Universal has filed a patent to improve virtual reality (VR) rides at its theme parks by including physical reactions in a virtual world.
The new Universal Destinations & Experiences patent application, titled ‘facial activity detection for virtual reality systems and methods’, describes a technology where riders on an attraction with VR elements can wear a camera facing them (via Orlando Inno). This could detect physical characteristics including facial expressions and gestures.
The patent says a rider could wear a headset that includes a camera facing them to capture the “physical characteristics of the rider, such as facial features, facial movement, facial gestures, movement of limbs, and so forth”.
The new technology would then present VR images with “physical characteristics of the rider to other riders and/or guests at approximately the same time as image data indicative of the physical characteristics is determined”, the patent adds.
The patent describes being able to generate an avatar with similar facial characteristics and movements to the rider to show to other riders and visitors at Universal parks.
This could be a solution to some VR rides showing a virtual world “that fails to resemble the surroundings”, such as other riders and weather conditions, which “affects the ride experience”.
According to the patent, when a rider turns their head towards another rider, they “may expect to see the other rider depicted” in the headset.
Headset to detect physical characteristics
“However, the virtual reality image content presented on the display may not match the other rider’s physical characteristics, gestures, facial features, and so forth,” the patent says.
“As such, a mismatch between the rider’s expected view and the virtual reality image content may affect the ride experience.”
Last month, Universal Destinations & Experiences applied for a patent that introduces a system with facial and skeletal recognition technology that could improve augmented reality (AR) experiences in theme parks.
