From dupontp@division.co.uk Tue May 16 01:04:34 1995 Return-Path: Received: from mx4.u.washington.edu by stein2.u.washington.edu (5.65+UW95.02/UW-NDC Revision: 2.32 ) id AA21368; Tue, 16 May 95 01:04:34 -0700 Received: from shallow.division.co.uk by mx4.u.washington.edu (5.65+UW95.02/UW-NDC Revision: 2.31 ) id AA00272; Tue, 16 May 95 01:04:25 -0700 Received: from pierre (pierre.division.co.uk) by shallow.division.co.uk with SMTP id AA03909 (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for scivw@u.washington.edu); Tue, 16 May 1995 08:00:46 GMT Date: Tue, 16 May 1995 08:00:46 GMT Message-Id: <199505160800.AA03909@shallow.division.co.uk> X-Sender: pierre@shallow.division.co.uk Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable To: scivw@u.washington.edu, ukvrsig@mailbase.ac.uk, VRASP , Virtual Reality Magazine , VR Montly , Indian VR-SIG , The HITLab , pcmike@aol.com, VrE Online , Andrew Moulden <100071.116@compuserve.com>, cp@atma.it, galbiata@atma.it, Virtual Reality Society (Macredie) , Virtual Magazine Italy , Diego Montefusco From: dupontp@division.co.uk (Pierre duPont) Subject: PRESS INFO: Electrolux Uses VR Shopping X-Mailer: Status: OR Electrolux Uses Virtual Reality in Virtual Showroom Cologne, Germany - 7 May 1995 - Electrolux has completed a successful trial of virtual reality techniques for presenting kitchen appliances to consumers, in the first European =93virtual reality shopping=94 activity of= its kind. Because of advanced virtual reality tools from Division Limited and sophisticated computer models of Electrolux appliances, prospective buyers were able to learn about appliances in a realistic and fully-operative =91virtual=92 kitchen. Visitors on the Electrolux booth at an exhibition in Cologne donned a lightweight head-mounted display to enter a virtual three-dimensional kitchen outfitted with Electrolux products. Users moved around, opening the dishwasher, checking out the refrigerator, turning on the washing machine - even moving bottles on the table and opening a window above the sink. They could select different models and colours of appliances from an electronic catalogue by clicking on icons that could be called up in the kitchen=92s virtual space. Based on Division=92s dVISE Virtual Design Environment=99, Electrolux used a combination of 2D and 3D computer-aided design tools to construct complete kitchens. Variants of each kitchen appliance were included in the virtual model, and users could select a different appliance with a click of the 3D mouse. The changes were made by dVISE in real time, so that users could see the change as they made their selection. Using either advanced virtual reality head-mounted displays or traditional computer screens or video projectors, shoppers could view the kitchen and move around it interactively, opening cabinets and generally experiencing the world in a realistic fashion. Said one attendee at the exhibition in Cologne: =93This is an excellent, innovative way of presenting your designs and leading-brand image. This is the future of retailing.=94 The Electrolux virtual kitchen makes it easy for shoppers to compare various models of Electrolux appliances. Applied in retail settings, for example, the kitchen=92s sophisticated catalogue can= help shoppers become more comfortable with big-ticket purchases by enabling them to visualise how different appliances would look in their own kitchens. Shopping will be easier, and retailers can save millions in inventory cost. =93Customers at the exhibition saw us as an innovator using the latest cutting-edge technology to help our customers know exactly what they are buying,=94 said Frederic Marie, the manager with responsibility for the virtual shopping project at Electrolux=92s European Trade Application= Centre. =93We are now taking the results of this trial and looking at how such a virtual shopping system could be used in each of our showrooms across= Europe.=94 Electrolux developed their first virtual kitchen with Division=92s products and consulting services from Electronic Data Systems=92 (EDS) European Information Technology Centre (EITC) in Brussels. =93Response to the virtual reality kitchen has been especially strong,=94 said Elly Marsh of EDS, who= is responsible for the Electrolux partnership. =93At the EITC, we=92re already actively pursuing with Electrolux several new virtual reality opportunities in the European marketplace.=94 The Division Group of companies, the world=92s largest professional virtual reality group, specialises in providing virtual reality technology, products, and services for advanced engineering, marketing, and entertainment applications. With world-wide headquarters in Bristol, UK, Division has four US Offices and distributors across Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. The company has sold integrated virtual reality systems and services to a world-wide customer base of blue chip users that includes British Telecommunications plc, GTE, Nynex, British Aerospace, Glaxo, DoD, DRA, Virtual World Entertainment, McDonnell Douglas, NASA, EDS, and Matsushita. Its shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange. PHOTOGRAPHS: Available on request. CONTACTS: Pierre duPont, Division Limited +44 1454 615554 Frederic Marie, Electrolux +33 44 62 2414 >--------------------------------------------------< Pierre duPont, Marketing Director, Division Limited 19 Apex Court, Woodlands, Bristol UK BS12 4JT phone: +44 1454 615554 fax: +44 1454 615532 >--------------------------------------------------<