Derby-based train-builder Alstom has created what’s believed to be the rail industry’s first virtual reality showroom.
The facility features an entirely virtualised city in which trains, metros, locomotives, trams, and monorails run in 3D watched by customers, partners and staff immersed in a virtual environment exploring the company’s products, including interactive simulations and whole fleet management systems.
Created in partnership with visual technology specialist SoWhen?, the universe spans almost four sq km of virtual space and offers 12 different types of virtual trains.
Alexis Bonnet-Salkind, digital design manager with Alstom’s advanced and creative design team at its Litchurch Lane site, said: “We want to transform the image of a railway company from something old-school and traditional to modern and high-tech, which is what we are, and an interactive digital platform is a perfect tool for demonstrating that.”
Alstom provided the first glimpses of this virtual reality universe at last year’s InnoTrans, which is the world’s largest rail industry trade fair. It brought Alstom’s rolling stock, signalling, components, and green solutions to life, allowing attendees to experience a wide range of the firm’s product offering.
The company said that the virtual showroom proved to be an “invaluable tool” to showcase the innovation and advanced technology behind Alstom’s products and “further solidify the image of a modern, high-tech railway company, breaking away from traditional perceptions”.
Alexis said: “This unique digital ecosystem can help do a number of things for our customers. We want to turn the invisible visible: some of our signalling technologies, for example, can be hard to wrap your brain around, especially if your background is not technical.
“This technology can also be a game-changer during design concept and mockup review.”
Alstom also believes its virtual universe will be a powerful tool for training and learning within the company as it allow employees to explore the universe at their own pace and learn more about the business.
