July 2007
HRH THE DUKE OF YORK KG, KCVO VISITS GROUNDBREAKING SOUTH YORKSHIRE VIRTUAL REALITY CENTRE
HRH The Duke of York KG, KCVO took a trip into the breathtaking new digital world of virtual reality this morning (Wednesday, 10 October 2007) when he visited Doncaster-based Digital Knowledge Exchange (DKE) – home of the pioneering, not-for-profit LETS (Leading Edge Technology Solutions) project which is introducing interactive 3D imaging and super fast internet-based video streaming technology to South Yorkshire businesses.
During his visit, The Duke took part in a live, high-definition, instant video link with Turkey in which he spoke with Alan Akman, CEO of Digital Panorama which is owned by Fortune Top 100 businessman Ali Koç. He also spoke with Admiral Isik Paşa, ex-Admiral of the Fleet for NATO in the Mediterranean, who has agreed to be a keynote speaker at a special Digital Knowledge Exchange conference on Emergency Services Communications and Visualisation due to take place at Doncaster Robin Hood Airport in early December.
His Royal Highness discussed how advanced communications like those he’d seen demonstrated by the Digital Knowledge Exchange could be a major benefit to international business as they allowed instant face-to-face, eye-to-eye contact without the need to fly. The Duke then took part in a second instant video link with California-based Jeff Machtig, CEO of Digital Video Environment Enterprises which is a world leader in advanced teleconferencing systems.
His Royal Highness, accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant for South Yorkshire Mr David Moody and representatives from Yorkshire Forward and Objective 1, chose DKE’s £4million Interactive Visualisation and Research Centre in High Melton as his first port of call during a day long visit to the region.
During his visit to Digital Knowledge Exchange, The Duke was given the chance to try out the only example of new Touchlight computer screen technology in Europe. The technology, first imagined in the Tom Cruise science fiction film Minority Report, is now science fact in Doncaster- allowing users to interact with a computer screen through a simple wave of the hand without the aid of mouse, keyboard or special gloves.
DKE is road-testing the technology which has aroused strong interest in medical, educational, tourism and training applications. For example, surgeons will be able to “handle” X-rays on a screen without assistance or the need to scrub up again.
His Royal Highness also viewed highly realistic moving, interactive 3D simulations across a variety of business applications including prototype and concept design, training, marketing, architecture and product design.
Malcolm Kay, Executive Director of DKE, explained how advances in digital technology had consigned jerky, 1950s B-movie 3D to the history books. Smooth, ultra high-definition 3D holograms which “float” in free space could now be viewed in a variety of formats using new generation 3D plasma TV screens, websites, portable projectors and DKE’s special cinema-size display screen – all of which were helping South Yorkshire become a hotspot for these emerging business technologies.
The Duke said he had been impressed by the technology on show and was particularly interested in tourism applications – asking the DKE team how easy it would be to recreate virtual reality versions of Windsor Castle or the Tower of London which could then be used to promote Britain abroad.
"The Duke asked us for more details and you can be assured that we'll be following up on his invitation," said DKE Executive Director Malcolm Kay.
