Car design could become a lot more driver-focused, thanks to a new tool being tested by Ford.
The American firm is experimenting with Gravity Sketch – British-built 3D virtual reality (VR) technology that lets the designers get up close and personal with their creations.
Wearing a VR headset and using hand-held motion controllers, they can navigate an open space and get a 360-degree view of the car they are creating – allowing them to produce a design around themselves. Ford says having the ability to see all angles will result in more ‘human-centric’ models being created.
It also believes the design process could be shortened, eliminating the need to turn a 2D sketch into a 3D model.
Michael Smith, design manager at Ford, said: “Jumping right into 3D gives us a 360-degree view of a vehicle as it is being created. This application has the potential to help ensure we are delivering the very best vehicle designs for our customers.
“It moves the entire process into the world of virtual reality, giving us greater options for reviewing more models in the 3D environment to create the best possible vehicles.”
Oluwaseyi Sosanya, Gravity Sketch chief executive and co-founder, said: “Our collaboration with Ford designers has enabled us to get immersed in their creative process and discover ways to help fine-tune this application to better suit their needs.”