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Mechdyne And ITRI Complete Unique Virtual Reality System For Taiwan Aquarium Mechdyne and ITRI Complete Unique Virtual Reality System for Taiwan Aquarium Marshalltown, IA - June 6, 2001 - Mechdyne Corporation announced today the completion of a surround-screen virtual reality (MD SSVR™) system for the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in Checheng township, Pingtung County, Taiwan. A joint venture with Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute's (ITRI) Opto-Electronics & Systems Laboratories (OES), this personal computer-based visualization system simulates life-sized rare or extinct aquatic life in three-dimensional graphics. Believed to be one of the first marine biology museum exhibits of its type, it has drawn hundreds of visitors daily since opening in January 2001. "We are very pleased with the application we developed with Mechdyne to simulate ocean marine biology life," said Stephen Lin, ITRI/OES Electro Optics System Division's executive producer and manager. "This exhibit allows visitors to experience beautiful coral reefs and marine life, and will soon include extremely rare and extinct aquatic life." The visualization system uses rear-projection technology to display three-dimensional graphics onto three, ten-foot walls and the floor of a U-shaped configuration. Visitors stand inside the structure, allowing them to feel completely immersed in the virtual reality environment. One of only a few PC-based surround-screen visualization systems in the world, the aquarium exhibit is powered by five networked computers. One acts as a master control while the other four separately control projection to each viewing surface. Mechdyne worked with ITRI/OES to develop an Immersive Multi-User Virtual Space (IMVS™) kernel software, which is based on TCP/IP, DirectX and Winsock, to enable communications between the five networked PCs. ITRI also developed the image-based visual processing software and application, including modeling the marine biology life and background. "This innovative VR application has further advanced the use of large-scale virtual reality technology in the museum industry. The cooperation between Mechdyne and the Opto- Electronics Systems Laboratories was extremely efficient, and I think the project's success reflects this," said Dr. Li-Sheng Shen, director, ITRI/OES Electro Optics System Division. "Mechdyne is very proud of this system, which is housed in one of the finest aquariums in Asia," said Chris Clover, Mechdyne's president and chief executive officer. "Our engineers worked with ITRI to build a robust system that will serve thousands of visitors each year. We are looking forward to propagating such installations in similar venues across the globe." ### About Mechdyne Corporation Mechdyne Corporation is the world’s largest company dedicated to consulting and development of immersive, networked and collaborative visualization systems. The company addresses complex projects where an in-depth understanding of user requirements leads to the development of products and customized solutions involving elements of visual, software and support systems. Mechdyne’s product divisions provide advanced display technology, audio/visual systems design, and implementation services, as well as immersive and interactive software development and support. Headquartered in Marshalltown, Iowa, Mechdyne’s customers include leading government laboratories, military research programs, energy companies and a variety of ‘edutainment,’ manufacturing, and other users of visualization technology. More information is available at www.mechdyne.com. Mechdyne Press Contact Jeff Brum Matt Schmidt |
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