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Advanced Visualization From Fakespace Systems Supports U.S. Army Research Programs Flexible Immersive Environment Enables Controlled Laboratory Study of Soldier Performance Kitchener, ON - January 21, 2002 - Fakespace Systems Inc. today announced that it has delivered a reconfigurable visualization system as part of an Immersive Environment Simulator, used to study how soldiers use equipment in combat zones, at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The FLEX™ visualization system consists of three detachable, large-scale stereoscopic display units that ARL uses to project realistic imagery of simulated hostile environments. The FLEX™ is one part of the Tactical Environment Simulation Facility at ARL, which includes two adjoining simulation environments. One is a stereoscopic projection-based Hostile Environment Simulator that includes a 155 decibel sound system. The second part, called the Immersive Environment Simulator, integrates the FLEX with motion tracking and an omni-directional treadmill to allow soldiers to literally run and move in any direction within virtual hostile terrain and combat conditions. “We selected the FLEX™ for the immersive simulator because of its large size and flexible configuration,” said Bruce Amrein, Chief of the Visual and Auditory Processing Branch at the Army Research Laboratory. “ Fakespace was able to provide a custom-designed system that met our very particular requirements.” The FLEX™ at the ARL is a reconfigurable stereoscopic display system consisting of three self-contained 10-ft x 12.5-ft rear-projected modules that can be arranged to form a flat wall display, an immersive theater, or an enclosed CAVE®-like environment. As part of the Immersive Environment Simulator it is used in conjunction with an immersive sound system consisting of 44 loudspeakers. It is the first system of its type to ever include an omni-directional treadmill, and it also has an extremely accurate inertial acoustic position measuring system, which enables visualizations to track in real time with the user’s changing point of view. SGI was prime contractor for the $2.5 million project, and the Immersive Environment Simulator is driven by an SGI Onyx supercomputer “The new tactical environment simulation facility at ARL is an exceptional resource for human factors research in warfare,” said Carol Leaman, president of Fakespace Systems. “By creating a research facility where the most advanced technology can be applied to the study of soldier performance under highly controlled conditions, the U.S. Army will make discoveries that increase the safety and effectiveness of the armed forces on the battlefield and as a result, increase security worldwide.” The FLEX was customized to meet ARL’s needs. The screen size is larger than standard FLEX units and it was designed to sit 18 inches above the floor in order to accommodate the omni-directional treadmill. It incorporates three Mirage 6000 projectors from Christie. These are exceptionally bright digital projectors that provide extremely sharp images and true colors. ### 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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