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laurence beckers alterface speaks at attractionsTECH conference ise 2019

attractionsTECH 2019 at ISE showcased VR, projection, AI (and a Yoda/Buddha tattoo)

On Friday February 8th at the ISE Show in Amsterdam, Blooloop held its first attractionsTECH conference.Ā 

Charles Read opens attractionsTECH by blooloop at ISE 2019

Blooloop MD Charles Read opened the attractionsTECH conference.Ā The event saw leading technologists highlight how technology is impacting the world of visitor attractions.

The sponsor for the attractionsTECH conference 2019 was leading digital imaging pioneer Digital Projection and the event was produced in collaboration with our partners ISE.

Digital Projection

Martin Howe: How technology is transforming visitor attractions

Martin Howe attractionsTECH by blooloop at ISE 2019

Martin Howe, CEO of Teq4 and Immersivity, was compere for the morning.

His introductory session set the scene with the hypothesis that “2019 is the year of the future”.

2019 is the year of the future

After over a century of sci-fi, we now have robotic dogs, virtual reality and flying cars. Therefore technology and money are no longer limiting factors to creativity. The result is that the latest attractions can integrate (and assimilate) not just technology, but also the visitor and their information.

With the ultra immersive Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge on the horizon, visitor attractions will be able to envelop and interact with the guest like never before.

Rides like Millennium Falcon: Smugglerā€™s Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, described by Scott Trowbridge, Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering as “the most epic attraction that we have ever built”, promise to put the guest at the heart of the experience.

Even the Star Wars hotel will be themed, gamified and responsive, using cutting-edge technologies to transport the visitor to a galaxy far far away.

DermotĀ Quinn:Ā Some future concepts for projectionĀ 

Dermot Quinn Digital Projection at attractionsTECH by blooloop at ISE 2019

COO & CTO of Digital Projection Dermot Quinn was then introduced by Martin as the “godfather of projectors”. Dermot modestly suggested that he was only the “godson”, with Brian Critchley the godfather.

It transpired that Dermot designed a component of the Huygens probe which is currently sitting on Titan, thereby winning hands-down the Fun facts about speakers competition.

Dermot gave an overview of the evolution of projection technology. The advances have been remarkable but with projectors getting bigger and bigger and where do we go next?

He gave two examples of current projects that have particularly interesting applications for attractions.

Firstly, Digital Projection is developing a projector with the head separate from the light source. This allows the bulky light source and and noisy cooling mechanism to be placed at a distance from the image (and visitors).

Multiview by Digital Projection

A second project – Multiview – is being undertaken with the Bauhaus University Weimar. Multiview allows multiple 3D images to be viewed on one screen. The 3D glasses worn by the guest determines which image is seen.

Matt Barton:Ā Opportunities for inclusion

Matt Barton 7th Sense attractionsTECH by blooloop at ISE 2019

CEO/MD of 7thSense Design, Matt Barton, said Martin, “sends pixels where you want them to go and quickly”. Matt is also Scout Leader with 2nd Chailey Scout Group. The Group is based at Chailey Heritage School in East Sussex, a charitable special school for children and young adults with complex physical disabilities.

Through this connection Matt has first hand experience of helping people with special needs enjoy visitor attractions. Technology is out there now that can help to make the world more inclusive.

Help us lose the labels

AR could change everything says Matt. If we can create comfortable glasses that people are happy to wear all around the theme park or museum, we can then deliver enhanced and tailored information to the people who need it.

It’s worth considering that not every disability is visible. We can “lose the labels” with RFID and facial recognition. The technology means that all the information about a guest’s needs can be loaded up before they even get to the park.

Most importantly, Matt argues that by designingĀ for a spectrum of needs, you can enhance the experience for everyone.

RaphaĆ«l de Borman:Ā Engaging the visitors of the future with image capture technology

Raphael de Borman Picsolve attractionsTECH by blooloop at ISE 2019

RaphaĆ«l is the founder and CEO of Panora.me andĀ Head of Capture Innovation Hub at Picsolve. He says that his job is nice because “our principal raw material is smiles”.

our principal raw material is smiles

He then gave a fascinating insight into the fast pace of change in image capture for visitor attractions. The excellent quality of mobile phone cameras, computation photography, AI, apps and social media creativity, allow visitors to take amazing images, recording and sharing their experience. This together with the popularity of shareable short video means that traditional image capture companies will have to offer something unique, high quality and shareable that guests are unable to create with their smartphones.

https://vimeo.com/289432049

Guests want image capture to be part of an immersive experience, with an emotional connection rather than just functional.Ā Finally, RaphaĆ«l suggests that when we look towards future innovation, we shouldn’t underestimate the creativity of our guests. People are want to work with the technology we provide to create their own content.

BobĀ Cooney –Ā Virtual Reality: Itā€™s not what you think it is

Bob Cooney talks VR at attractionsTECH by blooloop at ISE 2019

Next was Bob Cooney,Ā is one of the worldā€™s leading experts inĀ Location-based Virtual Reality. He also has a Yoda/Buddha hybrid tattoo. He brought his expertise and experience in VR to theĀ attractionsTECH conference.

Operators, Bob said, should not see VR as an item on a checklist. It’s “just a display technology” he says, “Every arcade game within ten years will use VR as its display mechanism.”

Every arcade game within ten years will use VR as its display mechanism

As the technology improves we will see the arcades of the future incorporating VR as part of an experience resort. Developments like Two Bit Circus and VR Park in Dubai point the way.

Laurence Beckers –Ā How AI enhanced storytelling shapes the future of interactive experiences

Laurence Beckers Alterface attractionsTECH by blooloop at ISE 2019

Alterface‘s Creative Director isĀ Laurence Beckers. She says that her job is to “transform technology into fun experiences”.

She says that a successful interactive dark ride experience needs three elements:

  • a compelling story integrated to create a powerful user experience
  • technology to engage both emotion and intellect
  • interactivity across all elements

Data analysis, AI, RFID, Extended Reality, video mapping and facial recognition technologies have the potential to deliver compelling interactive experiences.

Erratic at Walibi will be the first non-linear interactive ride, creating a ride path dictated by the guest’s interaction.

However, artainment attractions like TeamLab and are beautiful but ultimately rather flat experiences, says Laurence because they lack a visceral, emotional and shareable elements.

Laurence cautions that we should avoid overstimulation by integrating too much interactive technology just because we can:

https://youtu.be/YJg02ivYzSs

We shouldn’t forget to include low tech as well, withĀ experiences like Vallea Lumina creating an engaging emotional connection.

Chris Lange –Ā Integration of technology and best practice in existing and new-built themed environments

Chris Lange isthe Creative Director of Mack Solutions - Europa Park, Rulantica

Chris Lange is theĀ Creative Director of Mack Solutions. He brought the attractionsTECH conference to a close, with an operator’s view point of integrating technology. Mack Solutions is the in-house creative and design department of Europa Park, one of the worldā€™s leading theme parks, with well over 5 million annual visitors.

Europa Park has pushed the boundaries of technology, most recently with the Eurosat Coastiality coaster, enhanced with VR and content from the movie Valerian. The attraction is also the first “roam and ride” experience, with guests in VR headsets throughout the pre-show and ride.

Delivering emotions

Chris also talked about his latest project, the Rulantica waterpark which opens this year at Europa Park. With eight themed lands and thrilling themed slides from ProSlide,Ā the project includes its own particular challenges in integrating technology to deliver the creative vision.

Mermaid Grotto at Rulantica waterpark Europa Park
Rulantica concept art courtesy of Europa Park

The designs for the Mermaid Grotto and lazy river include moving images of mermaids to create a magical underwater paradise. But integrating the technology in confined spaces in a chlorinated environment has required innovation and flexibility.

A key lesson is to keep flexible through the process. Some decisions should be made as late as possible; with a long project timeline, and fast-developing technology you want to be able to use the best products possible. Therefore delaying key decisions about technology where possible, means that you won’t narrow your options too early.

Whatever project you’re working on says Chris, – a motion base, flying theatre or wooden coaster – “the most important thing you do is to deliver emotions. Technology should be in the background.”

The most important thing you do is to deliver emotions, technology should be in the background.

A fantastic conclusion to a stimulating morning.

Huge thanks to our sponsors, Digital Projection. Also to our speakers, each of whom prepared and delivered engaging and thought-provoking sessions, ISE and to our attendees.

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Rachel Reed

Rachel Read

Rachel is co-founder and FD of blooloop. She has a degree in engineering from Cambridge University, is a Chartered Accountant and has a certificate in Sustainability Leadership and Corporate Responsibility from London Business School. Rachel oversees our news, events and sustainability.

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