There has been a lot of talk in recent months about how big the VR market will become in the coming years. VR technology has given a new dimension to the world. To put it simply, Virtual reality (VR) is a completely immersive, three-dimensional (3D) artificial environment that simulates physical presence in places in the virtual world. VR technology enables users to interact and immerse themselves in VR environments with digital content. VR is one of the incredibly versatile technologies and most sectors/industries can benefit from it. However, VR technology has really enhanced and uplift the entertainment industry in terms of more wider and better experience.
Virtual Reality In Amusement Parks
Theme parks’ core business is to entertain and provide thrill-seeking rides and out-of-the-ordinary experiences for its customers. The entertainment sector has seen steady growth driven by consistent revenue performances and niche target groups willing to spend money at amusement parks. Rather than just providing fun and entertaining rides, they are demanding a unique and immersive entertainment environment. As major corporations and brands have put a lot of money into this technology, this leaves theme park operators with no choice but to jump on board.
VR is exactly that cutting edge technology that will take theme park operators into the next generation and will deliver great entertainment and out of this world experiences. The roller coasters, water slides, drop towers, pendulum rides and even merry-go-rounds will be better in VR amusement parks and will give thrilling experience to people in coming generation.
Needles to say, Virtual reality simulators are becoming one of the most popular genres of VR applications.Virtual reality (VR) simulation provides users with an immersive, 3D experience. We can realistically simulate sports in extreme conditions, such as how skiing feels when you're in outer space, or skiing in the Himalayan mountains and we can do that in a completely safe setting. Or realistically simulate places, such as scuba diving with sharks by the shores of Thailand.
While all these use cases talked about the experience, VR still has other things to offer like Motion Tracking.
So, what is Motion tracking in VR?
Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to enhance practically every attraction in an amusement park. A VR arena with motion tracking is something that is still not very popular despite the fact that it can be incredibly entertaining. A crucial element of VR systems is motion tracking, which is the act of digitizing your movements for use in computer software. You wouldn't be able to look around, move, or explore in the virtual world without VR motion tracking technologies. A genuinely immersive experience must allow you to engage and interact with the virtual world without being reminded of the actual world as soon as you put on your VR headset or enter a VR CAVE.
There are two types of motion tracking technologies
Optical Tracking
Optical tracking uses either active or passive infrared markers that are connected to the object to track the position of the object in real time. Using a camera system, the location of the point of reflection is identified.
Non-optical Tracking
Non-optical tracking measures and tracks movements using tiny electromechanical sensors that are affixed to the body or built into technology. Typically, these include accelerometers, magnetometers, and gyroscopes.
What are the advantages of VR Theme Park?
Apart from the adventurous fun, VR has been advantageous for many. Amusement parks such as Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Hersheypark in Pennsylvania are already using VR. Virtual reality gives people the chance to travel around the world, and even outer space, without having to leave the comfort of their homes. From roller coasters to simple rides, implementing a virtual reality (VR) solution in your theme park is a great alternative. It's easier to trick the brain into thinking it's somewhere else and it's way cheaper to build a VR experience than it is a traditional flat ride.
What are challenges that VR Theme Park is facing?
But the main challenge is to set up such parks with high-end technology and it can be very costly. Playing a VR game at an amusement park is fun. But setting up the attraction itself is quite difficult and requires a set of experienced developers and engineers. Synchronizing the digital environment with motion requires precision. Then there are the issues pertaining to safety and protection for users. For waterslide rides, the device has to be waterproof. Rollercoaster headsets use fantastically designed mounts, as if falling off, would really be a tragedy. Finally, the motion tracking and synchronization for virtual reality has to be seamless and impeccably elegant, so that users don’t bump into each other.
Conclusion
VR is bringing this special dynamic to this industry. It’s not hard to imagine how VR can spawn new theme parks entirely, or how it could transform existing ones into long-lasting destinations. Because virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are still relatively new, it’s highly unlikely that this immersive media will replace the fun of traveling to visit real-life amusement parks. However, investments in VR and AR will greatly help amusement parks in enhancing their customers’ experiences.
A relatively new company in the Orlando area, raises the interesting question: if we can create theme parks attractions in the virtual space that are nearly a mirror image of their real-world counterparts, do we really need the physical rides? We will know with time.