Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has opened a Virtual Reality Centre (VRC), a benchmark-setting innovation for the Indian commercial vehicle industry.

The VRC allows operators to virtually perform serviceability and accessibility checks using a digital model accessed via 3D goggles and navigational joysticks. This has the potential to transform both R&D and vehicle servicing procedures, as it reduces the need for custom-built tools, prototype vehicles, and service bays.

Commenting on the new facility, Satyakam Arya, MD and CEO, DICV said, “DICV has already established itself as a technological leader with our made-for-India brand BharatBenz. Through this new Virtual Reality Centre, we reinforce our position as innovators and disruptors. The VRC has the potential to make CV servicing and R&D considerably faster, more comprehensive, and more cost-effective. We are excited to pass these benefits on to our customers in the form of affordable, high-tech, high-quality products and services.”

The VRC houses an industry-best 3D Barco projector, a power wall, advanced real-time tracking cameras, 3D head movement tracker goggles, and Virtual Reality software capable of seamlessly interacting with the vehicle design via navigational joysticks.

“Before it goes to market, each new model must be evaluated based on how easy it is to service and maintain. The standard process is to develop a prototype version of the vehicle and then test how service technicians can access its parts and perform repairs. This process is repeated multiple times until the vehicle is fit to be mass-produced. The VRC will allow us to replace many of those prototype-building iterations with virtual modelling and testing. It will speed up the development process and free up resources for further enhancing our portfolio,” added Arya.

Remote collaboration with Daimler Truck offices
Another benefit of using virtual reality is the opportunities it offers for remote collaboration. Without the need for a physical model and workspace, DICV is able to share the digital models with Daimler Truck colleagues around the world. The teams can access the same model simultaneously to exchange opinions and advice in real-time, even if they are oceans away from each other. In today’s world of travel restrictions and social distancing guidelines, the benefits this offers are incalculable.

“This is another example of DICV benefitting from the global resources held by its parent company, Daimler Truck AG. We have access to over a century of technological expertise in CV manufacturing and collaborate with experts working in more than 35 locations around the world. This global heritage, combined with our proud Indian roots, gives us an unbeatable advantage,” Arya concluded.