The Planar: an interdisciplinary approach to a VR enabled tool for generation and manipulation of 3D data in industrial environments

We introduce the early prototype of the Planar, a novel input/output device designed for application in task areas focusing on the generation and manipulation of 3D data, e.g. CAD or styling. Technically, the Planar offers a spatially aware pen-sensitive display, mounted on an adjustable, scooter-like autonomous platform. The movable screen, with 6 degrees of freedom, can act like a window into 3D virtual environments and allows for efficient 2D and 3D interaction at the same time. Through our research, we have developed an interdisciplinary approach that aims to overcome a variety of drawbacks within many VR installations while extending the concepts of existing conventional systems. Our primary areas of focus include: working environments, forms of interaction, ergonomics, and process integration. In order to demonstrate the potential of the Planar we show a small review and a sketching/annotation application. The overall goal of this work is to contribute to the development of real VR applications.