Virtual Recreation

The Design Fabrication Zone (DFZ) at Toronto Metropolitan University is an interdisciplinary hub for design and fabrication that supports early stage ideas in their journey from prototype to mass manufacturing. Naturally, a hub like DFZ contains advanced technology that has recently been limited in physical space due to the outbreak of COVID-19. 

The DFZ wanted to find a way for DFZ participants to learn and be trained to use the technology within their own Creative Technology Lab (CTL), without having to set foot in the DFZ. The DFZ Esch 20/20 challenge called for a solution to this problem.

“If it wasn't for the Esch Challenge, we would not have had this opportunity to explore this avenue of setting up virtual labs,” Chitaaluri says. “In the months, we have developed many skills and dealt with many challenges that go into building an application of this scale and the journey has just begun.”

The team at veREM proposed the best solution. Led by Vamshi Chittaluri and Jafer Kamoonpuri, they will be developing a 3D recreation of the CTL in which DFZ participants can interact with the technology and learn how to work the machinery virtually. This allows participants to gain a full understanding of the lab space and technology prior to entering the DFZ. 

Through their work with DFZ, veREM hopes to expand their service offerings in virtual reality across the workplace and employee training sector. The aim to bring designs to life and create more efficient workflow and break-down communication barriers amongst cross-functional teams.

Chittaluri says without the Esch 20/20 Challenge, the veREM team would not have had the opportunity to further develop their product.

“If it wasn't for the Esch Challenge, we would not have had this opportunity to explore this avenue of setting up virtual labs,” Chitaaluri says. “In the months, we have developed many skills and dealt with many challenges that go into building an application of this scale and the journey has just begun.”