The cooperation between Na Niby Studio (“Not real Studio”) from Kraków and the Department of Games Technology of the Jagiellonian University is a great example of how business and universities can jointly introduce innovative solutions and competitive products.
Cooperation of companies with universities has been dynamically developing in Poland for several yearscommercialization of research, and involvement of higher schools in cluster initiatives, which support the socio-economic competitiveness of the region are becoming more and more popular. Equally important are subsidies and co-financing of R&D cooperation. The latter includes, among others, innovation vouchers that are co-financed by the European Union under the Regional Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 period for Małopolska. Such vouchers, aimed at entities operating in the fields of R&D and pro-innovation services, were granted to three companies from Małopolska. One of them is Na Niby Studio, a company from Kraków that designs in virtual reality.
Genuine cooperation with university
The cooperation of Na Niby Studio and the Department of Games Technology of the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science at the Jagiellonian University could not be possible withoutthe funding obtained for an innovative solution. The subsidy amounted to PLN 19,000 and was assigned to the project worth PLN 20, 000. This enabled the team of researchers to test solutions based on the Unreal Engine 4, originally used by computer game developers to design and create interactive experiences, also in VR. Cooperation with the Jagiellonian University allowed Na Niby Studio to create a VR application that can modify the area in which the user is located.
Thanks to this collaboration, the company – as one of the first in the world – applies technologies and solutions previously used in computer games to design in VR. Designed for Oculus Rift, the application allows modelling in VR by substituting images and materials, thus making it possible for the user to create spaces tailored to their needs and expectations. This solution will be of special use in the real estate industry, allowing customers to personalize the offer in VR, e.g. when designing.
VR and architecture
Creating interactive 3D visualizations and models in VR, virtual walks or 3D animation allows companies to redefine the approach to product presentation. Beneficiaries of such implementations are, among others, entities operating in the real estate industry and architecture offices. They consider VR not only a technical novelty, but, above all, a completely new way to reach new customers. Na Niby’s offer includes, among others, interior and equipment design in VR, which allows the clients of real estate offices to take virtual walks, even when the object is still in the design phase or without the need to leave the house.
An example of such implementation is the VR walk created by the studio from Kraków for a Wrocław developer responsible for the Zielony Wojnów investment. As part of the project, people interested in buying a flat could view it together with its neighbourhood, using a computer, tablet or VR glasses. For this purposes, Na Niby Studio offers virtual photography of products, interiors and architecture, visualizations of products, styling and 3D animation. The solutions offered by this innovative company can be checked on the Oculus Rift device.
The power of innovation
Cooperation between business and science is a source of innovation that increases competiveness of companies and supports the economy. Due to the high costs of such projects, many small and medium-sized companies could not afford such cooperation.
Thanks to programs such as innovation vouchers and other R&D subsidies, smaller companies or start-ups, together with academic institutions, can develop new, competitive products based on the state-of-the-art technologies. A perfect example of such cooperation is the cooperation between Na Niby Studio the Department of Games Technology of the Jagiellonian University.
