The mission of ESA BIC Bavaria incubatee VISCOPIC is to guide manufacturing industry companies throughout the complete implementation process of Augmented Reality (AR) and 3D software solutions. VISCOPIC develops transformative and innovative Mixed Reality solutions by using cutting-edge technologies and enables customers to create 3D/Mixed Reality content without the need for extensive knowledge of programming.
ESA BIC Bavaria Manager Cornelia Gebath (CG) interviews Marco Maier (MM), Managing Director at VISCOPIC.
CG: Please give us a sneak peek of your product and the team behind it.
MM: We are creating a platform for holistic AR and 3D solutions, to facilitate and standardise production and training processes in the most efficient and convenient way possible. Three applications of this platform have already been launched in 2018:
First is VISCOPIC Pins: this Windows application allows customers to create AR workflows for devices like the Microsoft HoloLens without having any programming skills. It enables the user to generate virtual action and working steps that can be pinpointed onto real objects and infrastructures. Customers are using VISCOPIC Pins in various areas such as production, quality assurance, maintenance, installation or training.
Second is VISCOPIC Steps: it offers the possibility to create interactive 3D training content or 3D animations from existing 3D data (e.g. CAD data) that can be applied to the same, above-mentioned, areas. The easy to understand Windows application ensures that processes of mechanical activities can be learned location- and time-independently without real machines or facilities.
Last but not least is VISCOPIC Polygons: it enables the conversion of 3D models from CAD to mesh, the reduction of polygon count and the streaming of large 3D models as holographic content from PC to Microsoft HoloLens in real-time via a Wifi connection, without worrying about headset related limited processing power.
We are a team of 18 dedicated young professionals in the field of software development and business management. Our mission is to enable companies from the manufacturing industry to create efficient and scalable 3D- and AR solutions themselves that are fast, easy, simple!
CG: What has been your company’s biggest challenge so far?
MM: The biggest challenge during the development was to design a system that allows the user to create AR workflows as quickly and simply as possible, without having to understand the underlying technological complexity. With VISCOPIC Pins we managed to provide beginners as well as experts with a tool that is suitable for both AR prototyping and scalable content creation.
CG: Can you explain the three main ingredients of your recipe for success?
MM: The main ingredients of success are a good, inspiring and dynamic team spirit as well as a close relationship with our customers built on trust and mutual support. Furthermore, continuous game-changing innovations through an out-of-the-box approach are extremely important.
CG: What do you expect from ESA BIC Bavaria and how do you think the initiative and its network help you to kick-start your business case?
MM: We are expecting a great network of startups and companies that we can learn from, exchange and cooperate with. AR is a technology that applies in space, too. Our software and technology benefit from findings in this area and can potentially be pushed and implemented in the space market. Additionally, we are gaining access to this through ESA BIC, which gives us a competitive advantage and the possibility to expand more easily into other markets (e.g. space).
CG: How do you think to benefit from the support of Airbus?
MM: The close cooperation with Top Managers from Airbus, e.g during the 24-hour challenge, supports us with out-of-the-box insights and strategies for our business and helps us identify new approaches to management and innovation. Furthermore, with our office at Ludwig Bölkow Campus, we are able to establish a close relationship with various Airbus departments, with which we are currently partnering for upcoming projects.
CG: Let’s reach for the stars – what is going to happen in VISCOPIC’s future?
MM: VISCOPIC will be THE expert for user-friendly, easy to implement, scalable AR- and 3D solutions. Therefore, we are creating a one-of-a-kind platform with a variety of Windows applications that give the user the ability to tackle all kinds of challenges in the field of training and production with AR and 3D. We will enable customers to create content – no need for programming skills, no additional personnel costs for developers, less costs for training, maintenance and troubleshooting.
Did you enjoy this interview with the outstanding innovator? Anyone interested can contact VISCOPIC via e-mail. Stay tuned for upcoming interviews with ESA BIC Bavaria innovators on our AZO Blog.
