14 DAY TRIAL // Avatar has amazed a large segment of the public with its fabulous 3D effects and has even managed to win three Oscars; however, representatives from Jaguar have been following the same path for years to come up with satisfactory results.
Their goal was to minimize the amount of waste and save some cash at the same time. Therefore, 3D modeling is considered a great achievement for the automaker, since this ingenious method helps it increase the efficiency of its product development by 40%.
In order to boost the percentage, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has decided to invest £2m (€2.38m/$3.08m) to convert a common storeroom into the jaw-dropping Cave 3D studio, BusinessGreen informs.
Three of its walls are acting like giant 3D projectors so that designers working for the company can obtain optimal results.
The new technology helps developers track issues they couldn't normally observe in real-world situations. The main achievement is that virtual reality has helped minimize the amount of waste generated during the design phase, commonly sent to landfills.
Officials have revealed that, after using the Cave, JLR has succeeded in reducing the amount of trash by up to 25%.
“We installed the technology because we wanted to design with more efficiency, [but also] with the amount of prototypes we were building there was an impact on the environment.
“These prototypes are made of resins and fibreglass, which you have to put in landfill. We've cut these down and we're working towards making fewer and fewer,” explained Brian Waterfield, virtual reality manager at JLR, for Business Green.
The respect for the environment manifested by the company is doubled by a care for its own budget, since the 3D modeling, apart from cutting down waste also reduces costs.
“As soon as the designer has a sketch, we can use it. We know how it will be serviced, how many suitcases we can get in [and] we even have virtual dogs and prams you can put in the car. It saves expense and you can figure out problems before they happen,” notes Waterfield.
Even though this fabulous technology is rather expensive, it pays for itself every week, according to representatives from the company, taking into account both its financial savings and its environmental benefits.