After conquering the big screen, small screen and handheld screen, 3D technology is now going for the jugular: roller coasters.
The new Space Fantasy attraction at Universal Studios Japan is the first big play to bring immersive 3D tracking and multi-touch technology to theme park rides. Powered by technology created by GestureTek, Space Fantasy promises to be the ultimate ride experience. In a nutshell, imagine Microsoft Natal fused with 3D.
3D technology has been used in amusement and theme park rides for decades (think Captain EO or Honey, I Shrunk the Audience), but what makes what GestureTek is doing with Space Fantasy special is that the world is interactive.
Before the ride starts, visitors line up next to an 85-foot, motion-driven “Harmony Wall.” The wall has 22 3D cameras and 13 projections systems integrated into the Wall, all powered by 16 rack-mounded quad core computers. This lets the system track the heads of up to 66 guests and 132 hands. The gestures and movements individuals make affect the entire experience.
Once on the ride, the GestureTek software and camera technology lets visitors directly interact and control the content on the screens around them. Users can alter the images that are displayed around them just by gesturing their arms or making movements with their hands.
As visitors travel up a 98-foot, in-ride tunnel, riders can “collect” special “Stardust Clouds” from the interactive LED displays on the sides to help re-energize the sun (the ultimate goal of the ride). All of the activity in the tunnel takes place without having to use touch panels or other controls; it just requires hand and arm movements that are tracked by the camera system.
Check out this video to get a look at what Space Fantasy is all about:
Frankly, we can’t wait for some of this technology to hit American theme parks because it looks just incredible. Perhaps immersive 3D rides could reinvigorate the theme park industry in the same way that 3D films have revived slumping U.S. box office sales.
Would 3D gesture and camera technology inspire you to re-explore theme parks?
More About: 3D, 3d tech, future tech, gesturetek, rides, roller coasters, theme parks
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