The University of Liverpool creates a mixed reality projection system with Digital Projection

In order to see the content from three different perspectives, on an immersive floor-to-ceiling 3D display, ST Engineering Antycip has provided the Digital Innovation facilities with an Insight Satellite MLS 4K HFR projector 360 of Digital Projection.

The facilities of Digital Innovation of the University of Liverpool, a new hub for emerging technologies such as autonomous systems, data analytics and artificial intelligence, have been equipped with the equipment of 3D projection of Digital Projection supplied by ST Engineering Antycip.

Part of the Institute of Digital Engineering and Autonomous Systems (Ideas) of the University, the Digital Innovation facilities of 1.500 m2, include several research laboratories, immersive viewing and work-and-rest spaces for academic staff.

Target3D, specialists in motion capture who had already been in charge of building two of the Digital Innovation laboratories, contacted the simulation solution provider, analysis, modelling, visualization and virtual reality ST Engineering Antycip, to provide and configure a state-of-the-art projection system for the mixed reality laboratory. This contains the first active stereo projection equipment in the UK capable of displaying multiple viewpoints with a single track..

Robert Jeffries, Commercial Director of Target3D, explains that the integrator decided to collaborate with ST Engineering Antycip in the project "for its knowledge in complex projection and Cave installations (immersive virtual reality environment)”.

In order to obtain a result that would allow users to see their own content, from three different perspectives, on an immersive floor-to-ceiling immersive 3D display, ST Engineering Antycip supplied a projector Insight Satellite MLS 4K HFR 360, of the range of systems Satellite Modular Laser System (MLS) of Digital Projection, with technology Multiview.

The Satellite MLS System, Explains John Mould, Head of Business Development at ST Engineering Antycip, “It brings a skill that VR visualization solutions have been craving since birth: the ability to enable true collaboration within the virtual world. The possibility for three individuals to immerse themselves in the same 3D content and to navigate freely perceiving the corrected image for their own eyes, It means that each user can focus on the exact same place in the space and no longer has to share and follow the main user.”.

For the mixed reality laboratory ST Engineering Antycip has supplied a solution that includes haptic gloves, virtual reality headsets and a space sound stadium. This has been built with two Satellite MLS modules of 10.000 rack lumens, three PC-based imagers with GPUs Nvidia Quadro RTX 6000, a custom-made rear projection screen of 5×2,63 meters and 30 pairs of 3D glasses Volfoni high-speed.

Matt Horwood Digital Projection explains that the unique design of the Insight Satellite MLS 4K HFR 360, with a very compact size, Low noise and high flexibility, Solved the logistical challenges of digital innovation facilities, with limited space in the rear screening room.

John Mould comments that the Satellite MLS projector represents an opportunity to operate with a native 4K laser projector with a high lumen content, without the single-phase power supply requirement of 32 AMP to operate the projection system.

"This has been made possible by the non-traditional approach of dissociating the laser light source from the projector chassis so that the two can be powered separately., making standard power supplies power the projection head and the separate, managed laser light modules within the equipment rack".

likewise, He comments how the advantage of this approach is that it reduces the operating noise resulting from the projection system while eliminating much of the heat expelled., that needs to be managed. This configuration allows the dimensions of the projection head unit to be more compact, addressing different mounting approaches with full orientation flexibility.

In addition to working with a small space, the fact that it was located on the first floor was also a challenge for the ST Engineering Antycip team..

“The installation had to be done within a space that was not at ground level, being therefore less accessible for the discharge of solid materials”, continues Mould. “The final location of the room forced to raise a flexible screen surface that could be transported to that level. The client decided that the rear projection space should be physically separated from the main viewing space, A decision that was taken after the award of the contract to integrate the screen more effectively. Collaborating with all parties, We managed to find a solution by expanding the mechanical structures and substrates to achieve that partition.”.

Horwood says the success of the University of Liverpool project is the legacy of the versatility of the Satellite MLS system, which is ideal for installations where space is an issue, as well as for multi-sided Cave installations.

“I can see a multitude of projects benefiting from Digital Projection's Satellite MLS system., especially three or four CAVE installations with four sides (MultiView or Standard Stereo). The RGB laser source also improves the user experience through better color saturation and greater uniformity”.

Similarly,, Mould says that "the same installation could be used for multiple different applications., Increasing productivity; or to enable new experiences, How to create three prototypes or virtual designs that could be exchanged as easily as the time it takes to change the glasses between engineers.

“For leisure and training”, Adds, “Virtual tours could be created for an existing location but generating three different data sets, each separated in time, and the public could opt for glasses to instantly see the past, the present or access to a possible future, and all these experiences would be shown on the surface simultaneously.

By Ashley Keeler, director técnico de Target3D, what the new Digital Innovation facilities of the University of Liverpool offer "is something pioneering in terms of technology is concerned., as well as their ability to bring collaborative research to Liverpool.".

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