Thank you, Lutz.

"Mobil Vision" sounds interesting. Is it a piece of software connected with MMR or a completely independent product

First product for Mobile Vision® will be a video camera mounted in the front screen of a loco which is directly (i.e. wireless) linked to a 3D video headset of the "train driver". Future expansions are planned for up to potentially a worldwide network, where one could even drive the trains on a layout of a friend (sounds really exciting! [:p])

Spy Tec® is a product series which is offered in cooperation with Wild Planet Inc. (see also here: http://www.wildplanet.com/,
http://www.spygear.net/)

Looks cool indeed

I trust there will be an CS update so the video can be projected on the updated CS screen

Edited by moderator 05 January 2018 18:55:20(UTC)  | Reason: quote tags

Forget Uhlenbrocks new Intellibox II or and Viessmanns Commander, they have the least thing to do with Mobile Vision®. [}:)]

Thanks for the news, Lutz.

Just like this?

Ouch, Goofy! What a disappointment for you! [B)]

Jealous? -Heavens NO!
It´s a personal INSULT to the guy!!!

Edited by moderator 05 January 2018 18:51:09(UTC)  | Reason: fix quote tags

way cool tech!

I did some search on the forum archive...I am sure there was a post from one of our friend member with a videocamera 'doing' the track run...

Could not find it anymore ,but it was nice/cool...must be something like this new videostuff.

It looks like you have no clue about Mobile Vision®

There have been a few posts on this. One showed how the camera/transmitter was installed. About 12 months ago or maybe a bit more. Cannot find it also.
Nev

Hi all,
First impression,great!M started as a toy company,so going back to ones 'roots' so to speak, is a good thing.Second thought: it would be huge mistake not to intergrate this into model railroading.Spur 1,LGB,even HO,really not an issue.10 years ago another modular group had an F7,with a camera in it's nose(man that is a big headlight![^]) it was so great to 1/87 and "watch that train go down the track"
Z-scale?Anyone got a cell camera/video phone?Tiny,eh? The whole thing(electronics,transmitter,etc) as yet could not fit in a single lok,....but a whole train,....

Dr Dirt (a small mind is a waste of space)

Hello,

Great thing that Märklin developes new technologies, but...

What about a wireless Mobile Station, or even a wireless tactile Central Station? It would be very useful for moving around big layouts and outdoors 1 scale layouts, but since the appearance of the Mobile Station they've not even thought about the possibility of making it wireless to be really "Mobile" [:(!]

Kind regards.

AFAIK the Bachmann system is IR, the ESU system is wireless.

Hey, that is exactly what my kids love to do... So I don't need to take them to a psychiatrist for that?

A plastic BR81 (M* 3000) is fine too.

René

What fun!

The corresponding artice (no surprise, in German) can be found here:
http://www.stuttgarter-zeitung..../page/detail.php/1630449

Two news can found on Marklin website pressinformation


Spy-Tec, pdf click -->HERE<--.

Mobile vision, pdf click -->HERE<--.

Both in German.

** New link found...

https://www.lifepr.de/pr...ielzeugmarkt/boxid/30897

Edited by moderator 05 January 2018 19:24:00(UTC)  | Reason: updated link to old press release

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-view
When 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 ?

Yes. Without knowing any details, maybe the news is the fact that this system is an off-the-shelf solution to what computer oriented MRR people, like Dale, have done by themselves with custom programming. Clearly, nothing new for them, just for the rest of the guys. Not saying that these features really interest me, but I can see the point.

Off-topic, what I would love to see showing up would be an mfx version of the Switchpilot....

my post was not only referring to the fact that there is nothing new, in fact I even mentioned that its good to package such technology into a package that one can buy off the shelf.

The big point is this, I don't see how an off the shelf item can possibly work unless matched to an off the shelf layout. how would any device magically know how your tracks are connected and what your layout looks like ?

What do you 'non-experts' think this new system will actually do?

Probably because we are not experts we have no idea what it will do
The only off the shelf layout I know of are the starter sets.
I wont buy it but as I said I am sure several will and if they enjoy it then why not...its all about choices.

David

Dale has made some valid points on the technology. Thanks to Lutz to sharing the latest "innovations" from Maerklin.

If it helps Maerklin's bottom line then it is good for their model train business. Kids today love video games, computer games and sundry related items.

For me personally using one's mind to create is more worthwhile but I guess I live in past!!

Someone told on a forum that it is existing in aeromodelling with RC planes .
A camera on the plane . The camera is linked to a 3D video head set .
They call it "immersion flight" ( I translate from French " vol en immersion" ).
He says that flying alone is forbidden by law . ( matter of security) You have to be assisted by another "pilot" without headset .