Virtual reality immersion gives an opportunity to feel like a gaming battle hero as well as to solve serious tasks related to production or education. The VR Concept company has been developing a software that will connect the real and virtual worlds. VR Concept project co-founder Denis Zakharkin spoke on taking a virtual tour to a remote facility from the office, using a real tool to tight a virtual bolt, and the efficiency of meetings where participants wear VR headsets.
Prior to launching the VR Concept company, its founders built up experience in the VE Group, a VR integrator whose main area is introducing ready-to-operate VR systems in production enterprises. This is when they became aware that imported visualization software that dominated the market did not correspond to required safety parameters, with their manufacturers unable to provide efficient technical support. According to Denis Zakharkin, the main disadvantage of foreign-produced software is the lack of localization and its low performance.
After holding the analysis of the virtual prototyping software market, VR Concept founders came to a decision that there was a demand for a new product. In 2014, they came up with an idea of creating a new application for group work with engineering data based on the use of VR opportunities. The same year, the project founders Denis Zakharkin and Ilya Viger registered the VR Concept company. Launching the first commercial version took two years of hard work; it was presented in 2016.
The company was getting on its feet with its own financial assets. Given high expenditure indicators, the necessity for external investments has been and still remains relevant. In addition, the company executives are targeting the global market, which requires serious investment and the assistance of foreign partners. In order to attract them, VR Concept takes part in pitch sessions, accelerators and major technology events.
The company currently employs 16 people; all of them are graduates of reputable Russian engineering universities such as the Stankin Moscow State Technological University, the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, the Moscow Aviation Institute, the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI and the Bauman Moscow State Technical University. When creating their innovative product, VR Concept focused on its optimization and functionality. The main concept is to merge virtual prototyping and collective work with data in the BIM/CAD/CAE formats.
The average cost of a commercial license for one VR\AR work space is $3.2K. Several work spaces can be sold for $13.5K. Among VR Concept users are over 30 companies, among them machine-building companies, such as My Project, SSTC, oil and gas producer Gazprom Neft, plus educational facilities, children’s technology parks, quantoriums, universities (Shukhov Belgorod State Technological University, MEPhI), where virtual simulators and models significantly increase the quality of training.
The instruments of visualization and virtual prototyping are in demand in construction projects and in creating models. They also improve the efficiency of meetings and presentations. According to Zakharkin, the software does not require special training and users can easily get involved in the process. They can make virtual tours, hold meetings and organize on-the-job training without visiting the construction site or production facility. At the same time, a real screwdriver can be used to drive a virtual screw.
In the nearest future, the project experts are going to present a solution for mobile devices and the opportunity to use both the mixed reality and augmented reality technology.
By Christina Firsova