The
Department of Defense is now allowing content creators everywhere the ability
to utilize open source framework (VWF) for developing collaborative
virtual world training environments using next generation web technologies.
This
technology will be debuted at the Serious Play Conference at USC in Los Angeles on Thursday, July 24. It will allow
content creators with even the most limited technical skills, the ability to
create real-time collaborative 3D environments for education or training.
Lockheed
Martin Mission Systems and Training Chief Innovation Officer and senior fellow
David Smith is scheduled to present an overview of the VWF and also demonstrate
examples of the broad applications of the free platform. Some of the examples
are the Martian Rover True Game, Cross Platform Collaboration application with
live video and audio, and the Sandbox application.
Office of
the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Readiness) Force Readiness and
training director Frank DiGiovanni says: "As major combat draws to a
close, the Department of Defense needs a mechanism to memorialize lessons
learned during our recent conflicts.”
"The
VWF provides soldiers, sailors, and airmen the tools to capture these lessons
for future generations to use.
"Additionally,
the skills required to create applications and training content can be
leveraged by military members transitioning to the civilian workforce."
The Case For Action According
To Wikipedia
“In FY05,
the United States Department of Defense (DoD) spent $9.1B in Modeling and
Simulation related activities. Approximately 40% of that budget was used for
simulators, war gaming, and modeling. The vision of the VWF is to reduce
the funding used to support M&S activities in direct support of pressure to
reduce spending and increase efficacy of existing / emerging technology.”
About David Smith
David Alan
Smith is a computer scientist and entrepreneur who has focused on interactive
3D and using 3D as a basis for new user environments and entertainment for over
thirty years.
His
specialty is system design and advanced user interfaces. He is a pioneer in 3D
graphics, games, robotics, telepresence, artificial intelligence and augmented
reality (AR). David wrote the first realtime 3D adventure game - The Colony and
was co-founder of Red Storm Entertainment, helping to create the Rainbow Six
franchise.