the Franco-Italian manufacturer ATR uses virtual reality to design and sell its regional aircraft
Aeronautical manufacturer ATR, based in Toulouse, has just signed a contract with SkyReal, a start-up specializing in virtual reality for industry. Technicians and engineers are equipped with 3D tools to immerse themselves in aircraft design, work better remotely and present the aircraft to customers.
The virtual reality headset is reminiscent of video games but the purpose is very professional. The tool is used to design and sell aircraft.
Based in Paris with around fifteen employees, the start-up SkyReal has just signed a contract with the regional aircraft manufacturer ATR to provide virtual reality tools (see VIDEO below).
The idea is to put yourself (virtually) in the shoes of a person who works in the workshop, to solve, for example, problems of accessibility or assembly.
Hugo Falgarone – founder and leader of SkyReal
Technicians or engineers use this new tool to immerse themselves with 3D images (three dimensions). Immersion is possible with or without a helmet, thanks to an immersive room or a simple computer screen.
A very practical process because the design of ATR aircraft is spread over different sites in France and Italy. Several collaborators – at a distance from each other – can thus work together and in real time on the same images, in the same environment and share their comments. A saving of time made possible thanks to virtual reality.
Virtual immersion in a cockpit or cabin is not limited to the design phase. The process is also of interest to the commercial part and the sales area of ATR (the Customer Experience Studio). The customer can visit the interior of a device and better understand it or virtually choose equipment.
Being in scale 1 of reality, being able to immerse the client, is an important element of conviction.
Hugo Falgarone – founder and leader of SkyReal
SkyReal highlights this process evoking, “at the time of the health crisis, a change in the way of working which makes the ability to virtualize essential to make decisions”. ATR is seen as a pilot company in this area.
We are convinced that there are great margins of progress for 3D modeling tools, not exploited enough by manufacturers
Hugo Falgarone – founder and leader of SkyReal
After the design and virtual tour, ATR plans to work again with SkyReal to digitize aircraft maintenance training.
To continue to impose itself on the market, SkyReal is counting on a next major evolution of the regulations in the industry: the certification of the processes via 3D (three dimensions) will gradually replace the current certification by two-dimensional plans.