Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
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Scientists from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University have registered an interactive simulator of a virtual hot air balloon gondola, developed on the Unity platform.
The program is designed to analyze cockpit design and ergonomics, opening up new possibilities for aircraft manufacturing and related high-tech industries. Designing aircraft cockpits requires attention to every detail. Any error in the arrangement of instruments or controls can impact pilot performance and flight safety. Traditionally, producing physical mockups for testing is time-consuming and expensive. The development by Polytechnic University scientists simplifies and reduces the cost of testing, enabling improvements to aircraft cockpit designs at the digital prototyping stage.
The app clearly demonstrates how virtual reality technology is moving from entertainment to essential tools for industry and science. For example, it was used to precisely digitize a real nacelle and create a virtual prototype, which can be used for interactive testing. The user (engineer, designer, pilot) is immersed in the virtual space, interacts with cockpit elements, and evaluates the convenience and logical layout of instruments and equipment. Any identified deficiencies can be quickly and cost-effectively addressed.
The program was developed to test a specific object—the gondola of Fyodor Konyukhov's hot air balloon. During his visit to the Polytechnic University, the famous explorer was able to Use augmented reality glasses to see the interior space and evaluate the cabin's ergonomics and express your suggestions for improving the design.
"We created a virtual replica of the hot air balloon gondola we designed for Fyodor Konyukhov so he could inspect it in virtual reality, check its ergonomics and usability, and suggest improvements. After receiving feedback, the engineers were able to make changes to the design," said Alexander Kuptsov, a junior research fellow at the Industrial Stream Data Processing Systems Laboratory at the St. Petersburg Polytechnical School of Engineering. "In other words, our program served as a tool for visually demonstrating and then easily communicating all the modifications for incorporation into the design."
The development has a wide range of applications in the engineering field and opens up prospects for further adaptation to specific needs.
"In general, these applications operate on a common principle—you could call it a VR dressing room, where we design an object and, before creating an expensive real-world mockup, add a virtual simulation, a digital twin, eliminate the most obvious errors, and the next prototype is already of higher quality," explained Alexander Kuptsov. "This is applicable, in principle, to any field that has a similar development cycle, and we can additionally integrate this preliminary verification stage."
This development represents a significant step in integrating virtual reality technologies into engineering design. SPbPU researchers have created unique algorithms for user interaction with virtual objects, focusing on precision rather than mere visualization, and have developed methods for using a game engine to solve complex technical problems.
Implementing the program into industrial production will reduce the costs of manufacturing and redesigning physical prototypes, making the process of testing and refining designs faster and more accessible. Ultimately, a thorough and in-depth ergonomic assessment will contribute to the creation of safer and more comfortable cabins.
The program can also be used to train students in aeronautical and mechanical engineering specialties.
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