Rowan U. Unveils Newly Expanded Virtual Reality Modeling Center
By Pat Loeb
GLASSBORO, N.J. (CBS) -- Rowan University today took a major step toward establishing itself as a technology hub for South Jersey with the unveiling of its newly expanded "virtual reality" center, taking problem-solving to a new level.
"Now, Mark, if you wouldn't mind, please, going ahead and load in the hurricane..." said George Lecakes, the center's director, narrating a demonstration of the center's capabilities. "So, here we're looking at a hurricane..."
Lecakes (in photo) stood just a few inches from the swirling mass of clouds -- something he obviously couldn't do if this reality were not virtual.
Lecakes says the center is able to gather information and then use it to simulate what-if situations.
"And in real time we can be looking at what would happen if a storm system hits us," he continued. "So, why don't we go ahead and bring in the flood waters, Mark?"
Rowan University is the only place in South Jersey with this technology, and university officials say they believe the multimillion-dollar investment will pay off as corporations and government agencies seek cutting-edge solutions to increasingly complicated problems.
"We're providing a vessel, a technology vessel, for data and information," says Lecakes, "where anyone can come in here and begin understanding problems better."