Using Optoma’s ultra short throw and short throw Full HD projectors and developing their own turnkey model processing software, COINS:FULCRO designed and built the first-of-its-kind virtual reality environment for the construction industry - the FULmax CUBE.
Projecting a 360 degree 3D visualisation of the project onto the walls and roof of the cube, this immersive, life scale, virtual reality environment draws project teams into a digital experience that represents either what is yet to be constructed or what has been constructed. Within this environment, designers and engineers can explore the virtual design collaboratively to solve issues off-site. This reduces the likelihood of expensive site rectifications and extended project timelines.
The cube is 2.5m wide x 2.5m deep x 2.23m high so that it could be installed to fit into a small meeting room. All equipment is installed in this self-contained unit including three EH320UST ultra short throw projectors, one EH415ST short throw projector, an Xbox controller with a joystick to control the view of the room and a PC with COINS:FULCRO’s own software that enables realtime access to valuable BIM data.
The FULmax CUBE can reproduce a 3D model in 1:1 scale to provide a realistic visualisation of the project, while maintaining data security through a local model processing solution.
Dr Maxwell Mallia-Parfitt from COINS:FULCRO said: “Most virtual reality applications are designed for the entertainment sector. This is the first purpose-built virtual reality cube built specifically for the construction industry.
“We chose the shortest throw projectors available that are bright and 1080p resolution to get the detail that we needed. These are installed within the cube out of the eyeline. This differs from other VR units that usually use rear projection which needs more space.”
With 4,000-lumens, the EH320UST is one of the brightest ultra-short throw projectors on the market, making it perfect for this application. Its Full HD resolution and ultra-short throw lens create a huge vivid picture without any shadows cast from the presenter. It can project a 100 inch image (diagonal) from just 55cm from the screen. An interactive version of this projector is also available that uses TouchBeam finger-touch interactive technology.
The EH415ST Full HD projector beams a 100-inch picture on a screen or wall from just over a metre away. It boasts a brightness of 3,500 ANSI lumens and is lightweight (3.4kg), making it extremely flexible for installation. This Full 3D short throw projector has a powerful built-in speaker as well as an audio output, enabling connection to external sound systems.
Both projectors use DLP technology, pioneered by Texas Instruments, which uses millions of mirrors to produce higher quality imagery which does not suffer colour degradation over time, as sometimes experienced in other projector technologies. The dust-sealed, filter free design prevents dust and dirt from affecting the system ensuring optimal image quality with minimal maintenance.