[ieee ieee proceedings. vr 2005. virtual reality, 2005. - bonn, germany (march 12-16, 2005)] ieee...

Virtual Technologies in the Manufacturing Industry

Peter Zimmermann (Chair)Volkswagon

peter.zimmermann@volkswagen.de

Thomas T. JaegerDaimlerChrysler

thomas.t.jaeger@daimlerchrysler.com

Dr. Juergen KrauseBMW

juergen.krause@bmw.de

Dr. Torsten SteinbornOpel (GM)

torsten.steinborn@de.opel.com

Martin SallerAudi

martin.saller@audi.de

Jean LorissonPSA Peugeot Citroen

jean.lorisson@mpsa.com

ABSTRACT

For about the last 10 years, virtual reality and related technologies

have become more and more popular, especially in the

manufacturing industry. In hundreds of papers and presentations,

authors have claimed the usefulness, importance, and success of

the technology. We will address to what degree the hype is truth.

OPENQUESTIONS

The following topics will be covered in the statements and

discussions:

• Why do we need virtual technologies in the product

development process?

• Where is it useful and where not?

• What is the impact of VT on the company’s organization?

• Human factors issues.

• What is the definition of VT?

• Do common CAD systems fulfill users requirements in terms

of VT?

• Most of the VT applications are not really VT but

visualization. Why?

• How much do we really need immersive and interactive VT?

• What are the biggest problems with HCI in VT?

• We have a big problem with data and interfaces.

• PCs and PC clusters - the solution for more power and

quality?

• What does the industry really need in terms of technology?

Within the statements, it would be useful to tell the audience

shortly about

• The main applications

• Technology (HW/SW) used

• Some benefits / costs / comparisons between physical and

virtual approaches

• Some problems

• Future plans

303Proceedings of the IEEE Virtual Reality 2005 (VR’05)

1087-8270/05 $20.00 © 2005 IEEE