Within the framework of an exchange with iconoval, the network for image professionals in the Alsace, TWIST arranged for its members to participate in an economic mission between 17 and 18 March 2011 in Strasbourg.

The mission's objective was to meet important audiovisual players, such as ARTE, the virtual reality platform and iconoval members active in the fields of producing, audiovisual performances, serious game and augmented reality.

In total, five companies represented Wallonia: See&Touch, WNM, NeuroTV, Belle Productions and Dame Blanche.

The first day was the occasion to test the virtual reality platform set up on the premises of iconoval itself. This resource centre now consists of the in situ virtual reality platform and a mobile virtual reality system. It offers a system for study, tests, cooperation and technology transfer based on a shared resource platform, available for the enterprises and research teams. Holo3 manages the virtual reality platform within the framework of a partnership with iconoval.

A small dozen companies from Strasbourg were present to meet Walloon ones around collaborations in terms of post-production, virtual reality, animation and serious game.

On the second day, a visit of LIISt was scheduled, notably with natural man/machine interfacing systems with motion capture mechanisms, the whole with 3D vision on two screens (face and ground). Another visit was paid to another company (equivalent of spin-off), PIXIUM. Specialised in photorealist 3D stimulation of big projects for the lighting, architecture, urbanism and industry sectors, PIXIUM is often consulted by management groups for urban lighting, engineering and architecture bureaus, communication and production agencies, local and territorial collectivities with the purpose to better conceive, decide and communicate in order to obtain unanimous votes during calls for offers, contests and public meetings.

The afternoon, the Walloon companies were able to meet the people in charge of the technical matters at ARTE. The French-German television channel opened its backstage just before they moved on to HD (scheduled this week). A wooden village containing the old SD control room has been built in the hall of the television chain in order to maintain production during the transfer. One of the particularities of ARTE is the obligation to broadcast in two languages, French and German, which necessitates advanced engineering on all levels, whether it is the interpretation, the double broadcast of the channels or simply the management of broadcasting rights.

The mission ended on Friday when the companies returned to Namur. The next step of the programme is scheduled for June, when TWIST will welcome a delegation from Strasbourg and will in turn be able to showcase the Walloon audiovisual technological installations.

Note that the exchange falls under the Innovation Express Call, which is a joint call for projects developed under the TACTICS/European Cluster Alliance initiative (Innovation Express was initiated by the INNET projects, within the framework of Pro Inno Europe).