ENGAGE hosts BMW Motorsport for Virtual Workshop
ENGAGE, the virtual communications platform was chosen by BMW Motorsport in conjunction with Wir Sind Jerry, a sports consulting agency and govar, a team of AR/VR experts to host a series of virtual experiences.
With global restrictions on live events, the ‘BMW Virtual Garage Experience’ provided an opportunity for BMW Motorsport to create immersive experiences in a digital world to share with sponsors, partners, and customers, offering even more possibilities than live onsite events. By using the built-in features and tools in ENGAGE, the experience creators integrated CAD (computer-aided design) and 3D renders of the BMW Andretti Motorsport race cars, alongside videos, live streams, presentations. During the second masterclass, people also explored the virtual International Space Station (ISS).
During the first garage tour, a BMW engineer introduced the concept of an electric racer. Attendees were able to get up close with the model and look through the car to see the inside workings as if using an x-ray machine. They also heard first-hand insights from BMW Motorsport drivers, which is done through our 3D recorded feature.
In addition, there was a Formula E racer which they could view the interior. Attendees could also take a virtual 360˚ lap of a racetrack as a co-driver and network at the branded Roof Top Bar.
In the second of the masterclass series, govar created a virtual render of the International Space Station (ISS). In this highly interactive experience, attendees “floated in space” outside of the station, made the ISS station fully transparent, and were able to sit in a Cupola, the observatory module inside the ISS. On the day of the event, attendees were accompanied by retired astronaut Steven Swanson. He gave a tour around ISS sharing his direct experience of living on the station, making this a true one-of-a-kind experience.
This virtual masterclass series helps to boost immersion for partners and customers who have not been able to attend events during the pandemic or due to geographical barriers. It creates the feeling of a live event that can be joined in VR headsets or simply in 2D on desktop and smartphones.
Karsten Streng (Co-Founder and Managing Director – Wir sind Jerry GmbH)
“We thank BMW Motorsport for their trust to transfer exclusive customer experiences together with us into the virtual world. Our joint showcase provides proof that VR not only works as an emotional activation but also as a first-class networking platform.”
Stefan Goeppel (Managing Director – govar GmbH)
“It was a perfect combination of We Are Jerry´s Sports knowledge, govar´s AR/VR experience to bring this project to life for BMW I Motorsport. I really enjoyed being on the ISS with Steven Swanson and hear insights, how it feels being there and preparing for spacewalks.”
Gerhard Daum (Space Consultant, Space journalist and Initiator of Europe’s Largest Human Spaceflight Exhibition “Apollo and Beyond” at the Technik Museum Speyer, Germany)
“The VR Masterclass gave us and the participants a unique view outside and aboard the International Space Station 400 kilometers above the Earth. For me, it was by far the most innovative and experiential way to showcase the space station and immerse ourselves in life in space.”