Virtual Reality Applications Center (VRAC) Iowa State University

The Virtual Reality Applications Center (VRAC), formerly known as the Iowa Center for Emerging Manufacturing Technology, is an interdisciplinary research center at Iowa State University. Founded in 1990, VRAC has grown rapidly, drawing faculty and students from a variety of academic disciplines. VRAC's mission is to be a national leader in the application of virtual reality to the challenges of science and engineering. VRAC's engineers and scientists collaborate with industry and government colleagues on a wide variety of exciting and challenging problems. Research focuses on many topics including virtual prototyping, virtual manufacturing and assembly, data mining and human-in-the-loop real-time simulations. 

The Center's most immersive environment is the C2 virtual reality room, which surrounds the users with real-time 3D images on three walls and the floor. In early 2000, VRAC will celebrate the opening of the C6. This virtual environment will consist of a room where all sides, ceiling and floor will be stereo projection surfaces. Wireless tracking will provide total immersion in the virtual environment. The C6 will provide an endless field of view for research that requires evaluating virtual objects from above and below or for continuous 360 degrees of viewing. VRAC also has other virtual reality resources consisting of a variety of computer systems, head-mounted displays and interaction devices including trackers, instrumented wands and gloves, vehicle and aircraft bucks and a motion base for real-time simulation.

For more information, please contact the VRAC office at 515-294-3092 or visit their web page at http://www.vrac.iastate.edu/.