AStation, a pioneer in mixed reality entertainment, is celebrating the launch of its most ambitious mixed reality experience to date, Cosmos, at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.
The new Cosmos experience opens today at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Image courtesy of AStation
Opening today, 14 September, Cosmos takes visitors on an adventure through a shark tunnel and into the birth of the universe, where they will see stars ignite, planets form, and approach the edge of a black hole.
Guests enjoy their experience with their feet firmly on the ground, surrounded by sea creatures.
Enterverse mixed reality platform
Including Cosmos, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies’ Venture Realm now features four iterations of AStation's proprietary technology, Enterverse, the world's only large-scale outdoor mixed reality platform.
The new experience joins the prehistoric forest adventure Dinosaur Park, which opened on 1 June; Shan Hai Jing, which transports guests to mythical realms of ancient Chinese legend and launched on 1 July; and Wonders, which explores the Forbidden City and the Roman Colosseum and followed on 1 August.
With all four experiences now live, visitors can now explore the full Enterverse library.
Chris Chen, CEO of AStation, says: "Cosmos is the boldest, biggest swing we've ever taken.
"The images seem infinite. Watching guests jaws drop as the galaxies come to life is exactly why we do this. It's the strangest, most unbelievable adventure we've ever put in front of people, and Ripley’s is the one brand on Earth built to hand it to them."
Jim Pattison of Ripley’s and Chris Chen of AStation clink glasses at IAAPA Asia Expo to celebrate the Enterverse’s arrival in Gatlinburg, TN, its first home outside of AsiaImage courtesy of AStation
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is the only venue outside of Asia where guests can experience Cosmos and the rest of the Enterverse catalogue.
The attraction uses Apple Vision Pro headsets to let guests walk freely and untethered as the real and digital worlds blend seamlessly around them.
In July, AStation shared details of the proprietary Enterverse platform and its installation at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.
“Their brand is built on wonder, on the unexpected, on experiences that stop people in their tracks," said Chen. "This partnership puts powerful outdoor mixed reality technology inside one of the most beloved attraction brands on the planet—it’s the perfect match."
