The German automobile manufacturer dives deeper into VR with a new collaborative app.
Multinational auto giant Volkswagen Group is no stranger to virtual reality. The corporation has experimented with the technology on multiple occasions, using VR headsets to let consumers to peek through Audi car hoods with x-ray vision and experience what it would be like to drive them on the moon.
Now the German manufacturer is doubling down on its use of VR, revealing a brand new application designed to allow Volkswagen team members from all branches to collaborate with one another in virtual reality. The streamlined experience will combine all of the companies past immersive ventures, along with an interconnected workstation allowing Volkswagen Group’s brands such as Audi and SEAT SKODA Auto to work with one another in a VR space.
Using HTC VIVE Business Edition headset, employees can access the Volkswagen Digital Reality Hub common VR platform for a more comfortable collaborative experience. By providing an easy-to-access remote platform for cross-brand and cross-site team members to communicate and develop on, Volkswagen hopes to streamline the auto development process.
Dennis Abmeier from Group IT further explain the potential of using such multifunctional technology:
“Exchanging knowledge is just as important as bundling knowledge. That’s why we came up with the Volkswagen Digital Reality Hub central platform in collaboration with Innoactive,” explained Dennis Abmeier from Group IT. “All employees have access to all existing VR elements as well as existing knowledge via the platform. That way, we enable individual units to implement new use cases quickly and jointly move in VR applications so they can plan new workflows interactively.”
Group logistics member Mathias Synowski further explained the potential logistical benefits of using such multifaceted technology:
“Going forward, we can be virtual participants in workshops taking place at other sites or we can access virtual support from experts at another brand if we are working on an optimization. That will make our daily teamwork much easier and save a great deal of time.”
As more and more established corporations continue to adopt collaborative VR technology, it’s likely we’ll continue to see other car manufacturers beginning to jump on the bandwagon. Last year, carmaker Jaguar revealed their electric car to members of the media with a ground breaking social VR experience that brought 66 individuals located across two continents together to share a front row seat for the unveiling.
The Volkswagen Digital Reality Hub for the HTC Vive is currently making its debut at the Digility conference and exhibition in Cologne, Germany.
