Project Endeavour
VR Experience
In January 2021, DG Cities and Oxbotica approached us to create two VR experiences for Project Endeavour, a consortium dedicated to deploying autonomous vehicles in UK urban areas. Due to the pandemic, public trials had to be postponed, but we provided the perfect solution: virtual reality.
Step into our immersive VR world where autonomous vehicles roam freely, reshaping the urban landscape. Despite the challenges, we've harnessed the power of VR to continue Project Endeavour's mission. Explore the possibilities, challenges, and advancements of this groundbreaking field.
A Project Endeavour autonomous vehicle on the streets on Oxford in 2020.
We were commissioned to create two captivating VR experiences that will transport you into the realm of autonomy. The first experience, affectionately named "Today," places you inside a present-day autonomous vehicle, while the second takes you on a mesmerizing journey into a future city where autonomous vehicles dominate the streets.
Our "Today" video was filmed on the outskirts of Oxford, along the current AV trial route. Battling the elements, our talented camera team, Jon Boyce and Andrew Yardley, captured multiple takes to create a captivating journey from the perspective of a backseat passenger. With an introduction by Stephen Kyberd from Oxbotica, the leading AV software development company, complemented by graphic overlays and expert voice-over narration, we have crafted an immersive 8-minute VR experience that expertly simulates the real-life thrill of riding in an autonomous vehicle.
The end result of our efforts was shared with over 2000 individuals who received Google Cardboard, providing them with the opportunity to enjoy the autonomous vehicle experience from the comfort of their own homes.
On location with Stephen Kyberd in Oxford.
The Google Cardboards of which over 2000 were given out.
By the time August 2021 had arrived, lockdown rules had eased enough for Project Endeavour to finally carry out their in-person trials in Greenwich where people were also able to experience our fully animated “Tomorrow” video. Leaping ahead a few years this experience imagined a city where electric vehicles and communal autonomous vehicles are commonplace. This video allowed us to flex our animation muscles, deploying the skills of Marco and Phillip Sandeman. With spatial sound design from Oliver Kadel, I think you’ll agree we have created an engaging peer into the future.
The Project Endeavour VR Experiences in action at the trials in Greenwich.
The fleet of Ford Mondeo AVs at the public trials in Greenwich.
“The East City Films team brought great creative energy and vision to our project, whilst also keeping firmly within our agreed budgets and timelines. Ash and Darren (and their whole team) were super flexible during delivery, responding to our requests with a can-do attitude that enabled us to tweak the final product until it was just as we wanted it. The filming in the autonomous vehicles was particularly challenging due to Covid restrictions and the variability of random road events that we hoped to capture. Meanwhile, the animated world they’ve created is not only attractive but also very nuanced and insightful. We are looking forward to upcoming opportunities where we could work together again.”
Although the public trials have now finished in Greenwich, Project Endeavour continues, and the VR experiences will be available for some time to come. For more information on what they are getting up to, check out their website www.projectendeavour.uk.
*The Endeavour consortium, which is part-funded by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, is being led by Oxbotica, in collaboration with DG Cities, Immense, TRL, BSI, and Oxfordshire County Council.