QinetiQ - Immersive Technology

Immersive technology is an emerging technology that integrates digital content with virtual or physical environments in a way that allows the user to engage naturally with an alternative reality. In the defence space, it has most often been used to expose people through novel experiences to prepare and train for operational environments, using head-mounted devices.

Globally, there is a vast market for immersive technology outside of defence. This market has boomed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has created opportunity to use immersive technology in all sectors; from doctors practising surgery and using augmented reality for remote care, to workplaces introducing ‘collaborative space’.

What QinetiQ is doing

Since the introduction of immersive technology into the defence industry, there has often been a sole focus on training and mission rehearsal, but at QinetiQ we are looking at using immersive technology in a more innovative way:

• In hybrid working environments, QinetiQ helps organisations to develop agile proof of concept projects, enabling rapid innovation in immersive technologies.

• Furthermore, QinetiQ facilitates the co-creation of complex immersive environments for next-generation capabilities.

QinetiQ is made up of immersive engineers, human behaviour scientists and ex-military, creating an organisation that understands the technology, how it can provide benefit and how the end-user will respond. It enables us to bring concepts to reality very quickly, drawing on real-world experience.

Future Concepting

QinetiQ and AM General develop new hybrid electric HUMVEE concept

QinetiQ has entered into a strategic collaboration agreement with automotive manufacturer AM General to accelerate the development of electrification technologies for military vehicles.

QinetiQ and AMG HUMVEE

Astrex Technology Demonstrator and VR Application

Astrex Technology Demonstrator & VR App

The Astrex Technology Demonstrator is a wheeled demonstrator showcasing transformational tactical mobility. The QinetiQ Immersive Technology team have built a Virtual Reality application to provide a visualisation of the future platform.

Astrex Technology Demonstrator VR App

Training

Serapis Simulation & Synthetic Environments

Delivered by QinetiQ Training and Simulation (formerly NSC), Serapis SSE is at the forefront of the UK’s research of next-generation Simulation and Synthetic Environments and their associated tools and systems.

SERAPIS Simulation and Synthetic Environments

Experiential learning through immersion

Conventional training in high risk environments has been delivered using highly sophisticated simulation but, the downside being the high costs involved.

Experiential learning through immersion

Soldier using VR headset and controllers

Reality check – soldiers help sharpen vision for VR

Who better to help us drive forward the British Army’s understanding of Virtual Reality (VR) capabilities and its potential to support future military training than those responsible for keeping the UK’s Armed Forces on the move?

Soldiers help sharpen vision for VR

Extended Reality (XR)

On the spectrum of reality - with the physical world at one end and digital reality at the other - immersive technology consists of Augmented, Mixed and Virtual reality (collectively known as Extended Reality, or XR)

At the far end of the spectrum, digital reality consists of a perfectly immersive experience, where all five of the senses are manipulated. This technology doesn't currently exist, but has been coined the 'Metaverse'.

Learn more about immersive technology from our TechWatch articles :

TechWatch Live: Immersive technology

TechWatch live immersive technology

TechWatch image showing conceptual Mixed Reality (MR) scenario with three people wearing AR headsets

Remote working through mixed reality

The pandemic has had a huge impact on technology development, in both positive and negative ways. One area to benefit is remote working.

TW7 Mixed Reality