ÆMOTION
Supported by ADEME, Aemotion designs and produces a compact electric vehicle that redefines micromobility.
This new-generation vehicle features a modern design, innovative features between bike and car, and a stimulating driving experience.
Context
As part of a fundraising campaign and discussions with partners, Æmotion was looking for an easy way to confidentially present its vehicle’s unique kinematics, even though the prototype had not yet been released.
They decided on a virtual reality experience on VRED, lasting a few tens of seconds, controllable from the keyboard, all in real time 6 DOF (this means that you can move freely around the vehicle as in a game. This is not a video.)
They had the full CAD with materials and environment, the VR hardware, but their model was completely static.
The aim was to precisely recreate the vehicle's complex kinematics, while conveying the freedom and smoothness of movement (ever been skiing?).
The initial version of the journey on the left, then after several VR tests, the final version in the center.
The custom-built kinematic skeleton (RIG) features numerous automations for rapid iteration.
Work
During an online meeting using a collaborative drawing tool, we designed the initial route the vehicle would take.
After several VR tests, the final layout was found, consisting of several accelerations, fast and tight turns ("pif paf") and large circular arcs.
The 3D model was then cut and grouped into moving sub-sections, and associated with a complex kinematic skeleton that faithfully reproduced movements. Continuous visualizations were used to validate the vehicle's behavior.
Finally, performance tests and optimizations in the final software confirmed that the experience would be comfortable even for novices. The scene had to run at 60 frames per second, a complete vehicle, and for the record this was not a video but a real-time experiment at 6 DOF).
It's hard to capture a VR experience on your screen right now. It's as if you were there.
Benefits
Saves time when fundraising, making it possible to present the vehicle before the prototype is released
Creates a wow effect, as requested
Allows the viewer to understand the product's strongest point of differentiation: its pendulum movement
Maintains confidentiality, as the product is only visible in the helmet and cannot be photographed
Allows for vehicle visualization with shapes and materials as on the final product
"Our collaboration with Spatial Nick was excellent given this delicate project involving complex chassis animation to reproduce. Efficient work, well-structured collaboration and quality rendering on time.
We recommend Spatial Nick."
Alexandre Lagrange - CEO