Recruited in January 2009 at Saint-Gobain Recherche in order to develop a virtual reality activity, Thierry has developed around 10 projects, allowing the installation of a new material to be optimised, the simulation of sound insulation and the results of thermal analysis to be illustrated.


"The term virtual reality encompasses the use of new digital technologies to enhance Saint-Gobain's solutions and provide support in developing research projects: concepts and innovations can be illustrated without physical mock-ups having to be built."

The digital technologies used range from computer generated images or augmented reality through to virtual reality. "We are developing immersive, interactive and real time applications. The more sensations are used, the more a situation close to reality is produced."

For example, Saint-Gobain Recherche is seeking to develop new, more efficient products for the thermal insulation of buildings. "To back up this research, we have developed a virtual reality application that allows you to experience the different stages of implementation of a thermal insulation system from the outside. This allows us to test innovations and note the time savings and cost."

Virtual reality can also be useful in training: "We have created a program for training in the application of facade renders. It requires a technical movement of the body that has great importance on the final quality of the work. The program allows you to repeat the movement as many times as you want applying a virtual render on a virtual facade, but handling a real spray gun."

To the virtual reality itself, digital images are added and augmented reality. "With digital imaging, we produce images that give a realistic rendering of glass façades, their reflections and the light passing through the glass," Thierry explains. "For Lapeyre, we are developing augmented reality applications that can assist with sales, such as the ability to change kitchen units virtually before buying them."
 
These technologies offer researchers the ability to foresee potential problems, give them assurances about the feasibility of their projects as well as helping showcase the Group's innovations and solutions. "The Virtual Reality activity has a real general function with, at the same time, both a marketing aspect and an R&D support role."