just to be clear, from what I have seen about this there is no new technology involved at all, and so nothing that cannot already be achieved today. I have not yet read anything that even sounds interesting....
For many years it has been possible to control a train set over the Internet. The University of Ulm has done this for years. All that is needed is a computer with an Internet connection plus an interface such as a 6050 or IB. Nothing new there.
For some years I have had untethered full color wi-fi control of my layout using a PDA. Any device small computing device such as a PDA or telephone with Internet connectivity can be used. So, this means it has already been possible for some years for someone in Beijing to control trains, turnouts and crane on my layout in the USA. All I have to do is open the appropriate port on my router. Would I want that to be happening, no, and that is why the TCPIP port is closed. Märklin claims that the new vision system will allow that. Well not on my layout thank you very much, I have seen how other run their trains!
Now lets think about the virtual reality goggles. Nothing earth shattering in principle. MS train simulator lets one define landscapes, train tracks, platform furniture, buildings, vegetation etc. in amazing detail. Check out the MST videos on youtube ! You can see exact reproductions of the Berlin S-Bahn! Now if we can already do all that, why bother with the model layout? Some model train guys have already given up actually going to the trouble of building a model train layout and just run simulators such as Trainz. Not my type of thrill, but the logical path if you want to be immersed in virtual reality.
Model train layout planners (3rd planet?) allow you to define layouts and view them in 3d from any angle. They even allow you to follow a virtual train around the layout.
Now lets think of how the Vision goggles would portray the layout that is being controlled. The track and landscape have to be defined somewhere. One could take a layout design such as 3rd planet and instead of projecting the 3d view onto a 2D computer monitor, you project it into some virtual reality goggles/helmet. This allows you to turn your head to alter the camera view angle. OK I can see how that could be fun. But is does not need a layout so what they heck are they claiming/hyping?
Let us now do a thought experiment. Assume that Märklin really is intending someone to control a train while they have some goggles over their eyes. The system would have to have accurate topology of the layout plus data on where the train is. This is doable using s88 sensors. State information has to be maintained. Something or someone also needs to be setting turnouts or there will be nasty collisions. Since I doubt that the system will be using inertial or wireless positioning systems, the layout has to have feedback built into it. So we can see that to do this one first needs a competent software system that has proper feedback and maintenance of state systems, plus a layout built with adequate feedback. The virtual vision stuff has to be added on top of all that. The player also needs some soft of input mechanism to select and control the trains if they are to be able to have any influence. Now if Märklin was able to do all that surely they would also be selling the big part that controls a layout nicely? Lots of people want that.
Note that I have also had for some years, the capability to show on the computer screen what the loco driver would be seeing at every s88 detection point.
http://layout.mixmox.com/1/train-cab-viewWhen I show this feature to people, I am often asked if the train has a video camera in it. So showing what an engine driver sees is nothing new either. Interpolating one image to the next would be the next logical step and easy to do given a 3D digital model of the layout. It is unlikely that most people would be able to, nor have the desire to, create a full 3D digital model of their model layout. I have contemplated it, but I am crazy. Many folk struggle just designing a layout in 2D.
Something is to be said for taking existing technology and packaging it up for the mass market. It would be nice to have a plug and play system that one can buy off the shelf, but you would also have to have an off-the shelf layout to match.
So call me a pessimist but I don't get it. I have not read anything exciting at all. What am I missing ?
