Fakespace To Install Ultra High-Resolution Virtual Reality Wall At Technology Incubator In North Wales

Company Wins Contract for Europe’s First 8-Megapixel Visualization System at University of Bangor Center For Advanced Software Technology

Marshalltown, IA - May 25, 2006 - Fakespace Systems Inc. today announced it has been awarded the contract to install an ultra high resolution virtual reality wall at the technology incubator hosted by the University of Wales in Bangor. The Technium Center for Advanced Software Technology (CAST) will be the first organization in Europe to use the Fakespace PowerWall™ 8MP, an eight megapixel visualization environment.

CAST was established in 2005 as a hub for the growing technology industry of North Wales. It is part of the Technium Wales network, a series of technology-led business incubators providing relevant knowledge, support and facilities to help both established and start-up companies realize their potential for long-term growth. The dedicated research team at CAST will help develop commercially viable projects using the Center’s laboratory, which includes a GRID access room and high-capacity broadband data communications for global collaboration.

The Fakespace PowerWall 8MP is a large-scale flat wall visualization environment which enables engineers, designers and researchers to realistically interact with three-dimensional computer-generated models. As a stereoscopic display it generates a slightly different image for each eye, in order to provide a sense of depth that matches real-life perception. The system being installed at CAST is part of the overall research and development infrastructure available to participating companies. It uses some of the world’s most advanced projection technology to provide extremely detailed images with 4096 x 2160 pixel native resolution, which makes it an eight million pixel active stereoscopic virtual display.

“The addition of this visualization system helps establish Technium CAST as one of the most advanced centers of innovation in the UK,” said Dr. Sian Hope, CAST Technical Director and professor at the School of Informatics at the University of Wales. “The brightness and fine detail of the PowerWall exceed most existing virtual reality environments and we expect that it will be pivotal in promoting better collaboration and breakthrough discoveries.”

Fakespace UK partner OCF plc will configure a cluster of IBM high performance computers to drive the PowerWall. As the leading independent supplier of High Performance Computing and Visualization solutions in the UK, OCF worked with Bangor CAST and Fakespace to define a state of the art visualization solution that would meet the needs of organizations developing new technology solutions.

The installation of the PowerWall, at the Bangor CAST facility in Parc Menai, North Wales, is scheduled for completion in September 2006.
 

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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.

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