Technology at Europe’s largest 3D-mixed-reality laboratory, the Elbedome in Magdeburg, has been upgraded after 10 years of operation. Users of its virtual reality scenarios will benefit from brighter, higher-definition projections and enhanced immersion.
- 24 June 2019
“We are very happy about it. As the core of the Virtual Development and Training Centre at the Magdeburg Science Port, the ‘Elbedome’ was part of Saxony-Anhalt’s regional innovation strategy from the start. We are continuing this with its modernisation. In the new ‘Elbedome’ we will be able to carry out important research tasks such as the development of technologies for the future world of work and for business 4.0. The expanded facilities will be available to research partners and companies as a digital planning and experience area.”
The Elbedome is a 3D-mixed-reality laboratory located at the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF in the city of Magdeburg, central Germany. It is the largest facility for virtual reality applications for business and research in Europe, allowing companies and scientists the opportunity to bring digital models of machines, systems, factories and even entire cities to life with impressive realism and immersion.
The virtual reality laboratory reopened in May 2018 after renovation of the projection system and the underlying hardware.
Large display area
The renovation allows for the use of the Elbedome’s floor for projection, providing a 360° panoramic projection surface of over 450 square meters. Twenty-five high-resolution daylight stereo projectors allow models to be perceived in three dimensions, as virtual holograms projected directly into the room. This gives users the sensation of being in a virtual world.
It also features brighter, higher-definition projections and state-of-the-art computer equipment for imaging and simulation. An automated calibration system quickly adjusts projection parameters to the perspective of the user.
Mixed-reality applications connect real objects such as workstations, robots or controllers to virtual elements. A high-precision tracking system enables ergonomic testing of real or virtual prototypes of workstations, systems or machines.
The large projection surface area is ideal for displaying large objects and infrastructures such as factories or cities. The room enables entire teams of industrial planners, architects and builders to work together on complex problems in the virtual world. Up to 30 people can experience the virtual world at the same time.
A typical scenario is the design of new factories, where professionals from different disciplines have to collaborate. Facilitating this process using virtual reality scenarios helps to combine different data and unify different points of view.
Giving businesses the edge
The virtual reality system has many advantages for businesses. Manufacturers can for example use it to assess the status of their plans and to expedite decision-making as well as support training, communication and marketing.
The Elbedome can be used as a discovery, learning and creative space, where unique advertising events can be held, employees can be trained and experts can exchange their experiences. Regional businesses use it to set themselves apart from their competitors and the laboratory is promoting entrepreneurship and start-ups in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Science and Digitalisation of the State of Saxony-Anhalt.
Research in this 3D-mixed-reality laboratory enables companies to organise their manufacturing lines more reliably, efficiently and sustainably to develop the work systems of the future. Other application scenarios include architecture, urban planning and medical applications demonstrating the versatile application potential beyond the industrial sector.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Expansion and improvement of the technological infrastructure of the Virtual Development and Training Center (VDTC) – ELBEDOME” is EUR 2 500 000, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 1 875 000 through the “ERDF Saxony-Anhalt” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Strengthening research, technological development and innovation”.