Read more about how to use a Microsoft “HoloLens” in combination with Show Control devices in the article “Mixed Reality meets Show Control” in the bilingual Euro Amusement Professional magazine.
“The revitalization of existing attractions by adding “expanded reality” is one of the varied and exciting areas of applications for modern technologies at recreational facilities. Mixed reality applications are called for when the visitor’s perception of the real world should melt together with virtual content. Now recreational facility operators can take advantage of a system developed specifically for themed attractions by the Austrian companies Realsim® (a developer of hologram technology) and Weigl Control that was designed for the Microsoft “HoloLens” headset.
HoloLens is a mixed reality headset presenting interactive 3D projections in the real environment (users see the projections in their immediate surroundings through the “transparent” headset, not on a display.) The Microsoft device works without a smartphone or an additional computer via an integrated computing unit that plays the projections by using applications (cf. EAP 3/2019). Realsim has now developed on of these applications which communicates with the Weigl control unit using a special protocol. While visitors who want to experience an attraction with the HoloLens headset observe 3D projections in their real environment, their positions are constantly transmitted to the control units. Working in conjunction with the mixed reality experience, the projections are controlled in a coordinated fashion with the ongoing show sequences, triggering lighting and audio effects, animatronics and/or videos. The coordinated interplay of the components melts the borders between the real and virtual experience, immersing guests completely in the respective storyline.
The 3D content for guests to see with the HoloLens headset can be accordingly prepared for the application, or can even easily be created by the customers themselves. It is also possible for a variety of content to be played: for example, content for children as well as action-packed content aimed at mor adult park visitors can be offered on the same attraction. The expansion of an attraction to include mixed reality technology offers an affordable means of upgrading the experience along with the opportunity for seasonal theming.” (AS)
© EuroAmusement Professional, Issue 3/2021, G.P. Probst Verlag GmbH, www.eap-magazin.de