Virtual Reality : the Hidden Face of Sports

Dassault Systèmes is dedicated to supporting innovation in the sports industry: its virtual 3D technologies can be used to optimize performance of athletic equipment ranging from running shoes to technologically advanced speedboats. 

Innovation is everywhere

Sports equipment used by the general public on a daily basis already rely on advanced 3D technologies:

• Shooting hoops
  A leading manufacturer of home and professional basketball systems, Huffy Sports Company uses models made possible by Dassault Systèmes’ 3D mechanical design solution to design attractive units, produce tooling and deliver products to market in record time.
   
• Gliding down the slopes
  Burton is a company dedicated to delivering advanced snowboarding equipment.  Bindings are a strategic component for riders, as they can dramatically increase comfort and performance.  Using Dassault Systèmes’ 3D mechanical design solution, Burton was able to create its revolutionary CO2 snowboard binding with an anatomically canted design, allowing for seamless energy transfer and maximum comfort. 
   
• Rollerblading away
  A ski boot designer since 1939, Nordica today also produces skis and rollerblades.  As early as 1988, Nordica implemented Dassault Systèmes’ solutions to evolve product design from an artisan to a virtual process. By designing all products using 3D models, Nordica has opened up its design process to a wider range of activities, a valuable contribution to the development of highly innovative products. Dassault Systèmes’ solutions also allow Nordica’s R&D teams to experiment with new materials such as magnesium and integrate them with more traditional components such as plastic and metal.  

Going to the extreme

Extreme sports are often risky and require a high level of security. Dassault Systèmes’ 3D technologies allow industry manufacturers to design and test advanced equipment.

• Mountain-climbing
  DMM Engineering is committed to designing and manufacturing high-quality products for the growing rock climbing, mountaineering and industrial safety markets.  Thanks to Dassault Systèmes’ 3D mechanical design solution, DMM has been able to accelerate the introduction of its innovative hoop-stem camming units, which provide frictional anchors for fall arrest/protection during rock climbing.
   
• Diving
  Based in Hong Kong, Daka Development Ltd. is an award-winning design and development company.  The intuitive user interface of Dassault Systèmes’ 3D mechanical design solution helps Daka Development create innovative sports equipment including the world’s lightest and smallest folding bike and the Sea-Doo Seascooter Explorer, an underwater scooter engineered to withstand the toughest environments. It features variable tri-stage speed control and improved safety features and can go as deep as 160 feet underwater, making it ideal for recreational and professional divers.
   

Making the impossible possible

Thanks to Dassault Systèmes’ virtual technologies, the seemingly impossible can be made real for sports adventurers and disabled persons alike.

• Breaking down the handicap barrier
  Taga Pro is an Israeli product design and development firm specializing in medical devices, consumer products and professional equipment.  With the help of Dassault Systèmes’ 3D mechanical design solution, Taga’s industrial designers and mechanical engineers create award-winning products such as Rewalk.  This life-changing exoskeleton allows disabled persons to regain independent mobility and should help increase their access to the athletic world.
   
• Flying without fuel
  In a world dependent on fossil energies, the Solar Impulse project led by Bertrand Piccard is a paradox: its goal is to allow an airplane to take off and fly around the world autonomously, propelled uniquely by solar energy, without fuel or pollution. Numerous engineers are using Dassault Systèmes’ virtual design solution to develop this project and go beyond current technology frontiers.
   
  

Improving the sports experience

Dassault Systèmes’ 3D technologies are not just meant to improve athletes’ everyday life; they also help improve the spectator experience.  

• The real world: Beijing Olympic Stadium case study
  An official partner in the Beijing Olympic stadium design consortium, UK-based design consultant ArupSport used Dassault Systèmes’ virtual design solution to create the stadium’s intricate bird’s nest form. ArupSport selected the Dassault Systèmes solution for its ability to transfer complex geometry into accurate construction models.   
   
• In the virtual world
  Thanks to Dassault Systèmes’ Virtools technology, the world of sports is becoming increasingly accessible to spectators. For example, a soccer stadium in France allows spectators to take a virtual tour of the stadium in real-time 3D using Virtools technology. This online experience provides fans with a realistic perspective of the spectator experience depending on seating area. Fans then select seat preferences and can purchase tickets online.
  
  Virtools gaming technology also provides fans with interaction between the physical and virtual worlds.  New media agency [rmh]2 uses Virtools to create interactive Virtual Reality experiences for sports fans such as an interactive soccer videogame that projects onto the floor.  An infrared camera situated on the ceiling detects real-life players’ positions and movements and communicates with the application so the projected virtual balls move accordingly.  

These are only some of the exciting sports innovations made possible today thanks to Dassault Systèmes. As materials, scientific developments and 3D software solutions continue to evolve, soon the only limits to innovation with be the human imagination!