The tool presented at hub.berlin is the result of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) funded research project AVP3. In future, the tool is to be used in the field of virtual engineering to develop products more efficiently. The aim is to use Virtual and Augmented Reality to realistically evaluate the sound properties of products. Within the project, Fraunhofer IDMT has been responsible for the digital product model auralization.

New: Integration of realistic object acoustics in VR environments

At present, VR technology is mainly used in product development for the stereoscopic, interactive visualization of digital models, methods and simulation results. The inclusion of the realistic acoustics of objects, that changes according to hearing perspective and position, has not yet been considered in VR environments. "This means that sounds from product models have not been perceived up to now. That will change," explains the head of Acoustics business unit, Dr. Sandra Brix.

A particular challenge for the researchers is the establishment of a format for the description and exchange of acoustic product data. "This standard does not exist yet," Brix continues. In a further step, the auralization tool will be developed in such a way that it can be seamlessly integrated into VR systems, such as for virtual product development.

Visit the Fraunhofer joint booth at the hub.berlin ("Interactive Area") and try out our system for acoustical virtualization.