TACOM Selects Fakespace Systems as Partner for Development
Of Immersive Display and Interactive Technologies
KITCHENER, Ontario, July 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Fakespace Systems, a leader in immersive visualization systems, today announced that it has contracted with the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command\'s (TACOM) National Automotive Center (NAC) to collaborate on the development of innovative immersive displays and advanced devices for interacting with computer-generated visual simulations. The joint development project is part of the federal government\'s Dual Use Science & Technology (DUST) program, which is designed to share the benefits of technology between the defense and the private sector.
TACOM has a long history of work with Fakespace Systems, including current projects that use the CAVE® (CAVE Automatic Virtual Environment) and WorkWall? display systems to improve design and shorten delivery cycles for military and civilian vehicles and weapon systems. Used as part of the group\'s Advanced Collaborative Environments (ACE) program, immersive visualization helps TACOM increase vehicle performance, safety and durability, and reduces the costs of design, manufacturing, operation and maintenance.
Dr. Grace Bochenek, senior research engineer at TACOM, noted that the CAVE enables true team interaction, where individuals can evaluate virtual prototypes from their own experience, perspective, viewpoint and functional responsibility.
Fakespace Systems has been extremely successful in providing visualization technologies and services for our research and development programs, said Dr. Bochenek. The DUST contract extends this collaborative relationship and draws upon Fakespace Systems\' innovative work with both display and interactive technologies.
Fakespace Systems provides a broad range of visualization solutions for working with virtual prototypes and visual simulations. These systems, which facilitate collaboration and better understanding of complex data, range from fully immersive room environments to depth-enhanced displays that fit in an average size conference room.
We\'re extremely pleased that TACOM has selected Fakespace Systems as a partner for this important program, said Jim Angelillo, vice president of strategic relationships at Fakespace Systems Inc. There is growing recognition of the value of visualization in commercial applications and we are certain that users of virtual environments across a broad range of industries, from manufacturing, to energy resource exploration and scientific research will benefit from the results of this project.
Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC) (Nasdaq: PMTC), developer of software engineering tools for product development is the primary contractor on the DUST program. As a subcontractor, Fakespace Systems will collaborate with PTC and other members of the DUST team, which include General Dynamics Land Systems, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Labs, and IITRI/AB Technologies.
About Fakespace Systems
Fakespace Systems provides products and services for better insight, communications and collaboration in automotive, manufacturing, military, aerospace, geophysical exploration, and scientific research organizations. The company designs and manufactures immersive visualization systems and interactive devices, and integrates complete visualization solutions providing Better Ways to Create and Communicate?. The Electrohome Limited business unit is headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. The company has U.S. offices in Novi, Michigan; Alameda and San Diego, California; Columbus, Ohio; Rockville, Maryland, and a European office based in the United Kingdom. More information on Fakespace Systems Inc. is available at http://www.fakespacesystems.com .
NOTE: ® and TM -- CAVE is a registered trademark of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. WorkWall and the phrase, Better Ways to Create and Communicate are trademarks of Fakespace Systems Inc. All other trade names or marks are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE Fakespace Systems Inc.
-0- 07/11/2001
/CONTACT: Jeff Brum of Fakespace Systems Inc., 519-749-3144, or jbrum@fakespacesystems.com; or Wendy Lewis, wendy@fscomm.com, or
Miranda Brady, both of FS Communications, 650-691-1488, for Fakespace Systems Inc./
/Web site: http://www.fakespacesystems.com/
(PMTC)
CO: Fakespace Systems Inc.; U.S. Army Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command;
Parametric Technology Corporation
ST: Ontario IN: CPR ARO TRN SU: CON
JD-KP -- SFW042 -- 6585 07/11/2001 09:01 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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