There is magic in the air... wireless real-time VR delivered via Wi-Fi or even 5G streamed across the internet!
Which is all made possible by the cutting edge NVIDIA CloudXR tech, along with NVIDIA DLSS-enabled Enscape for real-time rendering. This presents an exciting opportunity for AEC, and Lake|Flato in particular given our tech topology.
This is the topic of today's post, which includes a YouTube video.
NVIDIA CloudXR is a streaming SDK for delivering virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) across 5G and Wi-Fi networks.
AEC Value Proposition
The big value, as I see it, for Lake|Flato in particular, ties into our technology topology. Everyone in the firm has a lightweight Dell tablet that remotes into a high powered computer. This offers the best of both worlds for an architect, sketching on screen and high-powered Enscape, Revit, Rhino and more all in one place (i.e. on one screen(s)). But this setup does not facilitate full VR, as the tablets do not even have a discrete GPU. NVIDIA's CloudXR is nicely positioned to bridge this gap.
On a related note, check out this Dell blog post (~10 months ago) about Lake|Flato's technology landscape: Designing From the Home Office
Enscape Enscape'21 Presentation
I recently touched on NVIDIA CloudXR in a presentation at the Enscape global user group meeting, which can now be seen for free here: LAKE | FLATO ARCHITECTS: Maximize VR Potential
CloudXR - How it Works
Now, at a high level, let's take a look at how this thing works...
Although NVIDIA CloudXR works on multiple services, NVIDIA offers a streamlined example via a pre-configured Amazon AWS cloud-based instance: NVIDIA CloudXR AMI Introductory Offer - WinServer 2019.
Using this service costs about $2/hour... just be sure to turn it off when not using it and the costs are very reasonable.
Of course, latency is huge and must be well below 100 ms for acceptable results. As you can see here, using the AWS datacenter in Ohio is the best option for me, at 43 ms (I am 1200 miles [1930 Km] away, in Texas).
Here is a how things work, once everything is set up:
- Start Enscape and Steam VR on the cloud-based computer
- Start the CloudXR app within the wireless Quest 2
- Quest 2 is connect to internet via Wi-Fi or 5G
- Toggle on VR within Enscape
- Explore the model in the Quest 2 (in a giant play area)
Video Demonstration
YouTube video description:NVIDIA CloudXR is new next gen tech which allows AEC firms to cut the wire and geographic limitations on the deliver of high quality real-time rendered virtual reality. This video demonstrates this using Enscape on an Amazon AWS instance in Ohio and a wireless Oculus Quest 2 headset in San Antonio, Texas. Results for WIFI 6, 5G, and even 4G are shown.
The video is from within the VR headset, and also shows a view of the cloud-based AWS instance on the Dell tablet... alongside a 5G mobile hotspot (via a cellphone).
In the video you will notice some black bars on the sides when turning your head, especially if you do it very fast. However, the big difference here, compared to sketchy VR from a few years ago, is that the main image is still keeping up with your movement... old/original VR could fully get out of sync with your head and make you motion sick. I have not had that happen yet, and have loaded a couple larger LF projects.
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/VW4wuK_SAuU
Fun stuff!
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I also write blog posts for Enscape - a new paradigm in rendering, animation and VR for AEC.