Animation Research to build air traffic simulators

Dunedin-based Animation Research is collaborating with Airways New Zealand in a multimillion-dollar development to build training simulators for air traffic controllers.

The company, best known for its pioneering virtual reality coverage of the America's Cup, hopes the move will open up export markets.

Animation Research has built a prototype of the 3D simulator, which includes 360deg views that controllers would see from Dunedin's Momona International Airport control tower.

Managing director Ian Taylor said that in about six weeks it would begin building its first "simulator cab" of a tower's work-station.

It will be installed at Airways' Christchurch training facility and be operational by April next year.

Air traffic simulators cost between US$500,000 to US$11 million ($762,200 to $16.7 million), but Taylor said the unit would be "priced very competitively".

"The key to design is making simulators with a low cost of ownership."

The project has been jointly funded by Animation Research and Airways, and Technology New Zealand has contributed nearly $537,000 through its technology for growth scheme.

Taylor said the simulator would eventually be marketed throughout the world.

Airways chief executive Ashley Smout said the company had looked worldwide for a new control tower simulator for a year before linking with Animation Research.

The Animation Research solution followed its 3D television visualisation work, which required a "high level of real time performance" from standard PCs but which delivered increasingly higher performance levels, especially in photo-realism, he said.

Taylor described how Animation Research adapted to the rapid changes in technology and the cost-benefit it bought to clients.

He said the first America's Cup coverage in 1999-2000 was from a $500,000 computer the size of a "small fridge" but by 2003 it was a done from a $3000 "shoe box" and had since moved to a laptop.

Airways is a state-owned enterprise with 650 staff and is the world's first fully commercial air traffic management company.

Taylor said there needed to be more collaboration between New Zealand companies to achieve export goals and Airways' international market presence would increase Animation Research's chances of success.

Airways' international division has provided more than 40 countries with air navigation services, has won several export awards and was voted the best navigation services provider in 2003 by the International Aviation Transport Association, which represents 280 airlines.

- NZPA