THE PROBLEM OF SMOG

Viessmann is one of the leading manufacturers of heating systems, intended for both industrial and home purposes. It focuses on the efficient use of energy, costs reduction and low-emission supply of energy. The company also emphasizes its involvement in ecological issues by approaching environmental concerns as its priority – teaching its clients through VR house safety app how to keep their families warm and safe.

Client

Viessmann

Sector

Heating

Refrigeration systems

Services

VR app

3D modeling

Technology

Samsung Gear VR

Unity 3D

Visual results video

Challenge

Safety first

The client asked us to develop a VR house safety app that would let users navigate through a modeled 3D environment. Inside the app, they would undertake various actions aimed at familiarizing themselves with the basic safety rules of using domestic heating devices.

Process and project scope

Scope

We have designed and implemented a software application that enables the user to move freely through a modeled environment of a house, look around and take appropriate action in case of an emergency. The environment does not contain photorealistic graphics, but it is pleasing to the eye and does not distract the user from the essential elements.

In addition, the app is both educational and fun, especially for younger audiences. The main purpose of the VR house safety app is to encourage users to actively participate in education for safety.

Process

The client needed to build a software application that would be able to draw the users’ attention to the problem of harmful chemicals present in our houses, which can greatly affect our mood and, in extreme cases, even put our lives in jeopardy.

We were commissioned to programme the VR house safety app that would, in a possibly clear way, indicate the important devices in our apartments that can have a negative impact on our life unless they are properly used. Furthermore, we created a visualization of dangerous symptoms we can observe during the improper operation of domestic devices, which we should never ignore.

Collaboration

The client wanted the application to sport cartoon-style graphics. The idea was to teach good safety practice through entertainment. That is why realistic life-like graphics were not necessary.

We consulted the design of the 3D environment and the potential dangers that would appear in the environment with our client. Once we obtained that information, we were ready to start development in the spirit of Scrum.

Business value

Positive corporate image combined with the ultimate social usefulness

The application we created allowed our clients to build a positive image of their organization while drawing people’s attention to problems that we often do not fully realize. It teaches us a proper response to threats through a fun and engaging experience.

In addition to the unquestionable advantage of ensuring the safety of users of domestic heating devices, an additional asset of the application is that it increases public awareness of the causes of smog formation. The application draws users’ attention to the fact that improper use of domestic heating devices is one of the most important reasons for the current situation in which air quality standards are not being met, especially in winter.

In this way, not only does the app provide invaluable knowledge and promote good practice, but it also increases social and environmental awareness among people. And this is something no money can buy.

The main areas in which the app excels include:

Getting to know the potential dangers of heating devices installed in our homes.
Taking appropriate actions in emergency situations.
Navigating through an interactive space, with clearly named and illustrated hazardous situations and suspicious symptoms, together with the possible solutions to them.

Technology stack

An immersive VR experience and a real eye-opener combined

The application itself was developed using Unity 3D, whereas the graphics and visuals were created in 3ds Max. The app works on Samsung Gear VR devices.

Unity - the main tool used by 4Experience