, the physics of the care are also realistically simulated. This immersion helps drive virtual sales.
Virtual Prototypes
Prototypes are expensive affairs. So much effort and resources go into creating them, and there’s always the likelihood of them failing to work at all. By using virtual reality, prototypes for different car parts can be tested properly. Prototypes allow for quick changing of parts, designs, and adjustments. Most importantly, it could potentially run a test on the product and see how it would perform in a real-life setting.
While real testing is needed, virtual tests could give a good approximation of a product’s likelihood of succeeding. That alone makes it a fantastic field to research. Virtual tests would save so much on physical resources and lessen the risks of live testing.
Training
VR allows new engineers to train without risking the breakage of physical assets. A virtual car would be given a specific problem, and in the VR setting, the new hire would have to fix it. It saves on costs and more importantly, ensures the safety of your human employees. The training program could easily be updated as VR tech improves as well. To learn more about the applications of artificial intelligence, check out our site here!