No, this is not a dice game. It’s a serious VR system for medical professionals and specialists in other areas such as Oil & Gas, and training and simulation.

Today at the swYm conference, Personal Space Technologies’ Director, drs. Arjen Brinkman, kindly coached me through my first try with Personal Space Station (PSS). Unlike the targeted end-users, I didn’t get to hold a pumping human heart in my hands, but I did get to play around with 3D clay modeling.

You can see in the below photo that Arjen even modeled my name.

The problem with hospital technology is that you mostly end up with compromised 3D data that loses information necessary for accurate diagnostic and treatment decisions. For example, you could have a fancy 3D MRI machine, but the display screen is 2D which squashes the 3D information. You just can’t see everything, and details matter in medicine!

Here’s a 21st Century Business video that explains and shows the technology in action. You’ll note an interview with the same Arjen who modeled my name.

At a time in the Life Sciences industry where we hear a lot of talk about nanoscience, etc., I’m happy to have come across a technology that’s so tangible and ready for mainstream usage. Dare I say it’s “lifelike”?

Many thanks Arjen for your initiation. I look forward to following your company and am happy to see VR working its magic in the healthcare world.

Best,

Kate

P.S. Personal Space Technologies is a Dassault Systèmes ETCC partner. That stands for Emerging Technology Channel Community.

Modern living provides us with a growing assortment of Virtual:  reality, world, pavilion, events, etc.

Given Shanghai’s Virtual World Expo (have you been?) and the burgeoning concept of virtual corporate headquarters, I figured it was time to call in an expert.

Meet SoBuzzy virtual showrooms’ Founder and CEO, William Peres*.

So William . . .

Q1. What’s the closest comparison? Virtual event: classic website, or, virtual event: physical event?

WP: For me a virtual event is only an event. Nowadays, prospects that were coming to our former physical events have changed their way of working. No more money, no more time, little news from one year to the other… So 30-40 percent of the former physical event visitors are now finding their answers on the Internet. We can use search engines, comparison engines, forums or even companies’ websites to find information. So people stay at home.

An event is the best way to have access to all the actors of a domain in one location. A virtual event will at least allow that.

Q2. Do virtual worlds have real potential in the corporate world?

WP: In the B2C environment maybe. But I don’t think that a virtual world will help a company work better, except when people are far away from each other.

For instance, a virtual conference will be helpful if we have 3D objects to share, brainstorm about and discuss.  If using the virtual world to only be represented by an avatar, I don’t think that will help.

Q3. Will it become mainstream for employees to attend virtual corporate events, trade shows and meetings? What are the blocking points, and what needs to happen to facilitate this?

WP: The blocking and missing point is mainly the physical contact with people. However, realistic avatars, video or classical chats and future developments will help to fulfill the needs.

Another point is that we often try to reproduce a physical way of communicating in the virtual world. I don’t think it’s the best thing to do because one will automatically be frustrated. It will never be real! That’s why we have to develop functionalities we cannot have in real life, in order to save time and be more convinced about the usage.

Q4. How can you get participation from today’s mature workforce, or is this just for those starting their professions or future employees?

WP: Of course the gap will be greater for mature people than for the Y generation who are used to that environment. However, do we plan to target everybody when we launch something? Even if 30 percent of the targetable prospects come into that new way of life, it’s better than losing them.

Anyway, I didn’t think that my mother would go on Internet or send an email one day…

Q5. Any predictions of the future of virtual events?

WP: Virtual fairs and events will not replace all corresponding physical ones. Depending on the domains, or the location, a virtual event would help to support a physical one. Remember that they only take place into big capitals and cities. Internet is 7/7, 24/24 and everywhere.

Moreover, limiting the negative impact of human activity on the environment is everybody’s concern. Virtual events fully support this initiative by offering innovative and environment friendly solutions.
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Merci William for your answers!

And YOU, what predictions do you have regarding the future of virtual events?

Best,

Kate

*Disclosure: William used to work for Dassault Systèmes.

It was a sleepless night in Shanghai.  When the spectacular fireworks rocketed into the sky, weaving brilliant pictures upon the 5.3 square-kilometer Expo Park, the first World Expo hosted by China unveiled its curtain.

In the meantime, in the virtual world, over 300 virtual Expo pavilions finally opened their doors to greet visitors from any corner of the world.

“We are expecting about 100 million visitors online,” said by Mr. Wang Li Ping, Chief Operation Officer of Expo Website Management Office.

Call me biased, but after a quick visit of the physical and virtual Expo, I found the French Pavilion among the top of all pavilions both on the Expo ground and in the virtual world.  When I first entered the physical French Pavilion, I strongly experienced the power of “See what you mean,” “See it before it even exists.”

For the past six months, I’ve walked through the virtual French Pavilion numerous times.  It indeed felt surreal when I found myself actually standing inside it.  “This is exactly the same!”  I almost screamed at the entrance…

That day, May 1st, the first day of Expo Shanghai, 100,000 out of the 200,000 visitors of the Expo experienced the French Pavilion.  The opening ceremony of the French Pavilion was held at its beautiful roof garden, where it greeted Alain Delon and the famous Chinese actress, Gong Li. Philippe Forestier and Christian Nardin were also among the VIP guests.

For those who will attend this year’s PLM Forum in China, you will be at this romantic garden enjoying the French banquet in just one month!

Up till yesterday, about 1.5 million visitors went to the Expo ground; 500,000 of them visited the Chinese Pavilion (only 50,000 allowed each day) and 700,000 experienced the French Pavilion.  In the meantime, over 30 million people around the world have paid their visit to the first “virtual Expo.”

I was one of them.

However, I wasn’t a “normal” visitor because I was very anxious t to find out what’s inside the 24 pavilions that used 3DVIA to create their online 3D version.

Indeed, there were lots of nice surprise and great findings. These are some of my favorites:

French Pavilion (Zone C): not only one of the most beautiful pavilions, but also one of those that are easiest to navigate through.  The virtual tour to Musee d’Orsay to see the paintings in 3D will definitely be a nice surprise for the visitors! Kudos to Frederic PY for all the hard and great work!

Jilin Pavilion (Zone A- inside China Pavilion): A dreamy pavilion presenting the spring and snowy seasons of the Jilin province. Many cute 3D real-time interactions, for example, when you step on the snow, you see your own foot prints while hearing the sound of each step; you definitely don’t want to mess around with the snowman because he will throw a snow ball right to your face! And definitely don’t forget to make yourself some popcorn and eat it “virtually”!

Taipei (Zone E – Case Joint Pavilion 4-3): Another easy-to-navigate pavilion where visitors can experience fun real-time 3D interactivity.  You can contribute to a cleaner river in Taipei by touching the water; you can also play with the famous Taipei 101 building in your hand in 3D!

Shandong Pavilion (Zone A – inside China Pavilion): Shandong is the cultural hub of the old China. It’s the hometown of Confucius and many historical figures. As you climb the famous Tai Mountain in 3D, you are introduced to the historical figures and their stories. The experience of climbing this virtual mountain reminds me of the movie, Avatar.  This pavilion is not fully completed yet though; in the later version, visitors will be able to see the future city of Shandong where it’s green and sustainable.

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What do you think?  I’d love to hear from you to learn which online pavilions you like best!

Meanwhile, happy virtual Expo!

Best,

CJ