Seminar Reports Back Number 2009

CONFERENCESEVENTSSEMINARSSEMINAR REPORTS

Seminar Reports Back Number
2011201020092008200720062005



Up&Coming 2009 Report
8th International Conference on Urban Drainage Modeling/8UDM
16th ITS World Congress Stockholm
ROTREX2009/ Incheon, Korea
2nd Construction Computer Application Forum
2nd Asia Bridge Summit /Shanghai, China
2nd VR Symposium -World16 Summer Workshop
Overseas Event Report(September 2009 FORUM 8)
The 10th UC-win/Road Conference / The Inaugural VR-StudioTM Conference
Overseas Event Report July 2009
Report of the C1-2 Experiment Pre-analysis Contest
Report of Experience Seminar & Allplan, BIM Solution
Experience Seminar for the Engineer's Studio
IEEE VR 2009
ITE 2009
2009 Intertraffic China
imagina2009
Civil Forum: The First Civil Forum Under Collaboration of Five NPOs in Different Fields of Construction
2nd International VR Symposium
The 7th 3D VR Contest Report
ITS New York
SIGGRAPH ASIA (Singapore)
Car testing Japan



8th International Conference on Urban Drainage Modeling/8UDM
(Up&Coming 2009 Late Fall issue)
FORUM8 exhibited at the 8UDM(the 8th International Conference on Urban Drainage Modeling- city sewer modeling), which was held in Hongo campus of University of Tokyo from September 8th to 11th, 2009.
Over 200 researchers from Universities and research organizations from various countries gathered at the 8UDM to present their latest findings.
The presentation on the whole mainly focused on the city rain wastewater management system in Asian countries, the influence of climate change on city sewer systems and its scenario, city flooding analysis and its model, city flooding prediction and risk analysis, land use and quality of the water, sewer structure and the hydrodynamics and RTC modeling.
At our FORUM8 booth, we introduced our analysis and design software featuring the latest version of xpswmm2009, rain water analysis / flood analysis software as well as UC-win/Road, VR software.
The 3D video clip showing the analysis result of xpswmm made by UC-win/Road for xpswmm- which expressed the time series change of the rise and fall of water, the time series change of the speed vector of the flooding water surface plus the time series rise and fall of water level in conduit change - attracted much interest and acclaim from visitors because of its dynamism.

Visitors and FORUM8 staff at our booth



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16th ITS World Congress Stockholm
(Up&Coming 2009 Late Fall issue)
Conference outline
We joined the 16th ITS World Congress held in Stockholm, Sweden from Sept 21st to Sept 25th.
The ITS World Congress is held each year in cities all over the world. Automotive and parts manufacturers around the world gather at the conference and introduce and exhibit their latest technologies.
We have participated at the conference since 2004 at Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture and since then in San Francisco (2005), London (2006), Beijing (2007) and New York (2008) exhibiting UC-win/Road and its system.

About the FORUM 8 booth
At our booth we exhibited UC-win/Road Driving Simulator, Eco driving simulator by using UC-win/Road Eco Drive plug-in , UC-win/Road Communication plug-in and Virtual Arizona Phoenix Formula 1 Racing Game which uses the 5 channel video screen function.
The Eco-Drive Simulator calculates driving log simultaneously and displays the fuel consumption of the driver. Since the Eco-Drive can output the report at once, we gave visitors the printed report of his/her own driving, and a total of 240 visitors experienced the Eco Drive Simulator.
Users can change the design of some parameters and the report. Some visitors implied that the customizable feature can be applied to their eco-driving system.
Another exhibit, UC-win/Road Communication plug-in, featured a racing game connected to our headquarters in Tokyo through the Internet. Visitors enjoyed the experience of racing with 2 racers in the booth in Stockholm and one racer in Tokyo.


FORUM 8 booth

Ribbon cutting ceremony at ITS JAPAN booth
FORUM8 President Yuji Ito took part in
ITS JAPAN booth


Simulator for the Vehicle-Infrastructure Cooperative Systems that support safety driving (UC-win/Road Experience Simulator type)

Simulator, introduced in User Introduction Toyota Motor Corporation of Up and Coming Vol. 77 was also exhibited.
TOYOTA booth

One of the simulators in the booth, which was equipped with a 5 channel video output function, displayed a racing scene to the 5 screens. It allowed visitors to experience dynamic driving. Many visitors were surprised to see that the real time competition with Tokyo was being held.
Some visitors were considering to use Communication plug-in for research purpose.
They were thinking of using the scenario function to simulate natural human driving behavior which is hard to express.

Presenting paper and poster session
For the first time FORUM8 have submitted and presented papers. Thea Hack Lorentzen of VR Support Group presented the papers which covered two themes.
One of the themes was Virtual reality simulation for transportation, which was showing the case of road design, city plan, consensus building, driver training and evacuation simulation by UC-win/Road.
The second one was titled "model for optimal alignment search", having written with Tokyo University of Agriculture, Central Nippon Expressway, NEWJEC Inc, we presented the link between "OHPASS", Optimal Highway Path Automatic Search System using genetic algorithm (GA) and UC-win/Road.
OHPASS is an epoch-making system, which can draw out the final road alignment plan and its construction cost by using GA technology. Link between OHPASS and UC-win/Road allows road alignment consideration in the first step, cost estimation and VR simulation.
After the presentation, we heard an inquiry about the application of the system from a road design consultant, it shows that our presentation was of great interest.

Plan for the next congress
The 17th ITS World Congress in 2010 will be held in Busan, Korea with the theme, "Ubiquitous Society with ITS". We are planning to participate in the congress by exhibiting the latest ITS technology by VR-StudioTM and UC-win/Road. Please look forward to our future developments.
UC-win/Road Driving Simulator Eco Driving Report screen

Thea Hack Lorentzen of VR Support Group presenting   PPT presentation



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ROTREX2009/ Incheon, Korea
(Up&Coming 2009 Late Fall issue)
FORUM8 has taken part in ROTEX2009: International Road & Traffic Expo 2009, which was held on September 23-26, 2009 at Songdo CONVENSIA in Incheon City, Korea. With the 13th REAAA: Road Engineering Association of Asia Australasia being jointly held, it has become a large scale convention with more than 20000 people from 155 countries participating at the conference.
Visitors included the national government people of Korea and other Asian countries, construction consultants, construction companies, laboratories of transportation. They have shown their interest in the ITS system and the new transportation technologies.
We jointly participated in the conference with our Korean distributor BASIS Soft Inc. We exhibited 3 UC-win/Road Driving Simulators and demonstrated mainly driving simulation. Micro Simulation Player, which directly displays VR data imported from traffic simulation program, attracted much interest and acclaim from people at the conference.
In addition, real vehicle type driving simulator using UC-win/Road was displayed at our customer Korea Road Agency with many visitors experienced it.
ITS World Conference will be held in Busan next year. We are planning to join the conference.
FORUM8 DS(Korean Road Agency booth) Basis Soft/ FORUM8 booth



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2nd Construction Computer Application Forum
(Up&Coming 2009 Late Fall issue)
FORUM8 participated in the "2nd Construction Computer Application Forum " (organized by the China Civil Engineering Process Association) on Sept 24th-25thin Shanghai, China. Since the theme this year was "3D model and expression of virtual reality realization in construction process", 10 software vendors including FORUM8, Autodesk and Bentley Systems participated at the forum. FORUM8 submitted 2 papers, UC-win/Road, Engineer's Studio(TM), both of which are on the collected papers of the forum.
At the exhibition booth, we introduced VR system using UC-win/Road. The driving game, which utilizes our new feature Communication plug-in attracted lots of interest and attention with many people experiencing the simulator first hand. We also presented a 20 minute lecture for the introduction of the sample cases of UC-win/Road MicroSimulation plug-in.

at FORUM8 booth
The China Civil Engineering Association conference is held annually. Since the theme is very popular and is drawing a lot of attention these days, we had more than 200 visitors from leading construction consultants, universities and research laboratories.
The conference will be held in Halpin next year with the theme of 3D modeling and BIM.
Lecture site Our Presentation



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2nd Asia Bridge Summit /Shanghai, China
(Up&Coming 2009 Late fall issue)
The 2nd Asia Bridge Summit was held in Shanghai, China, organized by Shanghai Mersis on September 24-25, 2009. The 2-day conference has seen more than 150 experts and researchers from all over the world including China, Japan, Korea, India as well as South East Asia, Europe and North America.
19 experts who are trying new challenges gave lectures. Introduction of new technologies and discussions were held about the life cycle of bridges, planning, design, production, transportation, construction and maintenance.
Experts and people from the national governments of China, Korea, Thailand and Malaysia held panel discussions on the subjects of standard bridge design in Asian countries, especially the cross border construction project supported by ODA.

Exhibition room
FORUM8 participated in the summit as one of the exhibiters and introduced Engineer's Studio(TM),UC-win/FRAME(3D), as well as giving information and exchanged opinion about Japanese bridge simulation technology.
The 3rd Asia bridge Summit will be held in Shanghai in June 2010.
Panel discussion At lecture site



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2nd VR Symposium -World16 Summer Workshop
(Up&Coming 2009 Fall Issue)
For 4 days starting from July 28th to 31st, 2009, the World16 group convened in Japan for the second summer workshop. The first was held for 3 days during August 12th to 14th, 2008, in Phoenix, AZ - at that time it was known as World8.
The goal of World16 group is to continue to build on the research foundations created with the initial World8 group using VR by UC-win/Road; many of the new members will be cooperating with existing members on research this year.
Opening of the workshop

Participants summary
This year, World16 welcomes Mr.Thomas Tucker (Winston-Salem State University - USA), who will cooperate with ongoing participant Mr.Ronald Hawker (Zayed University - UAE). Together, they hope to visualize a large portion of Ras al-Khaimah Village to understand the relationship between the built and natural environments across ecological zones.
Also joining this year are Mrs. Ruth Ron (University of Florida - USA) and Mr. Matthew Swarts (Georgia Institute of Technology). They will use UC-win/Road to visualize an area surrounding a new highway in Florida, and with it, determine successful ways to represent sound levels.

Newcomer Mr. Paolo Fiamma (University of Pisa - Italy) is currently planning to collaborate with continuing member, Mr. Claudio Labaraca (Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile - Chile). While currently this is still in a planning phase, they hope to utilize UC-win/Road with other analysis software (including Frame 3D), representing the construction process.

Also joining this year is Mr. Marcos Novak (University of California, Santa Barbara - USA).
He is planning to experiment with the simulation possibilities of UC-win/Road with microcosms of bodily processes and decisions.

Mr. Yen-Liang Wu, (AW) (National Chiao Tung University - Taiwan) will also be joining as a new World16 member. He will be investigating the modeling of a new luxury housing development, incorporating roads and terrain into VR for assessment.

Continuing members Mr. Taro Narahara and Mr. Kostas Terzidis (Harvard University - USA) will work together on creating permutations in design and representing them using UC-win/Road. They are also attempting to integrate a physical touch interface into their research project.

Mr. Wael Abdelhameed (University of Bahrain - Bahrain) continues this year as well. He will be focusing on energy modeling for insulation and construction simulations.

Also continuing from the original 8 is Mr. Tomohiro Fukuda (Osaka University). This year, he will be working on mixed/augmented reality (MR/AR), trying to integrate a digital model of Osaka (by UC-win/Road) with a large physical model.

Mr. Andrew Chung represented McGill University (Canada), with returning member Mr. Michael Jemtrud. This year, they will work on using UC-win/Road to model urban renewal and intersection traffic for Montreal.

Finally, Mr. Yoshihiro Kobayashi (FORUM8 AZ President, Arizona State University - USA) continues to coordinate the World16 efforts as a host. At this time, he is also conducting his own research into the usage of 'baked' lighting with procedural building creation for rapid city modeling.

In the Tokyo main office, the members participated in discussions and tutorial sessions that focused on building their understanding of UC-win/Road. This was a crucial step in helping them formulate initial ideas for what types of projects they will undertake.

After two days in the Tokyo office, the group traveled to Hakone, Japan for further sessions.
In Hakone, the members had a chance to finally sit down with UC-win/Road on their own, attempting to work through some of their initial ideas. During this time, members of FORUM8 Tokyo and FORUM8 AZ assisted with individual questions about how to use and even exploit the software.
Questions covered things such as: how to use the MicroSim plug-in for incorporating external simulations, how to work between a variety modeling applications, and how to push UC-win/Roads own capabilities.

During the last day, each member presented their ideas for how to proceed with their research. This provided an excellent opportunity to share knowledge between a diversity of disciplines and software proficiencies (with not only UC-win/Road, but many applications) to help the teams refine their goals.

FORUM8 and FORUM8 AZ will continue to provide support to the members through the upcoming symposium using the established message board:
http://forum8az.com/phpbb/
This will also provide members an opportunity to continue to receive information and updates from each other, providing a stronger method of communication, thus creating a truly collaborative research effort.
World16 will continue to build upon the success and foundations established with World8 as they proceed with their efforts for the third VR Symposium that will be held in November 19, 2009.

Workshop at FORUM8 Tokyo office World16 and FORUM8/AZ staff


Appearance of Hakone Hisui Workshop at Hakone Hisui


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Overseas Event Report(September 2009 FORUM 8)
(Up&Coming 2009 Fall Issue)
ITS Asia Pacific Bangkok, Thailand
FORUM 8, jointly with Twoplus Soft Co.,Ltd., exhibited at ITS Asia Pacific (http://its-ap2009.its-thailand.org), which was held on July 8-10, 2009 at Pacific Queen Sirikit National Convention Center
Research and development cases of ITS technology in various countries and regions being introduced, the exhibition became the center of precious discussions and communications for the spread of ITS in Asia. At exhibitors' booth, ITS Japan and ITS body from other companies and Driving Simulator which introduces ITS technologies of Toyota Co have attracted attention.
FORUM 8 have set Driving Simulator corner in our booth to introduce UC-win/Road ECO-drive plug-in, A lot of visitors has experienced the Driving Simulator.
In Public Transport Session, our staff presented a paper about "Sakai City Oshoji LRT Project VR data", which received Excellence Award at the 7th 3D VR Contest last year, as a case study of UC-win/Road used for transportation system.
This event has lead to the introduction of UC-win/Road by university users in Thailand.

Minister-level officials experienced Driving Simulators

AITPM Adelaide, Australia
AThe Australian Institute for Traffic Planning and Management brings together a group of professionals and researchers involved in improving the safety, efficiency and sustainability of transportation to its conference every year. Attendees included traffic engineers, transport planners and researchers, as well as policy makers, urban planners and elected local government representatives involved in decision-making. This year, the conference was held in Adelaide, Australia for 3 days starting August 4th to 6th. The theme of this year's conference was gTraffic beyond Tomorrow" and the presentations and discussions focused on outlining challenges and future responses including topics such as construction traffic management, bicycle networks, traffic performance measures, and modeling tools. This year's conference also included an interactive forum which allowed small groups to discuss public transport, active transport, and community development issues. This was a successful event where practitioners were able to share their traffic management experiences and solutions with colleagues working in other countries or states.
FORUM 8 presented a paper on gVirtual Reality Simulation: Integrating Drivers and Environments" and exhibited UC-win/Road and UC-win/Road Drive Simulator to introduce our traffic visualization solution to attendees.
FORUM8 Thea Lorenzen presenting a paper

VR Simulation For Sustainable Transportation Planning : Public Participation in Sakai City's LRT Design
>> FORUM 8 Papers presented
>> Also introduced by SpringerLink (springerlink.com)




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The 10th UC-win/Road Conference / The Inaugural VR-StudioTM Conference
(Up & Coming July, 2009))
New Edition (UC-win/Road) and New Products (VR-StudioTM) Coming Soon:
Also Introducing the Overview of "World16" with Diversified Uses of 3D / VR


FORUM8 held "The 10th UC-win/Road Conference / The Inaugural VR-StudioTM Conference" at Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa in May 20, 2009.
It was May 2000 that the three-dimensional real-time virtual reality (VR) software "UC-win/Road" was released. The first UC-win/Road Conference was held in Imperial Hotel Osaka in November in the same year. Since then, FORUM8 (the Company) positioned this conference as a goal of continuous improvement and development of software, each time making presentations upgrading and such. In doing so, the conference has extended its scale year by year. At first it was only held in Osaka, then the meeting place extended to Tokyo, and still to main towns in foreign countries (the seventh conference in 2006 was held sequentially in Tokyo / Seoul / Beijing / Shanghai). The current form was adopted at the eighth conference (2007). Considering many lecturers and users invited from the foreign countries, we treat them with care, for instance, by preparing for simultaneous interpretation of foreign languages (this time English, Chinese, and Korean).
At this 10th time, the conference presented the latest information on development of FORUM8's products, focusing on the new version of UC-win/Road (Ver.4), which will be released in September this year, and the first edition of "VR-StudioTM", which is expected as the succeeding tool of UC-win/Road and is scheduled to be released in August. In addition to the main sessions entitled "New Developments with VR-Studio" with emphasis on advanced and unique cases of utilizing VR, there were technical sessions focusing on "Driving Simulator" and "CAD & VR" respectively. At the same time, we installed demo simulator with 6-axis motion in the open space in front of the main hall, and many participants experienced the latest VR technology.

10th UC-win/Road Conference / VR-Studio(TM) Conference presentation data NEW !


Main Sessions in the Morning Hours

Starting at 11 a.m., Yuji Ito, President of FORUM8 delivered an opening speech, mentioning the histories of UC-win/Road from its release and of the conference from its establishments up to now, over these 9 years. Subsequently, he described the positions of UC-win/Road and VR-Studio, which are coming soon, their development status and support system, and their capability to respond to advanced and diversified needs.

Besides, in parallel with 3D VR Simulation Contest that started after receiving "Software Product of the Year 2002", "International VR Symposium" has been held since 2007, lead by "World8" organized for marketing the products of the next generation based on VR-studio. This year, the Symposium and the Contest are scheduled to be integrated with the "FORUM8 Design Conference" for the users of UC-win/FRAME(3D), a three-dimensional analysis program for space-framed structures, and UC-win/UC-1, which had been held separately so far. This is to be held on a larger scale as the FORUM8 Design Festival (Nov. 18 - 20, 2009 at Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa).

At the same time, the Company developed educational tools such as an introductory book of UC-win/Road and the handbook for application, as well as the qualification system including that of VR engineers qualified by FORUM8. On the other hand, the Company strengthened coordination with software such as CAD, analysis software, and GIS (geographical information systems), or with hardware including a driving simulator and the motion platform. Through these efforts, according to him, the whole vision of the Company drawn 10 years ago is mostly realized, and the Company is going to develop new possibilities with VR-Studio serving as a strong engine.

Developer's Lecture: VR-Studio Ver. 1, New Advanced VR Function
First, Senior Engineer of FORUM8 NZ in charge of development of VR-Studio gave a speech. He focused on its difference from UC-win/Road, including the new user interface (UI) realized by adopting the ribbon control technology, support for large-scale (space) data, and support for multi-user editing. After explaining a procedure of creating / setting / editing of such as roads, cross sections, cut, banking, and the ramp, he demonstrated how to operate those functions.

For the latter part of the lecture, our staff made a presentation about the new functions of "UC-win/Road Ver.3.4", which is to be released in June. They included various expressions of fire and smoke and how to set up them; and the function to link with "OSCADY" by the UK's Transport Research Laboratory, a traffic network signal control optimization program. Then the upgrading points of "UC-win/Road Ver.4" planned to be released in September were explained in terms of improvement in the function of creating data, qualitative improvement of images, extension of the capable displays and hardware, stepping up in the trial of driving simulation, improved usability, etc. Further, the policy was stated to aim at improvement in the script function, realization of log output function, improvement in the expression of pedestrians, and extending data conversion function.
Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa VR-Studio Ver. 1, New Advanced VR Function


Afternoon Sessions

Sessions were held in three different places from 1 to 5 pm. Main Sessions (Stream-1) were held under the theme of "New Developments with VR-Studio", and Technical Sessions under "Driving Simulator" for Stream-2, and "CAD & VR" for Stream-3. The main points of special lectures and presentations in each session (Stream) are as follows:

Main Sessions: New Developments with VR-Studio (Steam-1)

Special Lecture 1:
Technology for Consensus Building in Community Development: Safety and Security Map of Town with VR Modeling
Speaker: Mr. Hiroo Kasagi, Representative Director of Workshop for Sustainable Community (NPO Chiikizukuri Kobo)

The first speaker in Stream-1, Mr. Hiroo Kasagi explained the roles of a facilitator who supports consensus building in community development by coordinating the side of administration and engineers and the side of residents. He has been focusing on the effectiveness of UC-win/Road since he used it for the first time in the urban plan highway project for Nishisuma District in Kobe City, for which he took charge of facilitation. This time, he concentrated on map creating as one of the methods of facilitation in town planning, showing the procedure of creating a map in an analog fashion. He reproduced the way he had created a map by actually walking around the Nakameguro Station for this lecture. Furthermore, he presented the VR data created by the FORUM8 staff with UC-win/Road based on this map. He concluded from the result that a new way of consulting for a plan could be expected, such as comparative review of alternative plans in conjunction with hazard maps, which is impossible only by a traditional paper-based method.
Mr. Hiroo Kasagi, NPO Chiikizukuri Kobo "Technology for Consensus Building in Community Development: Safety and Security Map of Town with VR Modeling"

Special Lecture 2:
Demonstration Experiment on a Cruise-assist plan at Ohashi JCT Utilizing DS
Speaker: Mr. Seiya Tazawa, Manager of Survey and Environment First Group, Tokyo Construction Bureau, Metropolitan Expressway Co., Ltd.

He showed the overview of the project of Ohashi Junction (JCT) to connect the Shinjuku Line of the Central Circular Route, the Shinagawa line of the same Route, and Route 3 (Shibuya Route). According to him, it included the structure to treat the underground tunnel (35m deep) and the overpass structure (35m above ground) with maximum difference of elevation of about 70m due to the spatial constraints with four-leg intersection, and connect them with a loop turning over twice. On the other hand, there was a concern about the decrease in a driver's ability to perceive space, as he or she should drive on a loop in a closed space. Thus it was required to verify its effects and influences by using a driving simulator (DS) reflecting the cruise-assist plan. Timeframe was of particular importance in this task. The completed image of JCT was reproduced realistically with UC-win/Road within nearly three months after the decision of introducing our DS. In the lecture, he demonstrated the images of DS used for the verification experiments by 18 subjects on the plan, which was developed in terms of guiding to the junction, controlling the speed, and preventing collision. Based on the results of DS, a verification experiment was performed again using the materials similar to those in the actual site. It was found through these experiments that guidance with colors is effective though requiring consideration of color contrast, that markings of distance and warning boards in the tunnel are effective, and so on. In addition, DS was utilized effectively in such places as the trial corner in events, according to him.
Mr. Seiya Tazawa, Metropolitan Expressway Co., Ltd. "Demonstration Experiment on a Cruise-assist plan at Ohashi JCT Utilizing DS"

Special Lecture 3:
Applications of DS at NASVAnet, an Aptitude Diagnostics System for Drivers
Speaker: Mr. Tomoyuki Fuse, Chief, Safety Instruction Department, National Agency for Automotive Safety & Victims' Aid (NASVA)

First, he described the purpose and actual situation of the aptitude diagnostics service provided by NASVA. According to him, a new type of DS was required that was able to secure the stability of the measurement results, not to bore regular clients, and to analyze the actural driving behaviors. As a solution for this, NASVA created a model course along which about 20 events occur while driving on an urban highway, shopping streets, and an expressway ranging over about 5km, using UC-win/Road. Assuming three types of car for driving including a truck, bus, and a passenger car, simulation of diagnostics of driving was performed for more than 200 subjects in total, consisting of professional drivers in their twenties to seventies. At this occasion, NASVA recorded the speed, driving locations, distances from surrounding objects etc. at every 1/30 second using the data recording function of UC-win/Road, and computed the data distribution by generation and by type of a car. Based on the score distribution of the samples, the measurement of evaluation was developed for each diagnostic result in terms of safe and ecological driving, hurried driving, preventive driving, and thoughtful driving to use for evaluating clients. It has already been applied to almost 20,000 testees. It was analyzed that all items of diagnostics were recognized to be appropriate, though there seemed to be some effect of having the diagnostics twice repeatedly. Based on this, NASVA is planning to increase driving courses, as well as set up special courses for specific types of business.
Mr. Tomoyuki Fuse, National Agency for Automotive Safety & Victims' Aid (NASVA) "Applications of DS at NASVAnet, an Aptitude Diagnostics System for Drivers "

Special Lecture 4:
New Trends in ITS Image Sensing Technology and Utilization of VR
Speaker: Prof. Yoshimitsu Aoki, Associate Professor, Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University

The Laboratory of Prof. Aoki was studying various image recognition technologies for the purpose of assisting safe driving as well as improving comfort and convenience in relation with ITS (intelligent transportation system). As a part of this, his lecture focused on the possibility of linking VR with the technology to assist safe driving that he is studying. One of the things that he pays attention to is a system to evaluate quality of driving (QOD). Based on the motion images of the foreground shot by a video camera, it records the degree of meandering, proper speed, secure vehicular gap and such while sensing them in real time, and use them as parameters of evaluation. Since the DS that has been used so far is getting old, our DS is expected to apply to various experiments such as QOD evaluation for long-time driving, drunk driving, and drive dozing with our DS. Another thing he pays attention to is development of accident analysis software that reproduces the occurrence of an accident quantitatively by analyzing the images of an accident recorded in a drive recorder through image processing. He performed demonstration using the data created by the Company in order to show the concept in concrete. In future, he is willing to produce a useful system in cooperation with those outside the university, utilizing advantages brought about by the fusion of the result of realistic sensing and VR, especially in the cases for which it is difficult to analyze real images.
Prof. Yoshimitsu Aoki, Keio University New Trends in ITS Image Sensing Technology and Utilization of VR


Technical Sessions: Driving Simulator (Stream 2)

Presentation 1:
Development of the TOYOTA Infrastructure Coordination Simulator

Our staff presented the situation of development and overview of Infrastructure Coordination Simulator, which was utilized at the booth of TOYOTA in the 15th ITS World Conference held in New York in November 2008.
" Development of the TOYOTA Infrastructure Coordination Simulator"

Presentation 2:
Drive Simulator Updates: New DS functions, Eco-Drive Option

Our staff explained about the newest functions of our DS. As an eco-drive option especially, we provide a plug-in that enables to measure the driving characteristics of a driver in terms of ecological driving. This is used to calculate the amount of fuel consumed while driving based on the driving log of UC-win/Road, and to graph the amount of CO2 emission. It is also proposed to support various simulators including a railroad simulator.
"Drive Simulator Updates: New DS functions, Eco-Drive Option"

Special Lecture 6:
Linkage Between CarSim and UC-win/Road
Speaker: Mr. Eiji Takita, Technical Manager, Virtual Mechanics Corporation

Mr. Takita spoke about physical calculation of behaviors of vehicles using "CarSim", a simulation software program for vehicle motion. He also mentioned various cases of introducing it into automobile manufacturers mainly, linkage with related software programs including UC-win/Road, and further potentialities expected from this.
"Linkage Between CarSim and UC-win/Road"

Presentation 3:
Open Micro Simulation Plug-in

OpenMicroSim is an open format that the Company developed and proposed (the file format for use is open to public at HYPERLINK "http://openmicrosim.org/"). Our staff discussed the Micro Simulation Player of the Plug-in. He also introduced a function to replay simulation of various types rendered by the movement of a 3D model, as well as its application examples.
"Open Micro Simulation Plug-in"


Technical Sessions: CAD & VR (Stream-3)

Special Lecture 7:
Approach to 3D CAD in Construction Information Standard Committee
Speaker: Mr. Minoru Akiyama, Director, Standard Department, Japan Construction Information Center Foundation auth. MLIT (JACIC)

To open up Stream-3, Mr. Akiyama firstly described the Committee's overview including its activities, organization, and main tasks. Next, he explained the trends and positioning of 3D CAD and 3D information in the Committee, CALS/EC Action Program (AP2005 and AP2008), and the grand design of utilizing infrastructure-related information for the 4th Three-year Plan of Promoting Standardization of Infrastructure-related Information.
"Approach to 3D CAD in Construction Information Standard Committee"

Presentation 4:
Frontiers of GIS-VR Data: From Analysis, CAD, GIS and Google Earth to VR

Following the previous lecture, our staff described the trends of standardization of various information on construction related with VR, as well as the involvement of CAD, Analysis, GIS, construction equipment, and design linked with VR. He especially spoke in detail about the linkage of UC-win/Road with things like "OSCADY" (traffic flow analysis) or GIS data, as well as the new functions of Micro Simulation Player and 3D arrangement of bar.
"Frontiers of GIS-VR Data: From Analysis, CAD, GIS and Google Earth to VR"

Special Lecture 8:
Linkage between OHPASS and UC-win/Road: Constructing a Three-dimensional Highway Landscape Design System
Speaker: Mr. Toshio Terao, Executive General Manager of Kinki Branch, NEWJEC Inc.

Mr. Terao discussed the background for developing Optimal Highway Path Automatic Search System (OHPASS) using genetic algorithm (GA), its system overview, and the improved efficiency of design by using it. Moreover, with regard to the three-dimensional highway landscape design system constructed by linking it with UC-win/Road, he mentioned its overview, verification of the system and problems found through it, and his view about its future potential.
"Linkage between OHPASS and UC-win/Road: Constructing a Three-dimensional Highway Landscape Design System"

Presentation 5:
3D Digital City Construction

In the next presentation, our staff proposed construction of 3D City models using VR-Studio. He discussed the possibilities of applying them to wide-ranging types of advanced simulation, e.g. ranging from landscape to traffic and various disasters.
"3D Digital City Construction"
The Last Main Session:
The closing speech was delivered as Special Lecture 5 from 5 pm, integrating from each session places into the main hall again.

Special Lecture 5:
New Developments for the 3rd International VR Symposium
Speaker: Prof. Yoshihiro Kobayashi, Director of FORUM8 Arizona and Assistant Professor, School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture, College of Architecture & Environmental Design, Arizona State University (ASU)

First, Prof. Kobayashi introduced his involvement with the Company starting with "Digital Phoenix Project", which he has been working on since 2006 at ASU, positioning of VR technologies in his own research, and his recent studies.

On the other hand, "World8", which was mentioned at the opening, was established in November 2007 based on his proposal. An unprecedented attempt, this international academic group was formed by 9 scholars from 8 universities ranging over 7 countries. Starting from the 1st International VR symposium (November 2007), they continued research through VR Workshop at ASU (August 2008), and the 2nd International VR Symposium (November 2008), when their activities achieved the original goal. Following this, they expanded the scale further in 2009, when VR-Studio is to be released. He states that a new "World 16" project is beginning to move.
Concerning this, the dedicated Web site (http://world16.forum8az.com/) is already set up aiming at sending and sharing information about "World 16". Besides, selection of new members is ongoing. Three of the new members gave lectures keeping the activities as "World16" in mind for this conference, as follows.

Speaker: Prof. Ruth Ron, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, University of Florida
In this conference, Prof. Ruth Ron participated in the video representing the new members, with a lecture entitled "Downtown Orlando, Florida: Redesigning I-4, Bridge District".

Speaker: Mr. Yen-Liang Wu, Ph.D Candidate in Digital Design Media, National Chiao Tung University (NCTU), Taiwan; Lecturer at Asia University, Taiwan
On behalf of Prof. Yun-Tung Liu, Graduate institute of Architecture, NCTU, Mr. Yen-Liang Wu, who is also a new member, gave a lecture entitled "Exploring Applications of Virtual Reality in Architecture".

Speaker: Prof. Thomas Tucker, Assistant Professor, Department of Fine Arts, Winston Salem State University
Finally, Prof. Thomas Tucker gave a lecture entitled "Emirati heritage in architecture in Geographic Context: The Rams-Dhayya-Barama triangle as Case Study".

After all the sessions were over, we held a networking party for exchanging information among our guests, users, and us. A lot of people joined it. We are most grateful for sharing this significant opportunity with all of you.

Design Festival
FORUM8 Design Festival
DATE : 18-20 November, 2009
PLACE : Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa (plan)

The 8th 3D VR Contest will be scheduled on 20 November, 2009.


 

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Overseas Event Report July 2009
(Up & Coming July, 2009))
BrnoSafety 2009
BVV Veletrhy Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
BrnoSafety 2009 focused on the increased needs in transportation safety and road in Europe.
As Czech Republic was the host of the event, major coverage involved the illustration of the nation's critical accident rates.
Presenters from European nations discussed about the various problems and came up with solutions to alleviate the existing situations through infrastructures upgrade and mass education to the communities.
There were only 2 software providers that participated in the event and FORUM8 is proud to be one of them.
We were the sole exhibitor among many participants that showcased virtual reality and the use of Drive Simulator as tools to help improve transportation safety.
In this 2day event, many representatives from local governments participated and gave guest lectures.
This event was a good opportunity to market the use of UC-win/Road and the UC-win/Road Drive Simulator in Europe.

 APPLICATIONS OF VR SYSTEMS FOR ROAD AND TRAFFIC SAFETY (PDF , 294KB)

9th International Symposium on Smart Graphics
University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
At the International Symposium on Smart Graphics 2009, researchers of computer graphics, visualization, art graphic design, cognitive psychology and artificial intelligence gathered.
The focus of sessions and discussion in the symposium were graphic solutions that support linkages with other fields.
The essay and presentation on the project, in which UC-win/Road was used for consensus building was presented as part of demonstrations and exhibitions.
Video recorded simulation was broadcast during the 5th International Arts Festival of Castilla y Leon.

 Virtual Reality for Consensus Building: Case Studies (PDF , 3,082KB)

2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America
Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center National Harbor, Maryland U.S.A.
At this year's ITS America Annual Meeting, skilled professionals interested in heightening safety and efficiency of traffic system in America gathered for this event.
The theme for this year is "Moving America Forward " and the convention was held in United States Capitol, to facilitate the intereaction between the Diet members and the members from Ministry of Transportation.
We were involved in several areas ? the exhibit of UC-win/Road drive simulator, interactive poster session as well as a paper submission pertaining to the application of virtual realty driving simulation which combined infrastructure planning, traffic models and driving behaviors.

VIRTUAL REALITY DRIVING SIMULATION: Integrating Infrastructure Plans, Traffic Models, and Driving Behavior (PDF , 927KB)

>> You can see the theses at SpringerLink




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Report of the C1-2 Experiment Pre-analysis Contest

On Thursday 5 March 2009, the C1-2 Experiment Pre-analysis contest of "2007 / 2008 Research presentation of earthquake resistance experiment for piers", sponsored by the National Research Institute for earth Science and Disaster Prevention in Japan, on the third floor of World Trade Center building which locates in Hamamatsu-cho, Minato-ku, Tokyo ,Japan. UC-win/FRAME (3D) analysis support team won the pre-analysis contest (E-defense) in the fiber model class. Following are summary and analysis models of the contest.

13 August, 2008 on the website(http://www.bosai.go.jp/hyogo/) of Hyog Earthquake Engineering Research Center, National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention, registration applications of the C1-2 Experiment Pre-analysis contest started.

FORUM8 tried to this contest through the UC-win/FRAME (3D), which is popular among many users, Adding Aoto to the team who belongs to Yoshikawa lab of civil engineering course, Tokyo City University.

The C1-2 experiments assume the piers which were constructed in 1970s and have two stepped rebar arrangements in the middle of it. The height of piers not including footings are 7.5 meter and the column parts are 6.0 meter and diameter of the column is 1.8 meter. The contest was divided into two parts of "Pre analysis" and "Post analysis". The former was literally conducted before experiment and in the latter analysis was conducted using the response acceleration spectrum, which was resulted from the experiment.

This contest adopted a blind analysis contest, so we were only told a drawing, weight and test results of materials. The dynamic analysis model based on these materials was modeled as shown in the figure below. The subjected pier of experiment and the total system including neighboring piers and girders. This model was consisting of total nodes number was 585. The number of fiber elements for the pier was 6, and elastic beam elements for other extra material were 735.

Details about the fiber elements for analysis are as following. The pier was divided into upper and lower parts because material test values of them have a difference value. Frame of concrete hysteresis is a stress-strain curve of concrete considering lateral restraint effects, which is defined on the page 160 of the specifications for highway bridges V seismic design part. Inside history adopted Sakai-Kawashima model. Because it doesn't meet a guideline for reinforcing bar arrangement of current specifications for highway bridges, restraint affected by lateral restraint reinforcements cannot be considered. To differentiate from concrete cover, core concrete is considering the 20 percent of residual strength toward peak strength. Reinforcement hysteresis is bilinear type of framework and inside history consider the Bauschinger effects. About the column which is modeled with fiber elements, the length of material is set to become 0.9 meter as the approximately half diameter.
Damping is stiffness proportional by elements and damping coefficient of fiber elements is set equal to zero.

Regarding a bearing, the sliding bearing of the end of the pier is modeled through a bilinear type of spring.
the spring adopts the upper limit, of which friction force is calculated from the coefficient of friction of ƒÊ=0.2, and fall-prevention bearing on the targeted pier adopts asymmetric spring, which is only effective to a contact direction.

Here is the result. Following is a displacement history on the top of the pier. It shows the component of vertical direction on the left and the direction to the bridge axis on the right. You can find the red of experimental results traced better than grey. The graph is cut because collision of a girder and a beam with a guard fence after 12.5 seconds prevent its evaluation.


Following shows the relation of the reaction which developed on the fixed bearing of bridge axis direction and displacement of the upper end of the pier. It is conceivable that large deviation after 200mm was caused by above crush. Before crush, displacement history is matched as well as the one of the upper end of the pier.

National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster prevention (NIED) will disclose the detail of the experimental results. We try to improve the quality of products, reviewing the actual experimental results and the analysis values. We hope your continuous support.
UC-win/FRAME(3D) analysis support team, Development director (right), co-recipient , Mr. Aoto Hiroyuki (second right) of Yoshikawa Hiromichi Laboratory, Tokyo City University (former Musashi Institute of Technology)

>> UC-win/FRAME(3D) Analysis Support Service
UC-win/FRAME (3D) analysis support team won the pre-analysis contest (E-defense) in the fiber model class



 

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Report of Experience Seminar "Allplan" BIM Solution

Overview of Allplan seminar
As introduced in the Up & Coming vol. 78, the Allplan is BIM integrated solution for 3D civil engineering and construction CAD, developed by Nemetschek in Germany. Allplan seminar was held on March 16, 2009. Total 25 persons from 20 companies participated in the seminar, held at four places through a Video Conferencing System: FORUM8 Tokyo head office, Nagoya business office, and Osaka and Fukuoka branch offices. We would like to take this occasion to thank attendees.

We explained each functions of Allplan Architecture and Engineering at the first half of the seminar.
And at the second half of it, attendees got hands-on practice, creating simple building models.

Q & A
Followings are Question and Answers received from attendees.
  • Q1.I would like to know about the link between the UC-win/Road and the Allplan.
    A1.UC-win/Road can read terrain data, but cannot read line data. Import / Export of 3DS models between UC-win/Road and Allplan is available.

  • Q2.Can existing 2D CAD drawings be modeled into 3D models by adding walls or doors to the drawings ?.
    A2.AutoCAD data such as DXF can be set as background and the height of wall can be added to the 2D CAD drawings.
  • Q3.Can it support a multi-user file management?
    A3.Allplan features the workgroup manager, which allows separate setting of surfaces.

  • Q5.Can created building models be output into 2D construction drawing?
    A5.Using layers allows you to output with a title or company name.

  • Q6.Does it support Japanese standards of reinforcement arrangement?
    A6.It is not supported yet. BUt regarding a component of automated reinforcement arrangement, diameter is preset. The tool which allows you to define reinforcement arrangement individually is available.
Article introduced by media
The seminar was introduced by Kenplatz of Nikkei Business Publications (Nikkei BP).
Please see "Allplan landing on Japan! The BIM world enter a new era of "Super Squadron"(Japanese Version Only)

Future schedule in 2009
The end of April Launch Allplan English Version
Tuesday 14 July Allplan Experience Seminar
Main venue: FORUM8 Tokyo head office GT tower seminar room
Concurrent events at Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka through a Video Conferencing System
The end of September Launch Allplan Japanese Version
Wednesday 11- Friday 13
November
Japan Home and Building Show 2009


 

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Experience Seminar for the Engineer's Studio
(Up & Coming 2009 fresh green leaves issue)
•Experience Seminar in Japan
Experience Seminar for Engineer's Studio was held on Friday 13 February, 2009, linking four sales representatives of Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka with the Miyazaki branch office as a development office through a video conferencing system. 28 attendees from all parts of the country received an explanation of products overview in the first half and received hands on training in the second half. Engineer's Studio is a general structure analysis program adding plane elements to beam elements of UC-win/FRAME(3D). We received good reputation for its improvement of analysis functions and an user friendly interface.
We keep developing to support several design standards,
•Experience Seminar in Oversea
We held an experience seminar of Engineer's Studio in Seoul, Capital of South Korea on Tuesday 24 March, 2009 and in Shanghai and Beijing, China on Wednesday 25 March, 2009 linking with our Tokyo head office through a video conferencing system. After finished the seminar, we received good reputations for a new interface. Also we received inquiries for the products to support international design standards. To meet them we will expand functionality of the products.


 

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IEEE VR 2009
IEEE VR 2009
March 14-18, Cajun Dome Convention Center
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana, USA
IEEE VR 2009

IEEE VR is a conference and exhibition focused on presenting the latest and emerging technologies in the field of 'virtual reality' from around the world. Prior to attending, FORUM8 submitted a video, highlighting the diverse applications of the UC-win/Road VR software and the UC-win/Road Drive Simulator. This video was selected for inclusion within the materials given to every participant, providing a significant opportunity for exposure for the company.

Many of the exhibitors that participated in IEEE VR were academic institutions, promoting their research, including scent-distribution systems for VR set-ups, or new hardware, including different haptic and user-interface devices. Many academic attendees were interested in the simulator features and its connectivity to the UC-win/Road software; the scenario features were especially compelling as many noted that their current systems lacked such features.

Commercial companies also exhibited, mostly showing their hardware systems, including a variety of display options. Many of these commercial companies offer solutions that can partner well with FORUM8 and UC-win/Road.

In summary, IEEE VR allowed FORUM8 to become exposed in new fields related to the advancement of VR, with interest showing from both academic and commercial institutes, focusing on the existing and potential capabilities of UC-win/Road and the UC-win/Road Drive Simulator.

VIDEO by UC-win/Road has been adopted in the VIDEO class, IEEE Virtual Reality 2009. New!
UC-win/Road 3D VR Contest Review VIDEO by Reid Baker of FORUM8 (mov format 1,034,232KB)

* QuickTime of Apple Inc. is required to watch the movie, >>Free QuickTime Download

<Related Information>
Video Gallery -The 7th 3D VR Simulation Contest Review 2008-Nov. (Japanese Version Only)



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ITE 2009 Phoenix, Technical Conference and Exhibit
ITE 2009 Phoenix, Technical Conference and Exhibit
March 22-24, Phoenix Convention Center
Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA


The ITE Technical Conference and Exhibition was held in Phoenix, Arizona this year. ITE stands for the Institute of Transportation Engineers and is an international organization whose goal is to facilitate the development of transportation systems . ITE seeks to assist professionals in the advancement and development of transportation systems in the areas of planning, design, safety, implementation, and policy creation, to meet growing needs.

FORUM8 exhibited at this conference with the aid of the newly established FORUM8 AZ office. At this exhibition, a simulator was used to highlight UC-win/Road and its capabilities, including simulator connectivity. Displayed with the simulator was the 'Digital Phoenix Project', a large digital model of the City of Phoenix, host city for the event, created in UC-win/Road. This allowed FORUM8 to display a number of features relevant to the conference, while enabling attendees to actually drive through the streets surrounding the convention center. This allowed for the conveyance of how UC-win/Road can be used to effectively show developing infrastructure including for the use of road and rail systems. Further, many companies were interested in how to use UC-win/Road's 3D capabilities to display data that exists only in 2D format, including trajectories of people and vehicles.

Many exhibitors who participated were hardware focused, creating new signs and lighting systems for road development. FORUM8 promoted the notion of UC-win/Road as an effective tool for expressing how signs may look and perform in real life before their creation through the use of VR.

In summary, FORUM8 was one of the few software providers allowing them to stand out in the exhibition to those looking to use VR for advancing their transportation system development.




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2009 Intertraffic China CONNECTING INNOVATION TO INFRASTRUCTURE
http://www.china.intertraffic.com/intertrafficchina2009/e (Up & Coming May, 2009)

Shanghai is the largest city in commercial, financial and industrial fields in China. Growing of recent years by leaps and bounds is attracting many attentions from overseas. FORUM8 exhibited "2009 Intertraffic China" held in Shanghai from Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 March, 2009. It focused on the topic of traffic facilities, traffic safety and traffic management. In 2008 it was held in Beijing and in this year it was held in Shanghai. FORUM8, which exhibited "UC-win/Road" and "UC-win/Road Drive Simulator" received high reputations, introducing VR application cases in civil engineering fields to attendees from over the world. Exhibition summary is as following.

Even under the global financial crisis, 180 business companies exhibited, of which 30% were from oversea.
Total number of attendees was over 5,500 and many technical seminars were held concurrently with the exhibition.
In our booth, we mainly exhibited UC-win/Road Driving Simulator and introduced VR application cases in Japan. We had hands-on activities to experience the latest driving simulator including an ECO driving.
Moreover Attendees was able to experience the "UC-win/Road". We presented demonstration of 3D VR data creation, introduction of the prize-winning works in the 7th 3D VR Simulation Contest, which were very popular.
It will be held back again in Beijing at same time in next year..





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imagina2009
Overview (Up & Coming March, 2009)
FORUM8 have joined imagina2009 held in Grimaladi Forum of Monaco, from 2 to 6 February, 2009. Large number of exhibitors have registered and joined this year. This was about 30% increase from the 2008. Albert II of Monaco has visited our booth and offered his congratulations.
>>imagina2008 Seminar Reports

Advanced technologies of UC-win/Road as our main exhibition, have rated highly from visualization experts come from over the world. Some visitors who joined imagina2008 have remembered UC-win/Road and they seem to have been surprised at new functions of UC-win/Road, as well as others who joined the Laval Virtual, held in France before do.

Also, FORUM8 have held the workshop for 30 minutes during the event to introduce that how the UC-win/Road works under driving simulations. In addition, we have also explained new function of VR-Studio, which is scheduled in May 2009.
We are pleased to have joined imagina2009 again, and are proud of being in one of leading software providers in the world.





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Civil Forum: The First Civil Forum Under Collaboration of Five NPOs in Different Fields of Construction
(Up & Coming March, 2009)
NPOs Including Those Supported by FORUM8 Made an Appeal to Public on The Role of Construction Engineers

On February 5th, Civil Forum was held entitled "The roles of NPOs and groups of engineers in the fields of construction --- aiming at social contribution, self-realization of construction engineers, and activation of NPOs" sponsored by five NPOs (non-profit organizations) in relation with civil engineering and construction at the lecture hall of Japanese Society of Civil Engineers (Yotsuya, Tokyo).

"This is not only a part of promotion of cooperation among NPOs, but also the 5th Forum to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the forum series of 'Land planning and town planning based on public involvement' held annually by our NPO," says Mr. Yoshihisa Hanamura, Chief Director of NPO IT Station "Citizens and Construction" (Citizens and Construction), clarifying the position of this forum.

Citizens and Construction initiated its activities as an NPO in November 2003. Its goals are to promote public involvement in public works projects, and thus contribute to creation of environment comfortable to live in and planning lands and towns that are rich and safe. To achieve these goals, Citizens and Construction pursues a mission to bridge citizens and governments with regard to land planning and town planning, providing related information to the public. It also collaborates with civil activities aiming at utilization of public facilities and structures with emphasis on environment and disaster prevention. In addition, it is also planning to support utilization of IT (information technology) that is a key to having communication among the parties involved, as well as to encourage computerization of national land and utilization of IT in the construction industry. Through these activities, it has held different forums and seminars.

Citizens and Construction reconfirmed its initial visions at the opportunity of 5th year of establishment as a corporation (6th year of establishment). Then it drew up a scheme of energizing its activities more in order to fulfill its social responsibility along with networking NOPs for civil engineering and working to solve common problems in cooperation. In August 2008, "Civil NPO Liaison Conference" (tentative name) was established, consisting of five NPOs including Citizens and Construction, Onkososhin-no-kai, Engineers Without Borders, Hashimori (Bridge Keeper) Support Center, and Hito to Michi Kenkyukai (Society for the research of people and roads). Through examining various issues, they came to plan Civil Forum aiming at appealing to the society concerning such efforts and ideas.

Under the objectives of having engineers and NPOs in the fields of civil engineering and construction gathered in one place, exploring problems and finding out a future prospect, the Forum of this time placed special focus on promoting social involvement of experienced engineers and cooperation among NPOs. 110 participants attended the Forum from all over Japan, including those from the Society and governmental organizations.

First of all, Professor Osamu Kusakabe, Tokyo Institute of Technology gave a keynote lecture entitled "The roles of NPOs and groups of engineers in the fields of construction." He explained difference between NPO and NGO (non-governmental organization), negative aspects that an NPO is subject to suffer from and tips for coexisting by getting differentiated, roles required for NPOs in the construction fields, technology transmission required for groups of engineers who had accumulated technological experiences and the challenges for realizing this, expectation for NPOs in the future, etc.

Entitled "Aiming at social contribution and self-realization of construction engineers and activation of NPOs," the following panel discussion consisted of a coordinator Shigeyuki Obayashi (NPO Representative of the Society of considering regional education and culture and taking into actions) and four panelists: Professor Osamu Kusakabe; Mr. Shigetsugu Seino, Chief Director of NPO Onkososhin-no-kai; Mr. Masanori Hamada, Chief Director of NPO Engineers Without Borders (Professor at Waseda University); and Mr. Yoshihisa Hanamura. At the opening, overviews of these NPO's activities and their problems were presented respectively, followed by discussions on common problems of NPOs in the construction fields including promotion of participation of experienced engineers and securing funds for activities. Matching social needs with engineers' willingness, or harmony among self-help, public help, and mutual help were identified as the tips to vitalize NPO activities. In addition, reflecting a high level of interest in this kind of topics, positive remarks were provided from the audience.

Mr. Yoshihisa Hanamura, Chief Director,
NPO IT Station "Citizens and Construction"
Panel discussion at Civil Forum

<News> New Series "100 Best Bridges" Will Be Starting from Next Issue
(Up & Coming 2009 early spring issue)


 


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2nd International VR Symposium
Event Overview (Up & Coming January, 2009)
International Network of Energetic Researchers in the Field of Architecture
New Direction of Using 3D VR and Its Potential


FORUM 8 held the"2nd International VR Symposium" in November 19 at Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa.

Since its release of the first version in May 2000, opportunities of utilizing"UC-win/Road", a 3D real-time virtual reality (VR) software product has steadily expanded along with the continuous strengthening of its functions and diversification of the application fields. The release of "VR-Studio", which is expected as a strategic VR product of the next generation, is coming soon (scheduled in 2009). Originally, International VR Symposium was started in 2007 by FORUM 8 to reinforce the global expansion of VR with"VR-Studio" as its core, as its development got accelerated. This time, just as in the case of last year, it was held in connection with the 7th"3D VR Simulation Contest by UC-win/Road", which was held on the following Nov. 20th at the same venue.

Background to the Vision of"World 8" and its Realization
The idea of "International VR Symposium" was born when FORUM 8 participated in SIGGRAPH 2007, held at Sand Diego, CA in the USA. In the exhibition, Assistant Professor Yoshihiro Kobayashi, School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture, College of Architecture & Environmental Design, Arizona State University proposed us a plan of creating a framework of a new, worldwide link among architectural researchers on the basis of the present situation, challenges, or needs in the architectural field in the world.

Developed as a tool to support consensus building of public works projects including highway projects,"UC-win/Road" enables diverse and advanced simulation with its outstanding functions of creating and editing VR, and by linking various types of data and tools. In addition, it supports several languages besides Japanese such as English, Chinese, and Korean at present. Partly because the Company has made efforts in pioneering new application areas, participants from foreign countries and unique application cases have been increasing in the above-mentioned contest.

Under such circumstances, Prof. Kobayashi drew a picture with the following main points:
1) Explore a new VR application with dynamic agents and contents including traffic and human models
2) Develop a new framework of research and development between architectural schools and a software developing company, such as FORUM 8
3) Create a worldwide professional working group on 3D city modeling and visualization using a common platform.
This exactly coincided with the management policy of FORUM8, who was aiming to promote global expansion in the field of VR.

Next, the missions were developed as follows:
1) Create VR models from various points of view using UC-win/Road as a common platform.
2) Share the knowledge of 3D modeling and visualization developed by each researcher through a common platform.
3) Develop tools for UC-win/Road as a common platform through activities during a year ahead.

With those who agreed upon these points,"World 8", an international academic group was organized. The nine members come from 8 universities in seven countries. They are:
- Kostas Terzidis, Associate Professor of Architecture, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University; and Mr. Taro Narahara, Doctor of Design Student, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University (USA)
- Michael Jemtrud, Associate Professor of Architecture and Director, School of Architecture, McGill University (Canada)
- Carlos Calderon, Professor in Architectural Informatics, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, New Castle University (UK)
- Wael Abdelhameed, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, College of Engineering, University of Bahrain (Bahrain)
- Ronald Hawker, Associate Professor, Department of Art and Design, College of Arts and Sciences, Dubai Campus, Zayed University (UAE)
- Claudio Labarca Montoya, Associate Professor, Faculty of Architecture, Design and Urban Studies, Pontificial Catholic University of Chile (Chile)
- Tomohiro Fukuda, Associate Professor of Environmental Design, Sustainable Energy & Environmental Engineering, Osaka University (Japan)
- Yoshihiro Kobayashi, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture, College of Architecture & Environmental Design, Arizona State University (USA)

As a kick off of its activities, the"1st VR Symposium" was held on November 20, 2007, at the Headquarter of FORUM 8. There the establishment of"World 8" was declared, with presentations of research and VR model application cases by the members, and of other invited speakers.

Next, in August 12 - 14 in 2008 in Phoenix in the US,"VR Workshop at ASU" was held. It consisted of training for using"UC-win/Road", an interim report as"World 8", discussion, and others.

The"2nd International VR Symposium" of this time is positioned as a milestone for the activities of World 8. Along with special lectures, the efforts and VR application works were presented by the members.

Contents of the"2nd International VR Symposium"
The"2nd International VR Symposium" opened up with the greetings by Prof. Yoshihiro Kobayashi, who coordinated"World 8" and its series of activities, followed by special lectures presented by Professor Nashwan Dawood (University of Teesside, UK) and Professor Edwin R Galea (Fire Safety Engineering Group, the University of Greenwich, UK).

Special Lecture 1: "VR Application to Construction Project Management"

Professor Nashwan Dawood (University of Teesside, UK)

First, Professor Nashwan Dawood (Director, Centre for Construction, Innovation & Research, School of Science & Technology, University of Teesside, UK) gave a special lecture entitled"Virtual Reality Application To Construction Project Management".

Prof. Dawood, who specializes in construction management and information technology (IT), introduced CCIR for which he serves as the director of the center to begin the lecture. Next, he listed up various problems in construction industries in Europe nowadays. Focusing on VR as a tool to solve them with its functions such as real-time visualization simulation, he described future possibilities of improvement to be brought about by VR use to constructing processes and their products.

Based on this, he mentioned the attempts to study improvement effect through utilizing VR simulation in the planning phase of the virtual construction site, explaining the ideas based on 4 dimensions and 5 dimensions. He gave an explanation on various project cases implemented by actually introducing those models, using images.

Besides, as recent unique examples, he talked about joint studies with utility services on the application of Augmented Reality technology using GPS (Global Positioning System), research projects of urban planning that link urban modeling as a base with assessment of social, environmental, and economic analysis, and an effort to develop technology that leads to decreasing energy consumption by visualization and simulation approach based on BIM (Building Information Modeling) in a major project"IntUBE (Intelligent Use of Buildings' Energy Information), which had started only 6 months before.

Furthermore, after introducing VR and simulation technology that attract attention and new methods of training and education, he showed his view that these could become a driving force of change in the areas of construction and urban planning in the future.
Prof. Nashwan Dawood Presentation of"VR Application to Construction PM"
Construction Innovation and Research Application of 4D to town planning

Professor Ed Galea (Fire Safety Engineering Group, University of Greenwich, UK)
He has been working in the area of FSE at Greenwich in UK since 1986. He is active as Director of Fire Safety Engineering Group established in the University. (FSEG: studies on fire and human behavior, and crowd behavior in evacuation and usual time.) He received many awards including"SFPE Jack Bono Engineering Communication Award (2008). At present, he also takes part in various projects and is active in verification experiments, investigations and publishing theses.


Special Lecture 2: "EXODUS / SMARTFIRE"
Professor Ed Galea (Fire Safety Engineering Group, University of Greenwich, UK)

Professor Edwin R Galea, Director of Fire Safety Engineering Group (FSEG), School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences, the University of Greenwich, UK gave a special lecture entitled"Computational Fire Engineering: The computer simulation of fire and evacuation".

First of all, Prof. Galea showed an overview of the University of Greenwich and the story behind the establishment of FSEG, its organization and main research subjects etc. Then he mentioned computational fire engineering that FSEG has been developing through its research for 20 years, and the application tools based on it. Considering the way how concepts of fire and evacuation had been understood and modeled through this approach using computational fire engineering, he explained their attention on panic and modeling human behavior on the basis of its analysis.

This is founded on a plenty of research and experiments conducted by FSEG. Data has been energetically collected concerning how people evacuated actually under various circumstances such as fires and accidents. It is the cultural influence on human behavior what he pays attention to as a part of the collection activity. Taking passengers' behavior in evacuating from London terrorist attack in the metro, and the metro fire in Korea for instance, as well as the behavior pattern in using an escalator in China and Spain, he concluded that there are obvious differences depending on the cultural background.

Next, he introduced models developed by FSEG with their functions and various application examples, including"building EXODUS" (evacuation model for building environment),"maritime EXODUS" (evacuation model for marine environment),"SMARTFIRE" (CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) software for fire modeling). In addition, he mentioned relationship between use of escalators, elevators, and stairs and human behavior, and the efforts under development such as new functions of"building EXODUS".


Prof. Ed Galea Presentation on "EXODUS / SMARTFIRE"
Support for an elevator (under development) UC-win/Road for EXODUS

Professor Ed Galea (Fire Safety Engineering Group, University of Greenwich, UK)
He has been working in the area of FSE at Greenwich in UK since 1986. He is active as Director of Fire Safety Engineering Group established in the University. (FSEG: studies on fire and human behavior, and crowd behavior in evacuation and usual time.) He received many awards including"SFPE Jack Bono Engineering Communication Award (2008). At present, he also takes part in various projects and is active in verification experiments, investigations and publishing theses.


Presentations of "World 8" Research

Prior to the presentations of"World8" research, Prof. Kobayashi explained the activities of"World 8" for the past year. He confirmed visions and missions that were referred to in the beginning of this article, or recognition of the problems in the present situation. Then he described the significance for the members to report the results of representing an idea of the respective one with"UC-win/Road" this time. In the future, as he continued, he wished to send out the research products positively, developing a larger project by using them.

Next, he made a presentation on"Digital Phoenix Project" that he had been working on, explaining the overview of the whole project and its latest situation, the process of creating VR models, new application examples with them as a basis, and the research that he is involved with.
Overview of World8 Activity

Prof. Yoshihiro Kobayashi, Arizona State University (USA)

Prof. Kostas Terzidis first explained about stochastic search as his latest study field. From this point of view, he expounded simulation through VR created with"UC-win/Road". He then talked about his focus on the automated functions of creating editing VR while demonstrating VR creation.
Prof. Kostas Terzidis, Harvard University (USA)

Mr. Taro Narahara explained his idea of developing a human behavior model that enables visualization of human psychological reaction towards the characteristics of building spaces, and using it in considering design. He then expounded his attempt of this time of creating models that represent realistic human movement using motion capture files and importing them into UC-win/Road, along with a challenge to see how many psychological elements can be incorporated. As a result, he concluded that he could confirm that it was possible, though indirectly as it was.
Mr. Taro Narahara, Harvard University (USA)

Prof. Wael Abdelhameed took part in the presentation through video. Taking an Egyptian project that he actually participated as a leader for instance, he presented a report entitled"VR Application in Physical Planning Project: a case study assessment". Based on several VR models created with"UC-win/Road", he explained the planned mechanism of reflecting abstract elements in assessment or decision making process. He paid attention to the possibility of"UC-win/Road" as a planning or design tool, which enables visualization of output on real-time basis.
Prof. Wael Abdelhameed, University of Bahrain (Bahrain)

Prof. Torben Berns, Visiting Professor at School of Architecture, McGill University (Canada) gave a speech on behalf of Prof. Michael Jemtrud. He mentioned the availability of"UC-win/Road" for urban design research and development projects, referring to a recent example of examining public transport infrastructure with tram cars in Montreal as its center. There"UC-win/Road" was used as a tool in development and communication with a community. He reported the evaluation of its use and suggestion for improvement from the members who actually operated it.
Prof. Torben Berns, McGill University (Canada)

Prof. Ronald Hawker explained that he placed greater emphasis on practical exercises through classes and that it was a question how to cope with integration with the curriculum of application research projects and insufficient resources. From this point of view, he expounded the significance of accumulating basic data for history and culture of UAE by transforming them into digital documents, which he had been working on. Among various software programs used in this work, visualization with"UC-win/Road" enables to obtain view points of different levels and angles. He believes that it provides advantages for him to understand the structure of each system while keeping privacy, said Prof. Hawker.
Prof. Ronald Hawker, Zayed University (UAE)

Prof. Claudio Labarca Montoya has incorporated 3D urban models and simulation into his own design process, while applying them in various places in the city of Santiago by linking them with urban city codes. He introduced the digital planning including visualization with 3D models conducted for a project concerning road development around a ski resort in the suburban area of the city as the central figure. He explained the work procedure using"UC-win/Road", the problems that had surfaced, and its advantages. He showed his hope on its potential for application.
Prof. Claudio Labarca Montoya, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (Chile)

The last speaker of the members, Prof. Tomohiro Fukuda made a presentation entitled"3D CG / VR for Environmental Design". First of all, he explained the targets of environmental design, difference between 3D CG and VR, and so forth. He then introduced his efforts for the past one year including a LRT project planned in Sakai City, Next Gene project in Taiwan, and a joint project with senior high school students. In relation with these projects, he expounded the use and thoughtful devising of"UC-win/Road" and 3D CG, traffic simulation and human activities, and easy modeling. Based on them, he listed up challenges in the future including how to reinforce the attractiveness and appeal of VR, how to broaden the opportunities of applying it in the architectural field, and support for ubiquitous computing for examining on-site.
Prof. Tomohiro Fukuda, Osaka University (Japan)

It should be mentioned that among the World 8 members, Prof. Carlos Calderon was absent from the presentation at this symposium for urgent business. We express our hearty thanks again to the World 8 members for understanding its intention and responding to it for one year though being very busy.

Special Lecture 3:"Analysis of Tsunami and Disaster Control"
Professor Fumihiko Imamura (Tohoku University, Japan)

The last lecturer of this symposium, Prof. Fumihiko Imamura, DCRC, Tohoku University made a presentation entitled"Analysis on Tsunami and Research for Disaster Control". He is conducting a wide range of research concerning tsunami engineering and natural disaster science in the Disaster Control Research Center, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku Univ. From this point of view, he described the actual situations of disasters caused by tsunamis and numerical simulation technology for mitigating Tsunami damage such as evacuation warnings.

First, for basic understanding of Tsunami, he explained the mechanism that a tsunami is generated by an earthquake, propagating over the ocean, going upstream on the coastal zone and bringing about human and material damage on land. Then, he mentioned the past tsunami cases in Japan as well as the fact that frequency of tsunamis is relatively higher in Japan compared with the rest of the world, looking back the situations in which he had been developing the numerical simulation of the mechanism such as generation, propagation, and run-up concerning the past tsunamis.

He focused on 2004 Sumatra Earthquake and Tsunami. Considering that a similar tsunami to this one, though it was on a historically large scale, could also be generated in Japan in the future, he analyzed its mechanism on the basis of its detailed data and created CG in cooperation with NHK. Various scenes were represented, including a sea level rise caused by the occurrence of an earthquake moving towards the land, positive wave that attacks the coastal area after negative wave, and the tsunami inundating throughout the town.

Since it requires a model of very high order and longer time to perform simulation on a real-time basis, simulation closer to the reality was made possible in real time by inputting the point of occurrence, scale, and mechanism of an earthquake through their own unique calculation method.
Prof. Fumihiko Imamura Presentation"Analysis of Tsunami and Disaster Control"
Analysis on Tsunami and Research for disaster control

Prof. Fumihiko Imamura (Tohoku University, Japan)
Belonging to the Disaster Control Research Center, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku Univ., he conducts research on the topics including disaster science, numerical calculation of fluid waves (tsunami etc.), international tsunami prevention technology development and transfer, historical earthquakes / tsunami evidence investigation (in and out of Japan), geographical features and form (fractal geometry etc.), snow drainage gutters (dual-phase fluid), evacuation simulation (under development for Okushiri, Hokkaido), cognitive psychology (memory and human behavior), and so forth.


After this, discussion with World 8 members was held with Prof. Yoshihiro Kobayashi as a chairperson. Lastly, Academy encouragement awards were presented to Prof. Kostas Terzidis and Prof. Tomohiro Fukuda for their research products as"World 8". It should be noted that simultaneous interpretation was provided for Japanese and English for every presentation in consideration for the audience from overseas.

After all the presentations were over, Networking Party was held both as a reception and as a publication party for"VR Presentation and A New Approach to Town Planning", with many participants present. We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude again for providing such a fruitful opportunity.




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The 7th 3D VR Contest Report
(Up & Coming January, 2009))
FORUM8 have held the 7th "3D VR simulation contest by UC-win/Road" last November.
We founded this contest to provide a forum for improving VR utilization, taking the opportunity of winning of 2002 software products of the year of UC-win/Road.

We relied on professionals to join as a member of a selection committee in a nomination and a final selection as well as last year. We are sure that inviting experts, who are involved in landscape design, town creation or design techniques will improve VR techniques. CG-ARTS Association (Computer Graphic Arts Society), Monthly "CAD &CG MAGAZINE "X-Knowledge Co.Ltd, Monthly "Bridge & Urban PROJECT" (Bridge Editorial committee), "KENTSU newspaper" (KENTSU SHINBUNSHA) sponsored and wrote an article on this event.

The nomination was carried out by the three member of a selection committee on November 7th at Tokyo head office and its result was announced on the day before a final selection.
Twelve works were nominated as a result of a fair judgment.

Scene of VR contest / nomination, twelve works: six works from Japan and six works from oversea, won the nomination award.

The presentation of the nominated twelve works was held at Shinagawa large hall A, Tokyo conference center, where the final selection was held. The larege hall A, which has a seating capacity of 200 was filled of researchers who take part in the symposium and people who involved in the submitted works.
Mr. Fumio Seki commented on the result of a judging on behalf of judges.
He said in his comment that this contest was characterized by the difference between domestic works and oversea works.

Though most of oversea works were subjected to large scale projects, domestic works were made with free use of VR functions ; evacuation simulation for older people, driving simulation, education tool and technical advertising. And also,VR have been used to explain for the individual client in most of the cases so far, but VR seems to be used for the explanation for business companies, students and an unspecified large number of citizens in this works. He concluded by saying that VR started having a social meaning and the use of new VR was introduced.

We plan to attract twice as much customers as the 7th 3D VR contest and hold the 8th 3D VR contest held on November 20, 2009 on a large scale this year when the VR-Studio will be released.

Hall : Tokyo conference center Shinagawa
A trophy of Grand prix and a supplementary prize

Prize Winners

Movie of the prize winners can be seen on the site of UC-win/Road (vr.forum8.jp) or the video gallery.

GRAND PRIX  GRAND PRIX
"Simulated driving diagnosis system using CG simulation"
National Agency for Automotive Safety & Victims' Aid
The most distinguishing feature of driving competence diagnosis system "NASVA NET" is that it's a "simulated driving diagnosis system using CG simulation", which uses VR simulation carried out over the internet. This covers separate diagnoses of grades for safe eco-driving, defensive safe driving, hasty driving and considerate driving. The movement of cars driving on this simulator is recorded and analyzed to give advice about safe driving.
EXCELLENCE AWARD  EXCELLENCE AWARD
"Sakai City Oshoji LRT Project VR data"
Osaka University, Graduate School of Engineering, Division of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering
This VR was created in order to consider and build consensus for a planned LRT improvement project in Sakai City. The proposed subject area for the installation includes an area of about 1.6km from Sakai station on the Nankai Electric Railway Main Line to Sakai-higashi station on the Koya Line. Besides the present situation, it can depict plans for the layout approaching the LRT tracks, transit mall plans, roadside landscape plans, etc. and the future of central Sakai city can be considered from the perspective of traffic and landscape.
IDEA AWARD  IDEA AWARD
"Erection of construction girders for underground passageway construction in train stations."
Noda Engineering Co., Ltd.
We erect temporary construction girders for the construction of elevators and underground passageways just under a railway at a barrier-free train station. The installation work will be performed in a narrow space between platforms and crane operation is impossible, therefore a new erection method is being investigated and the details are being drawn up in VR.
ESSENCE AWARD  ESSENCE AWARD
"VR utilization case in educational curriculum"
Daido Institute of Technology, Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Design
In this research, the creation of a street landscape pattern and the proposal of street landscape evaluation method based on a marketing approach are being performed by VR. As VR that's been used for consistent training in urban development since 2007, practical training with UC-win/Road has been adopted with the aim of training technicians that can design and do design proposals from various perspectives.
OVERSEAS AWARD  OVERSEAS AWARD
"AFRICA_SUDAN Project"
CION Media Company (Turkey)
CION Media Company has created the 3D City Model of a new town for the people in hunger and poverty in Darfur, SUDAN, AFRICA. The project idea belongs to KIMSE YOK MU? Solidarity and Aid Association who helps to poor people by donations coming from charitable people. The project area is a desert now, and people live in tents in the area. The new town will include 800 single storey houses, a mosque, municipality building, school, health center, public education center and etc. city functions.
HONORABLE JUDGE'S AWARD  HONORABLE JUDGE'S AWARD
 Mr. Hiroo Kasagi (NPO Chiiki Zukuri Kobou)
"Sancheong-Sudong VR Simulation"
Busan Regional Construction & Management Office (Korea)
Busan Regional Construction & Management Office (Korea)
There were clashes of opinion between villagers over the National Highway No. 3 plan being constructed from Sinyeon-ri Saengcho-myeon Sancheong-gun Gyeongsangnam-do to Hwasan-ri Sudong-myeon Hamyang-gun Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea and the most suitable route had to be selected by comparing a route that passes in front of village to one that detours around the back of it. The most suitable plan for local residents (the route passing behind the village) was chosen through an explanatory meeting.
HONORABLE JUDGE'S AWARD  HONORABLE JUDGE'S AWARD
 Mr. Fumio Seki (Taisei Engineering Co., Ltd.)
"Simulation of an evacuation in an aging society using 3D VR"
Taisei Engineering Co., Ltd.
Given the circumstances of our aging society, there are a lot of public facilities that were built during years of rapid economic growth. Evacuation analysis using 3D VR is an analysis where by using characteristics inherent to the inclusion of elderly people, it is possible to suggest low-cost safety measures using the existing facilities' structure. This case supposes there's a fire in a tunnel and introduces the linkage of 3D VR to an evacuation analysis of an evacuation situation with elderly and healthy people.
HONORABLE JUDGE'S AWARD  HONORABLE JUDGE'S AWARD
 Mr. Sinsuke Kitagawa (Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd.)
"Digital Phoenix Project by UC-win/Road III"
Arizona State University (USA)
The Digital Phoenix Project started 2 years ago, with a total cost of one hundred million yen. This is an academic research VR model used to 1) generate traffic from highways to the city centre and visualize the traffic conditions at main road intersections. 2) collect data about the drive, the time it takes and CO2 emissions from the driving simulator. 3) develop traffic routes and test tools for emergency situations such as terror.

Design Festival
FORUM8 Design Festival
DATE : 18-20 November, 2009
PLACE : Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa (plan)

The 8th 3D VR Contest will be scheduled on 20 November, 2009.



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ITS New York
(Up & Coming January, 2009)
FORUM8 have exhibited on ITS world conference in New York 2008 from 16 to 20, December, 2008.
This conference on the theme of "ITS Connections: Saving Time. Saving Lives" have been held at the same year of annual conference of ITS America and a lot of experts or leaders in the industrial world have gathered together from all over the world. ITS is the cutting edge information communication technology, which can solve any traffic problems about traffic accidents, traffic jam, environmental problems for safety transportation. During the event, many research results about ITS have been presented and more relevant products have been exhibited. Vehicle Infrastructure Integration(VII) , which lead the next ITS expansion has been demonstrated.

While various VR simulations have been exhibited, UC-win/Road Drive Simulator which have attracted interest from U.S. Department of Transportation, educational institutions as well as VR relational companies.
The UC-win/Road Drive Simulator, which can express 3 dimensional space in real-time and introduce mobility society as image, is expected to support safety driving on ITS, traffic, optimization of road management in broad area.
Allow us to draw your attention to the expansion of UC-win/Road Drive Simulator
FORUM8 booth Hall




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SIGGRAPH ASIA (Singapore)
(Up & Coming January, 2009)
The Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics (SIGGRAPH) is the world's largest CG international conference and exhibition held in U.S.A every summer. FORUM8 joined in 2007. AS the SIGGRAPH has grown up its scale, SIGGRAPH ASIA has started this year, which supposed to be held in each Asia-Pacific country every winter. For the first time around, SIGGRAPH ASIA has been held in Shingapole from 11 to 13 December, where FORUM8 have exhibited. (International conference has been held from 10 to 13 December.) It was held on the 1st to 4th floor of the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, and the exhibition was held on the 4th floor.
Next 2009 the event will be held in Yokohama, which will have the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Port of Yokohama.

We have prepared the 50 inch plasma TV displaying each model of UC-win/Road and the PC equipped with a steering wheel by Logicool for users' experience. Because we had advantage to exhibit near a hall entrance, we could attract a lot of attention. At the "Tech Talks" session, Associate Prof. Kobayashi of Arizona State University gave a lecture under the theme of "Unveiling the Secret behind 3D Real-Time Virtual Reality", and he introduced a basic function of the UC-win/Road and his research by using the UC-win/Road. We will keep exhibiting at home and abroad. As we're aware that you all have busy schedules, we hope this notice will enable you to attend.

Tech Talks(Associate Prof. Kobayashi of Arizona State University)

FORUM8 booth

Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre




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Car testing Japan
(Up & Coming January, 2009)
FORUM8 joined the Car Testing Japan 2008 Winter, held on 9-11 December, 2008 at TFT hall, which is the only event in Japan to focus on automotive testing, measurement, control and simulation. FORUM8 had a booth for displaying our products and had a presentation at a sponsor session.

In the cooperation Subaru Customize KoboCorporation and Virtual Mechanics Corporation, we have displayed the Subaru Driving Simulator installed CarSim's car dynamics and equipped with 6 axis motion unit and for participants' experience. This simulator allows you install various safety devices as you like, so we have received many inquiries at hall.

At the sponsor session, we have gave a lecture about case examples in automobile industry, introducing its efficiency road creating functions
.
FORUM8 make a suggestion about simulator for research, the link with real-time hardware devices as well UC-win/Road Experience Simulator. Allow us to draw your attention to the expansion of UC-win/Road Drive Simulator in automobile industry.


FEATURES of UC-win/Road Experience Simulator
  1. Apply VR space freely. Various driving environments in real-time
  2. Implementation of various safety devices and customization of the simulator
  3. Free standard VR data. Customization of scenario, events and higher Hz.
  4. Compact body design
  5. Realistic Maneuvering feel
  6. Easy setup and mobility
  7. Standard equipment of each safety device




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