Written by / Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

MT2 2011 Volume: 16 Issue:4 (June)

 

Havok, a provider of interactive software solutions for simulation and characters in the games industry, is announcing its collaboration with TerraSim Inc., a developer of advanced software solutions for geospatial technologies. The alliance will enable the research and development of new capabilities which will link Havok’s industry-leading simulation technologies to TerraSim’s rapid generation of correlated virtual, constructive and serious game environments from geospatial source data.

“We are pleased with the initial results of our collaboration with TerraSim. We are very excited and already seeing compelling results that allow us to connect games technologies to real-world data,” said Cory Kumm, director of military & simulation at Havok. “We look forward to continued research and development with TerraSim to provide enhanced technologies for the military and simulation industries.”

Havok brings its expertise of games technology to its recentlylaunched Military & Simulation division, offering a complete portfolio of simulation technologies including real-time simulation of physics and destruction, tools for character animation, and navigation and scenario scripting. TerraSim’s products are a natural complement to Havok’s suite, and are widely used to support customers in diverse markets, including defense modeling and simulation, site modeling for intelligence preparation and civil applications for 3-D visualization.

“Our early results are promising as further evidence of the robustness and adaptability of our geospatial technologies,” said David M. McKeown Jr., president at TerraSim. “It’s been a pleasure to work with Havok and we look forward to continuing our joint efforts.”

Optimized for high performance and scalability, Havok technologies have a proven capability of supporting complex, large-scale simulation environments, while TerraSim continues to support a number of industry standard formats allowing customers to integrate real-world GIS (Geospatial Information System) data with mission rehearsal and training.

Cory Kumm; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Next Generation Modeling Tool

Concurrent, a provider of realtime Linux solutions for missioncritical applications, introduced the next generation of its SIMulation Workbench modeling environment for real-time hardware-in-the-loop and man-in-the-loop simulations. This modeling tool provides a new, easy-to-use interface with Simulink that eliminates manual intervention, ultimately enhancing product quality and reducing development costs.

In the new release of SIMulation Workbench, models can be easily imported from Simulink using a new SimWB Configuration Tool, eliminating a need for inserting hardware specific S-function blocks. Model parameters are automatically extracted from MATLAB/Simulink Coder C/C++ and mapped into SIMulation Workbench’s Real Time Database, allowing them to be modified at run-time.

SIMulation Workbench now has support for 64-bit versions of MATLAB/Simulink as well as I/O devices based on Ethernet for Control Automation Technology (EtherCAT). Near-term product development plans also include support for the ASAM Automotive Electronics (AE) Hardware-in-the- Loop API.

“SIMulation Workbench is the industry’s foremost modeling tool designed to meet the most demanding simulation needs,” said Ken Jackson, vice president, real-time for Concurrent. “This new release not only delivers a whole new level of ease-of-use and productivity for our customers, it also makes us one of the first to provide support for 64-bit versions of MATLAB/Simulink.”

With SIMulation Workbench, developers can configure, control, log and play back simulation runs via easy-to-use GUI interfaces. It is available as a fully-integrated test platform on Concurrent iHawk COTS multiprocessing platforms featuring the latest Intel and AMD multicore CPUs and running the popular RedHawk Linux operating system. It also supports a wide range of COTS data acquisition I/O boards and industry protocols including ARINC 429, MIL-STD- 1553, FlexRay, CANbus and EtherCAT.

Bill Kahn; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Innovative iPad Training with GL Studio

The Disti Corporation, a provider of advanced graphical user interface technology, has been supporting AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, in the development of an innovative mobile application for aviation training, using the GL Studio iDevices Toolkit.

Beginning with the iPad, AgustaWestland is developing a range of mobile applications to improve the flexibility and effectiveness of training media within its courses. By leveraging this next generation of hardware and software technologies, AgustaWestland is able to provide more immersive and flexible training for students, while removing physical barriers to learning.

AgustaWestland is developing multimedia learning content on the iPad for a number of key customers in 2011, consisting of both controllable courseware as well as more complex emulations of aircraft systems. An initial proof of concept was developed for the Apache Tactical Situation Display, which provides a visually compelling, tactile and interactive emulation of the main mission computer for the aircraft.

John Ponsonby, senior vice president of training, AgustaWestland, said, “We are constantly looking to improve the quality of the learning experience we provide to our customers. I am particularly excited by our latest developments in mobile learning with Disti tools, which provides a step change in the way our students absorb knowledge.”

Disti’s GL Studio iDevice tool kit was used to develop these state-of-the-art iPad applications. Interactive 3-D models and graphical emulations created in GL Studio can be deployed on devices such as the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. The sophisticated embedded code generation ability of GL Studio, coupled with its high fidelity visual display and secure capabilities, gives developers the ability to rapidly create content without compromise.

Joe Swinski, CEO, Disti Corporation, added, “Because Disti and AgustaWestland share a common vision for the future of training, we are honored to provide AgustaWestland with quality tools to support their development of this highly innovative mobile training application.”

Chris Giordano; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Correlated 3-D Terrain Software Unveiled

TrianGraphics GmbH announced the release of Trian3D Builder 4.0—a database generation system for detailed correlated 3-D terrains of arbitrary size. The new software version was showcased at ITEC 2011.

Trian3D Builder is offering a modern userdriven approach to terrain generation and is now entering the driving simulation market. The application’s general philosophy to use any kind of real-world data for a fully automated terrain generation was expanded by complex road networks from navigation data (e.g., OpenStreetMap, NavTeq). With minimal preprocessing steps the visual database is generated with profiled roads, crossings, markings, signals, tunnels and lane transitions.

Roads can also be generated from arcs and clothoids and thus correspond to road construction rules. The database can be exported to OpenDRIVE format, which provides the logical description for driving and traffic simulations.

Besides the new roads functionalities Trian3D Builder 4.0 also offers various other new features. The technology partnership with Gamr7 and the integration of their procedural building generation allows the generation of detailed urban scenarios, a feature that complements well with the advanced road networks. Another new partnership with Edgedsign Inc. led to a library of high quality environment realtime models with over 500 entries, including buildings, vehicles, vegetation, etc. An additional library from TrianGraphics offers multiple high detailed geotypical textures with object definition, various facade textures and also a multitude of low-poly models.

Considerably optimized terrain generation performance, new measure capabilities and vector processing tools, and building interiors with various types of floor plans add to the comprehensive feature set that Trian3D Builder is offering.

With the new Steel Beasts Pro exporter Trian3D Builder covers another serious games platform. Steel Beasts Pro’s diversified ground types integrate perfectly into Trian3D Builder’s generic and geotypical terrain generation algorithms.

“High-detail content creation is becoming a more and more important aspect of real-time simulation projects.” said Stephan Kussmaul, managing director, TrianGraphics GmbH.

“With the rising demands and expectations to database quality, the creation effort essentially rises. We address this issue by offering highly automated tools that can be handled easily. With the new roads features, the Gamr7 building integration and also the new libraries offered, urban scenarios can now be generated even more quickly.

Stephan Kussmaul; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Major New Open Source Initiative for Collaboration

The OpenQwaq project is based on the commercial software that Teleplace has been delivering to the market over the past four years. It is a highly-secure, enterpriseclass virtual collaboration platform that has been used by large commercial enterprises and federal agencies. The OpenQwaq project enables organizations—large and small, profit and not-for-profit—to implement virtual workspaces for their specific needs.

OpenQwaq is released under the GPL v2 license and is available for download immediately at code.google.com/p/openqwaq

Leaders Share Vision & Set Expectations

Creating a workplace that reflects a leader’s vision is known as “climate shaping”—and it’s increasingly important as organizations face pressures that can lead to employee shortcuts and other undesired actions.

To help leaders build a workplace that guides and reinforces the right choices and behaviors, Aptima, the R&D company which applies expertise in how people think, learn and behave, has created Climate, a new leadership development training suite.

Built on the latest academic research and business practices, Climate will teach leaders how to actively share and propagate their vision, shaping the actions and decisions of workgroups throughout the organization. Launching at the 2011 ASTD International Conference & Exposition May 22-25, Climate is designed to help leaders to assess their workplace climate, to role-model and articulate standards, and keep them in place through reinforcement.

The Climate suite includes the Climate Workshop, a facilitator-led, story-based discussion with simulation exercises; the ClimateCard, a pocket reference guide with quick tips for practical daily use; and the ClimateApp, the mobile application for AppleT, Android and BlackBerry smart devices.

“The common wisdom that ‘people make the place’ recognizes the fact that values drive the organization, and leaders need to imprint their vision if they want those values mirrored throughout the workplace, particularly if they’re inheriting an adverse climate,” said Zachary Horn, Ph.D., manager of Aptima’s leadership solutions. “Leaders can’t be present to directly manage all people all the time, but they can create a workgroup mentality where employees clearly understand and do the right thing in alignment with their expectations.”

In 2008, The United States Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences contracted with Aptima to explore better ways to train Army leaders to build and maintain ethical climates in their units. A finalized version of the workshop materials will be available to the Army in January 2012. ♦

Zachary Horn; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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