German automaker Volkswagen will be utilising the augmented reality technology to develop their car of the future. Virtual Engineering Lab (one of six labs now operated by Volkswagen Group IT in Wolfsburg, Berlin, Munich and San Francisco), led by Frank Ostermann, will be used for virtually creating the future car. Ostermann inspects A 1:4 scale model of a Golf and then virtually tweaks its wheels, rear lights and the wing mirrors. Moreover, he uses voice commands and gestures to change the design in a matter of seconds.
The required software was developed in the Virtual Engineering Lab and the team's results could revolutionize the work of engineers and designers. The ‘HoloLens’ mixed-reality goggles, a mobile computer developed by Microsoft projects virtual content onto a physical object through gesture control and voice commands. Ostermann only needs to point his finger and the HoloLens projects a different paint color onto the Golf, installs different wheels and modifies the fenders. The Golf is an R-Line model, but post modifications it will become an entirely new version which might appear at the dealership in six months' time.
Specialists from Volkswagen utilise such dedicated labs to work on the digital future together with research institutions and technology partnerships. Additionally they collaboratively work to find new solutions in the fields of big data, Industry 4.0, the Internet of things, connectivity, mobility services and virtual reality. Speaking about it, Ostermann said, “At Volkswagen, we have been using augmented reality and virtual reality for some time, mainly to obtain a three-dimensional view. We are now taking a major step forward at the Virtual Engineering Lab. We are transforming this technology into a tool for Technical Development. This will allow Volkswagen engineers to work on a virtual vehicle, to change its equipment as they wish and even to design new components virtually. They will be able to see the results of their work immediately."
