V+R Challenge a Passion for Innovation Project

Passion for Innovation, a Human Story

Dassault Systèmes is the worldwide leader in real-time 3D and virtual reality solutions. For years, the company has played a major role in this particular sector through its numerous programs whether for industrial or scientific use. Aside from computer-assisted-design (CAD) and simulation applications, 3D is an ideal communications media, understandable to anyone, no matter your language or culture. Like 3D, sports is also a universal media. 

In line with public demand for access to 3D software, Dassault Systèmes launched its Passion for Innovation program in 2005.   The program is based on a simple guiding principle:  it is often the case that outstanding ideas do not come to fruition due to lack of appropriate resources.  At Dassault Systèmes, not only are employees given free access to CATIA, the industry-standard 3D software design solution for product conception, but the general public is also afforded access to the company’s resources through the company’s Passion for Innovation program.  The program’s mission is to help individuals and not-for-profit organizations bring their innovative ideas to life using Dassault Systèmes’ 3D software solutions.

Passion for Innovation took on a new dimension with the “Kheops Revealed” project, which leveraged 3D as a powerful communications tool to open new frontiers in science and communications.  In 2007, the “Kheops Revealed” 3D film allowed spectators to solve one of mankind’s greatest mysteries by virtually traveling back to ancient Egypt to rebuild the Great Pyramid with architect Jean-Pierre Houdin.  This real-time 3D experience was such a success that the Géode, Paris’ giant OMNIMAX movie theatre, decided to make the show part of its regular program.  Now every week, hundreds of families experience the pyramid’s construction and discover its secrets.

Today the Passion for Innovation program is based on three main axes:

• Donation of Dassault Systèmes’ full range of solutions, including 3D scientific solutions (PLM) and interactive 3D media solutions (3DVIA).
   
• Donation of services:  software training and expert support.
   
• Innovation laboratory: often non-conformist and always innovative, the concepts developed by program participants help fuel the development of solutions by Dassault Systèmes and their applications in areas including education, entertainment, communications, and marketing.  These synergies ultimately contribute to defining the future of real-time 3D applications 

Current participants include Philippe Fuchs, the Marseille Motion Science Institute and Sports Without Borders.