Drive recently demonstrated Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Experiences at our studio to a number of our clients.
Attendees were able to experience virtual reality environments created for design review, new yacht interiors and as well as walk around and sit in virtual vehicles.
Drive have been creating both Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) applications for automotive and transportation clients, drawing on our experience of design, digital modelling and high quality CG imaging techniques.
Recent Projects have included a VR train interior for a b2b exhibition, an AR App for the MG SUV launch, car configurator and a b2b sales and promotional App for Mirus Aircraft Seating.
Our creative team embrace these immersive technologies because Virtual Reality as a storyteller, has the power to connect, communicate and engage audiences by enabling them to experience a story in a way no other media can.
McLaren Special Operations’ marketing department commissioned us to produce a number of CGI car images for their car brochure. This animation shows the the work that goes into creating a CGI car image for a brochure.
We believe a CGI visual should tell a story, and this one captures the moment when a young boy becomes fascinated by cars, as he sees the special edition McLaren MSO 650S.
After discussion and signing-off the storyboard content of the shot, we arranged the photo shoot to take place in London. Following a scout of suitable locations, one in Holborn was decided on and the shoot was set up.
On the day, the models were positioned and talked through their poses, while the photographer set up the equipment. A number of shots were taken to get the composition right, using VRED to position a cgi car and place the models on the trial back plates, and we then waited for appropriate natural lighting.
British weather being what it is, it soon became clear that we were going to have to re-work the photos in post production to replicate the requisite sunny day look.
We shot the models with backplate and support material for the lighting and reflections of the CG car and then reviewed all of the content before heading off to our retouching suite.
The following movie shows the build up of the CGI car image through removal of unwanted elements in the scene, added dappled lighting and adjusted shadows to give the image the warm sunny afternoon appearance.
Get in touch to discuss your requirements or just to get some advice on what is possible.
https://vimeo.com/drivedesign
Drive is often asked to provide business design advice for startup mobility vehicle projects. Many low volume vehicle manufacturers have benefited from our understanding of the challenges that businesses face in developing and establishing a successful vehicle in the market.
Niche vehicles have always provided opportunities for entrepreneurs to build successful businesses but now more than ever they are providing a solution to specific transportation problems. This is leading to opportunities for OEMs to use niche vehicles to expand their brand into new mobility markets, become leaders by redefining a market or exploiting new technologies.
Low volume vehicles provide unique challenges in the product offering, manufacturing constraints and the commercial demands. Drive have been involved in numerous projects and have built up experience of the various approaches to the business proposal, from designers wishing to produce their concept, technology led business opportunities and brand experience products. Many low volume manufacturers such as Hennessey, Apex Motors, Delta Motorsport, Zenos Cars, Caterham Cars and Lightning Car Company have benefited from Drive’s expertise at various stages during their projects.
Whilst the funding for niche vehicle projects is provided from varying sources depending on the circumstances, the necessary underlying business case has to be rigorously tested and proved just the same, before investing of valuable time, resources and money. Drive’s in depth experience can help build the background to the project, give crucial investor confidence in the participating parties and provide experience and guidance throughout project timeline.
Through the development and refinement of the design our experienced team maintain the initial design intent whilst answering the engineering and economic challenges posed by these unique projects.
Drive’s understanding of the difficulties facing niche vehicle manufacturers (NVMs) trying to establish a company or product make them ideal partners to be involved in the development of a robust product concept and commercial strategy, whilst helping identify design and manufacturing efficiencies through collaboration with strategic partners.
Not every venture can be the success that everyone is looking for but minimising the risk by being fully aware of the undertaking at the start, with suitable gateways mapped out so that owners and investors can make informed decisions before embarking on the next phase, help to increase the chances of a sustainable business.
https://www.nichevehiclenetwork.co.uk
Virtual reality is allowing design teams to develop concepts quicker and resolve issues earlier. Drive have a fantastic Virtual Reality car design studio set up that which we are all becoming accustomed to using in our day to day work.
So how have we facilitated the use of the VR set up within the studio? We are always finding new ways to use it, but within the realms of being a beneficial tool rather than being a slave to it. A good example is this Bugatti concept , that enables us to show off the benefits of using VR to our automotive clients.
Projects like this are an important to everyone at Drive, with our passion for automotive design and especially for anything that goes fast is in our DNA. With the initial concept penned everyone was unable to resist getting involved with something as extreme as this. The team worked together to design, resolve and refine the concept simultaneously combining our work flows through Photoshop, Alias and VR.
The use of VR is a great tool to check the design through the modelling development process and helps both modeller and designer. An instant tool at our finger tips that allowed us to critique and rapidly develop the concept, producing a better result in a quicker time frame. As a tool VR makes you aware of the digital model issues you normally only realise when you are standing in front of a full scale clay. I am a firm believer in the development of a physical model, and VR is a benefit to allow any studio to start physical modelling stage from a more advanced point, speeding up the process and saving time.
We use various systems from Autodesk VRED, Unreal Engine and Unity to create the Virual Reality experiences. We will be very pleased to discuss your requirements and support your adoption of the technology into your work flow.
https://www.linkedin.com/company/drive-inc-ltd
Sometimes it is the simpler things in life that give the most enjoyment and lock down restrictions lead to this. With the studio on lock down and equipment available the next generation of Longmore car designers needed something to do so we set them a design, build and video project and here it is – Next generation car designers
So they recorded a project to design and build a ‘soapbox’ or a ‘bogie’ as I knew them when I grew up in Lochmaben, Scotland, using what could be found in the garage, resulting in the demolition of their old twin ‘Mountain buggy’ pram and restricted by the length of axles a reverse ‘Nissan Deltawing’ configuration emerged.
Then they decided to share the project ….
