Ford Tourneo designed in innovative virtual reality environment

Ford Tourneo designed in innovative virtual reality environment

As car designs become more modern and space-age, manufacturers are looking to the next stage of technological capabilities to put their cars far ahead of other models available on the market. 

Ford has taken an innovative step to improve the interior and exterior features of its Tourneo model, using 3-D virtual reality to improve features such as tailgate opening, general visibility and minimising interior reflections. 

The tests and developments were conducted in the CAVE - a Computer Automated Virtual Environment. 

Work took place in Cologne, Germany, with engineers using 3-D glasses framed with motion detectors, while sitting inside a prototype interior to examine how to change and adapt the aforementioned factors for the benefit of drivers. 

According to Ford, the 3-D CAVE system has helped to change the way they look at car design, using the technology to analyse and test thousands of design details in a quicker and more efficient process. This could change things as little as cup-holder placement, to the positioning and visibility of the rear-window. 

Tourneo Connect chief programme engineer Stephen Leash said: “We still rely on the know-how and imagination of our engineers to bring smart new designs to life, but this sophisticated tool enables them to develop the car in a digital world and then actually get in it and experience it as a customer would.”

Posted by Sebastian Turkenburg