                                SWOOPVR
       Simulation With Object Oriented Programming and Virtual Reality

SWOOPVR is the combination of SWOOP (Simulation With Object Oriented
Programming) and VROOM (Virtual Reality using Object Oriented Methods), both
developed at the Deptartment of Automatic Control & Systems Engineering,
University of Sheffield to allow system simulation analysts to virtually
enter their simulated processes! Designed to run on a standard PC (386 or 
486) using a normal VGA card, desktop virtual reality can be created without
the need for any special hardware. Low cost hardware is being developed by 
the dept. AC&SE to allow the user to be fully immersed in the created 
environments. Initially intended for the simulation of industrial and 
manufacturing processes, advantages of using virtual reality include:

*   The system should be instantly recognisable to process managers and 
    operators, which will then facilitate examination of complex system
    dynamics

*   Spatial considerations can become more obvious (eg. conveyor placement,
    store size etc.)

*   Process layout can be easily manipulated and the corresponding dynamic
    effects of the change can be instantaneously simulated

*   Human factors considerations can be balanced off against efficient plant
    layout by the use of experimental simulation

*   The virtual environment can provide a common platform for architects,
    process engineers and control engineers to collaborate in factory
    design

*   Real-time data can be used to provide an intelligent intuitive monitoring
    and diagnostic system for complex processes

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                Further information can be obtained from:

                     Dr Neil Mort  or  Robin Hollands
             Dept. of Automatic Control & Systems Engineering
                         University of Sheffield        
                              PO Box 600  
                             Mappin Street
                               Sheffield
                                S1 4DU
                                 U.K.


                         Tel: (0742) 768555  ext. 5559
                              (0742) 825559
                         Fax: (0742) 731729

       E-mail: n.mort@sheffield.ac.uk  or  r.hollands@sheffield.ac.uk
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