The Virtual Reality Laboratory (VRL) at the University of Michigan (UM) is a research facility within the College of Engineering and operated by the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Research and development at the VRL concentrate on industrial applications of immersive virtual reality, augmented reality, and other variations of virtual reality. Additional projects include architectural walk-through models, free-form shape design, accident simulations, medical applications, training simulators, archeological modeling, educational events, academic outreach activities, and more.
The VRL was created in April 1993 with initial funding from the automotive
industry in Detroit. The Laboratory has expanded rapidly into a facility
with state-of-the-art equipment and is widely recognized for its pioneering
work in areas like virtual prototyping of automotive interiors and other
designs, simulation of manufacturing processes, and related engineering and
non-engineering applications.
The unique characteristics of immersive virtual reality provide an
unrivaled instrument for the analysis of spatial arrangements as found in
complex mechanical systems. The VRL is developing theses technologies into
revolutionary concurrent engineering tools for the entire spectrum of
industrial design and manufacturing processes.
A focal point of the Laboratory's research is the rapid creation of virtual
prototypes from CAD/CAM databases and the modeling of behavior and
functionality of these prototypes for operational simulations, engineering
analysis, as well as simulation of assembly, production and maintenance
tasks. In addition, the use the World Wide Web standard VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) for distributed virtual reality and collaborative team work over distances has become an important part of the VRL's activities.
The VRL cooperates with many other schools and colleges on the University
of Michigan's campus and assists in the exploration of non-engineering
applications of virtual environments. The Laboratory organizes educational
events and demonstrations and is host of an international internship
program. Strong ties and working relationships have been developed with
industry, government agencies, and other national and international
institutions. In addition, the VRL plays a visible role in student
recruiting, minority programs, and K-12 education.
