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Attractions technology : 3 Major Projects ‘ What happened next?

Opinion

1.    Smart Pixels.

This revolutionary new display technology was announced by Global Immersion’s Martin Howe exactly a year ago to the general astonishment of the industry. Utilising on-board nano-processors, the very latest in Organic LED (OLED) technology and microwave transmitters together with state of the art polysyllabic pseudo-scientific nomenclature and acronymic etymology (PPNAE) the plan was that each individual pixel in the display would  in effect be “smart” , operating as a separate entity but in glorious unison with its fellow pixels.

With scaled down satellite technology and nano GPS receivers “each pixel literally knows its precise location in the screen” and this innovative and ingenious development looked set to shake the audiovisual business to its core.  For the full feature see: Global Immersion Sneak Preview of Its New SmartPixel [tm] Technology 

When we last heard, the pixels were still in early development. With a large display featuring 100 million pixels, the size of each individual pixel last year (around a foot in diameter), was an issue: not exactly “nano” technology. Furthermore, at $10 per pixel the costing would clearly need work. So where is this technology now?

We touched base with Howe – he is currently engaged in an ongoing development and installation project in the British Virgin Islands – and he said,   “Miniaturisation is still the key. We are almost there. I will be working on this over lunch when I am back in June. Or July”.

2.    Binge Britain: The Theme park Ride.  (see Binge Britain: The Theme park Ride )

 

With the general election imminent here in the UK, this highly ambitious project, which first caused a stir 2  years ago, had the potential to become a political “hot potato”. As all the major parties look to make society and its ills a central point of their campaign (The Conservatives suggesting we live in “Broken Britain”, The Labour Party countering with “It’s OK actually, don’t knock it”) this themed ride, a whirlwind "binge-drinking and nightclubbing interactive experience", seemed certain to be both a hugely popular attraction and a provocative and timely source of debate. Is Britain at night simply a scene of wild bacchanalian excess or is it still a land of thatched cottages and vicars waving hello as they cycle by on a Sunday morning?

We spoke to Alvin Sidebottom to see what had become of his plans. He explained that there had been a breakdown in communication between him and the major theme park operators as none had returned his calls.

3. The Lunar waterpark .

Finally, the most extravagant of the projects – and undoubtedly the most expensive- was The Lunar waterpark plan. (see: Ambitious plans for $2 Billion Lunar Waterpark set to lift off  ).

The entrepreneur behind this extraordinary scheme – a waterpark on the moon – is Albert Sidebottom,   a cousin of the designer of Binge Britain the Theme Park Ride (above). However, we are unable to report as to his success with NASA, Disney or indeed any of the other amusement park players with which he was hoping to work as he has left the industry and now is a major operative in the North East Lancashire door to door Shellfish consultancy business.

Images:

Top – the earth viewed from the moon with waterpark scene and possible appearance of smartpixel once down to 1 inch in diameter.

Bottom right – typical "binge-drinking" scene, note empty beer bottles and licentious behaviour.

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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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