The University of Exeter’s VSimulators team at Exeter Science Park welcomed Mark Wray from the Knowledge Transfer Network to the facility this week. Mark, Knowledge Transfer Manager, Buildings and Infrastructure for the KTN, found out about the technical capability and potential uses of the multi-disciplinary facility in a tour delivered by Professor James Brownjohn, Principal Investigator, Julie Lewis-Thompson, Commercial Manager and James Bassitt, Senior Experimental Officer.
The tour included a visit to the VSimulators chamber, where Mark got the chance to experience first-hand the vibration frequencies and the six degrees of freedom of the motion platform.
Mark said: “Thanks for the insightful tour of the facility yesterday, especially to Julie and James for taking the time to explain the offerings of the facility. I have been in earthquake simulators and moving floors before in Japan, but this experience was something quite different. The realism of the movement was extraordinary. For example, when the deck was set to replicate the movement of a floor plate in a train, it was just like being there, it felt so realistic, you only had to close your eyes and didn't require the VR headsets.”
He added: “It has been fascinating to see this project evolve over the last 3 years and now I am pleased to see the facility fully functional. It is a great asset to the South West Research & Development infrastructure. I am sure it will lead to a much deeper understanding of how to resolve challenges due to vibration across a broad set of applications from resolving structural engineering problems to addressing human degenerative illnesses.”
