News  Virtual Changing Labs, Brunel's BIT lab

PRESS RELEASE: 3/12/2004

A disused university engineering lab has been transformed into an innovative 3D visualisation suite with the help of London based Virtual Reality specialists Inition.

The Brunel University building – renamed the Brunel Information Technology Laboratory (BIT Lab) – now buzzes with cutting edge 3D projectors and displays instead of drills and metal presses.

Inition fitted the lab out with a dizzying array of 3D technology. They supplied and installed a set of autostereoscopic screens capable of displaying 3D visuals without glasses. They also supplied a motion capture and tracker system giving the lab VR potential.

But Inition’s most striking contribution was a bespoke VR cave – a stereoscopic visual environment with surround sound that gives the illusion of depth and motion.

The cave was created with three large stereoscopic screens, a combination of Inition’s long and short throw Duality 3D projection systems and a high performance 3DVidBox for stereo film replay.

The installation made maximum use of the lab’s limited space: the wing screens are both rear projected whilst main screen is front projected. Inition also gave the suite some flexibility by fitting detachable screens.

Students and researchers can produce their own dazzling 3D content thanks to a stereo video platform supplied by Inition. The 3D VidRig allows students and technicians to record stereoscopic video and monitor the results in real-time.

Since the lab was opened by Lord David Puttnam, in October 2004, the University has continued to work with Inition, adding the latest in autostereoscopic displays including an Opticality Plasma display and Sharp RD3D Laptops. They are also the first UK academic institution to offer 3D sculpting with the MIT developed Phantom force-feedback device.

Notes for editors

Inition are providers of innovative graphics solutions with over ten years experience in Virtual Reality and Stereoscopic 3D. As well as providing a wide range of 3D graphics related hardware and software, Inition offer expertise in stereoscopic video production (both live and computer generated), interactive real-time 3D, innovative web-design and broadcast quality rendered animation. Our clients include the RSPB, P&G, the NHS and The London Metropolitan Police among others. For further information on our remit and reach or for expert editorial comment on VR visit www.inition.co.uk or contact us direct on 020 7613 5004.
More information about the Phantom

For information on VR specialists Inition visit www.inition.co.uk

BitLab (www.brunel.ac.uk/bitlab) is a postgraduate research facility at Brunel University, West London. The main idea behind the lab is to facilitate progressive collaborations between science, engineering and the arts. It was converted from a heavy engineering lab into an open plan arena, mezzanine floor, specialist lab space and a boardroom. The lab is used by different departments and managed by Electronic and Computer Engineering. Areas of research include Multimedia, 3D visulisation, holography, grid computing and animation, possible through the technology that has been installed in the lab. BIT lab was supported by £0.75m of Brunel University funds and £0.5m from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) science research investment fund (SRIF). Brunel University, Cleveland Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3PH. Tel: 01895 274 000.