In this project, I planned out an office layout from an office blueprint for use in VR. VR provides a number of advantages that would make this technique work for various uses. It provides the ability to shift perspective and still provide a one on one viewing experience. It can also be completely immersive, given a range of benefits over a traditional sketching experience. This document will aim to discuss ways that this technique can be applied, and the specific advantages VR brings to the table that enable them.
Let’s start out small. Given a space in VR, users could plan out the interior design of various layouts without the need to change anything in the real world. They could try different paints, furniture, and configurations. They could walk around the space and interact with objects as they would in real life. Of course, this can be done using AR, but the technology is not there yet to provide the same experience that VR can provide. With AR, users would have to have the right lighting, a big enough space for the tracking technology to pick up the ground plane and scale of the space, and would most likely be limited to the indoors. Since VR is usually implemented in some sort of controlled environment (Head Mounted Display/CAVE/etc.) these issues disappear.
On the more technical side, Engineers could plan out spaces where volume is limited, such as cars, plains, trains, etc. Using VR, they could see where every circuit would go and the actual space that it would take up. This level of optimization would reduce costs and errors while maximizing the constrained space to be optimized and to use every available resource.
But let’s think bigger. Many spaces nowadays need to be planned to facilitate multiple people. This means multiple viewpoints and considerations for all kinds of people. This is a perfect fit for VR. Engineers could plan the layout of an entire stadium to make sure patrons could view the arena or stage from every possible angle. Architects could design a testing room that ensures professors could see every student from one position.
Now let’s get even bigger. Entire cities could be planned out in VR. Infrastructure such as electricity, water, and plots could be planned out in VR. Adjustments to water pressure, layouts, etc. could be made during planning. Issues could also be identified early in the process, both improving the health and safety of the city and saving tax dollars. Adding more advanced simulation technologies, almost everything can be optimized. For example, the CTA could discover where to best place sound dampeners in tunnels, which parts of the train are generating the most heat, and combine data from the CTA cameras to see which seats people sit in the most.
There’s a few hurdles that need to be overcome first, however. While systems like the VIVE are relatively inexpensive. More complex environments like the CAVE2 require a massive investment from the company. Additionally there are time requirements that may make the process more costly than just sketching out the scene. 3D models need to be created and properly scaled of each item/building that will be added to the simulation. This will require both artists and programmers skilled some kind of VR technology.