A virtual reality roller coaster is a special kind of amusement park ride attraction, consisting of a roller coaster facility or ride that can be experienced with virtual reality headsets.[1] The setup has been invented[2] by Thomas Wagner, who has also produced most of the worldwide installations with his company VR Coaster GmbH & Co. KG since late 2015.[3][4] Since then, several theme parks all over the world have been adapting this technology to extend their existing coaster facilities.[5][6]

Background and history

A train of the Superman – The Ride virtual reality roller coaster at the Six Flags New England theme park. Riders are wearing Gear VR virtual reality headsets.

While virtual reality roller coaster simulations quickly became quite popular after the appearance of the Oculus Rift, it showed that dizziness and motion sickness, known as virtual reality sickness, would be a major problem.[7] This was caused by the offset between the simulated motion in virtual reality and the lack of real motion, as the inner sense of balance wouldn't feel the appropriate forces and turns.[8] In order to test if this could be overcome by synchronizing virtual reality movement to real motion, a research group of the University of Applied Sciences, Kaiserslautern, led by Thomas Wagner, together with roller coaster manufacturer Mack Rides and Europa-Park, has been conducting experiments on actual roller coaster facilities since early 2014.[9] It showed that, with a precise synchronization, not only the nausea would disappear, but also a new kind of attraction was created as, for the first time, this setup allowed for a simulation ride to feature continuous G forces, zero gravity and drops (or so-called air time).

Still, the technical setup of the 2014 experiments was not feasible yet for a permanent installation. Most of all, mounting a computer on a coaster train would not have worked due to the continuous heavy vibrations; also the usual cable connection of a classical virtual reality headset like the Oculus Rift would have meant a serious safety hazard. Wagner and his team could eventually overcome these problems by deploying so called mobile virtual reality headsets like the Samsung Gear VR, where the entire image generation happens directly inside of the actual headset. The very first virtual reality roller coaster installations have been opened to the public in late 2015,[10] starting at Europa-Park, Germany, followed by Canada's Wonderland[11] and Universal Studios Japan,[12] all of them developed by the startup company VR Coaster, which originated from Wagners Research Group.[13]

In 2014, another startup called Astral Vision[14] presented a wearable technology prototype for theme park rides that uses mobile phone sensors and does not require additional sensors.

As of June 2016, 17 theme parks worldwide were operating virtual reality roller coasters.

Technical solutions

Key to a comfortable virtual reality experience on an actual moving ride attraction is a precise synchronization of the virtual ride animation.[15][16] To achieve this, the coaster train is equipped with special hardware that monitors the position of the train in the track layout and then wirelessly transmits this information to the headsets of the riders.[17][16][18] This is also crucial, as the virtual reality experience needs to run in absolute tracking mode (unlike relative tracking when used at home, where the virtual reality view automatically rotates with a virtual vehicle), so without a precise tracking solution, curves and turns would not be in the right place. In other words, a virtual cockpit must always turn and travel in exactly the same direction as the real coaster car, which would not be possible without an automated synchronization. Still, as the human sense of balance can't detect absolute velocities but only acceleration and turns, speed and dimensions can be altered in virtual reality.[19] Even curves can be bent to different angles, as long as the relative direction of the turn is preserved (clockwise or counterclockwise).[20]

Experience

As virtual reality allows for several modifications and extensions of the actual track layout, the size of the virtual reality track can be much larger than the real one.[21] This of course means that speeds can be much faster and heights much taller, as these aspects also grow with the increased dimensions. Most of all, there is no need to show an actual track or rails (which would give away what element comes next), other than for dramaturgical reasons. As the rider is totally immersed in the virtual reality world, one can even be tricked by giving hints on a wrong track direction and then e.g. have a giant creature grabbing the virtual cockpit and carrying it into a different direction (which turns out to be the actual direction of the rails). Also, the effect of physical track elements like block brakes can be utilized in the virtual reality experience for dramatic elements like crashing through a virtual barrier or building[22] Riders report after their first virtual reality roller coaster ride that it is unlike anything they have ever experienced before.[23]

Operation

Riders are provided with virtual reality headsets to wear whilst on the ride. These headsets may be portable, or permanently attached to the ride itself and will display a synchronised video to the riders who experience the motions of the ride combined with the alternate reality provided through the headsets. After the ride, headsets are sanitised and (where applicable) recharged for future use.

In most cases, the virtual reality aspect of the ride is optional, and in some cases a supplement may be required for use.

Appearances

In Operation? Name Name of Roller Coaster Type Duration Length in Meters VR optional? Opening Roller Coaster Manufacturer VR Developer Park Country City, Region Note
check Alpenexpress Coastiality Alpenexpress Enzian[24] Powered Coaster 1:40 264 check

5/19 VR-Rows

 September 17, 2015[25] Mack Rides MackMedia and VR Coaster[26] Europa-Park  Germany Rust, Baden-Württemberg
check Thunder Run VR Thunder Run[27] Powered Coaster 1:24 330,1 check October 3, 2015 Mack Rides VR Coaster Canada's Wonderland  Canada Vaughan, Ontario
check VR Coaster Freedom Flyer[28] Suspended Family Coaster 1:00 395 check November 16, 2015 Vekoma VR Coaster Fun Spot America  United States Orlando, Florida VR Demonstration at IAAPA 2015
check Universal Studios Japan XR Rides Space Fantasy: The Ride[29] Spinning Coaster 2:35 585 check January 14, 2016[30][31] Mack Rides VR Coaster Universal Studios Japan  Japan Osaka, Osaka World's first rollercoaster fully dedicated to Virtual Reality
☒ Galactic Attack Virtual Reality Coaster Shock Wave Sit-Down Coaster 2:00 1097,3 check March 10, 2016 Schwarzkopf VR Coaster Six Flags Over Texas  United States Arlington, Texas
☒ Galactic Attack Virtual Reality Coaster Dare Devil Dive Sit-Down Coaster 639,8 check March 12, 2016 Gerstlauer Amusement Rides VR Coaster Six Flags Over Georgia  United States Austell, Georgia
☒ Pegasus Coastiality Pegasus Youngstar Coaster 1:30 400 check

4/10 VR-Rows

 March 17, 2016 Mack Rides Ambient Entertainment, VR Coaster and MackMedia Europa-Park  Germany Rust, Baden-Württemberg
check Dinolino's VR-Ride Familienachterbahn Sit-Down Coaster 1:25 222 check March 19, 2016[32] Zierer VR Coaster Erlebnispark Schloss Thurn  Germany Heroldsbach, Bayern
☒ Galactica Air[33] Flying Coaster 1:40 840 check March 24, 2016 Bolliger & Mabillard Figment Productions Alton Towers Resort  United Kingdom Alton, Staffordshire Moorlands
☒ Galactic Attack Virtual Reality Coaster New Revolution Sit-Down Coaster 2:12 1053,7 check March 25, 2016 Schwarzkopf VR Coaster Six Flags Magic Mountain  United States Valencia, California
check Mount Mara[34] Revolution Sit-Down Coaster 2:20 720 check March 26, 2016 Vekoma VR Coaster Bobbejaanland  Belgium Lichtaart, Antwerp
check Linnunrata eXtra[35] Linnunrata Sit-Down Coaster 0:50 360 check May 1, 2016 Zierer VR Coaster Linnanmäki  Finland Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
☒ The New Revolution Virtual Reality Coaster Goliath Hyper Coaster 1231 check May 19, 2016 Bolliger & Mabillard VR Coaster La Ronde  Canada Montréal, Québec
☒ Iron Dragon Iron Dragon Suspended Coaster 2:00 853 check May 24, 2016 Arrow Dynamics VR Coaster Cedar Point  United States Sandusky, Ohio
☒ Galactic Attack Virtual Reality Coaster Ninja Sit-Down Coaster 2:00 740,7 check May 24, 2016 Vekoma VR Coaster Six Flags St. Louis  United States Eureka, Missouri
☒ SUPERMAN Ride of Steel Virtual Reality Coaster Superman - Ride of Steel Mega Coaster 2:10 1630,7 check June 8, 2016 Intamin Amusement Rides VR Coaster Six Flags America  United States Upper Marlboro, Maryland
☒ SUPERMAN Krypton Coaster Virtual Reality Coaster Superman Krypton Coaster Floorless Coaster 2:35 1226,8 check June 8, 2016 Bolliger & Mabillard VR Coaster Six Flags Fiesta Texas  United States San Antonio, Texas
☒ SUPERMAN The Ride Virtual Reality Coaster Superman the Ride Mega Coaster 2:35 1645,9 check June 9, 2016 Intamin Amusement Rides VR Coaster Six Flags New England  United States Agawam, Massachusetts
☒ The New Revolution Virtual Reality Coaster Steamin' Demon Sit-Down Coaster 0:37 477 check June 20, 2016 Arrow Dynamics VR Coaster Great Escape  United States Queensbury, New York
check Olandese Volante Olandese Volante Mine Train 2.30 681 check June 25, 2016 Vekoma Moviemex3D Rainbow Magic Land  Italy Valmontone (Rome) First Italian VR Coaster
☒ Rage of the Gargoyles: Virtual Reality Coaster Demon Sit-Down Coaster 1:45 649 check August 10, 2016 Arrow Dynamics VR Coaster Six Flags Great America  United States Gurnee, Illinois
☒ Rage of the Gargoyles: Virtual Reality Coaster Skull Mountain Sit-Down Coaster 1:24 420 check September 20, 2016 Intamin Amusement Rides VR Coaster Six Flags Great Adventure  United States Jackson, New Jersey
☒ Rage of the Gargoyles: Virtual Reality Coaster Kong Suspended Looping Coaster 1:36 689 check September 22, 2016 Vekoma VR Coaster Six Flags Discovery Kingdom  United States Vallejo, California
☒ Rage of the Gargoyles: Virtual Reality Coaster Shock Wave Sit-Down Coaster 2:00 1097,3 check Schwarzkopf VR Coaster Six Flags Over Texas  United States Arlington, Texas
☒ Rage of the Gargoyles: Virtual Reality Coaster Ninja Sit-Down Coaster 2:00 740,7 check Vekoma VR Coaster Six Flags St. Louis  United States Eureka, Missouri
☒ Rage of the Gargoyles: Virtual Reality Coaster Dare Devil Dive Sit-Down Coaster 639,8 check Gerstlauer Amusement Rides VR Coaster Six Flags Over Georgia  United States Austell, Georgia
☒ Rage of the Gargoyles: Virtual Reality Coaster Goliath Hyper Coaster 1231 check Bolliger & Mabillard VR Coaster La Ronde  Canada Montréal, Québec
check Freedom Flyer 2.0 Freedom Flyer[28] Suspended Family Coaster 1:00 395 check November 16, 2016 Vekoma VR Coaster Fun Spot America  United States Orlando, Florida
☒ Santa's Wild Sleigh Ride The New Revolution Sit-Down Coaster 2:12 1053,7 check November 19, 2016 Schwarzkopf VR Coaster Six Flags Magic Mountain  United States Valencia, California Christmas Special
☒ SHAMAN Magic Mountain (roller coaster) Sit-Down Coaster 2:00 700 check 2017 Vekoma Figment Productions Gardaland  Italy Castelnuovo del Garda, Veneto
check Arkham Asylum Arkham Asylum – Shock Therapy Suspended Looping Coaster 1:42 765 check 2016-17 Vekoma VR Coaster Warner Bros. Movie World  Australia Gold Coast, Queensland
check Evangelion XR Ride Space Fantasy - The Ride Sit-Down Coaster 585 check January 13, 2017 Mack Rides VR Coaster Universal Studios Japan  Japan Osaka, Osaka This ride is a part of the "Universal Cool Japan 2017" event, concluded on June 25, 2017.
check Dæmonen Virtual Reality Dæmonen Floorless Coaster 1:46 564 check April 6, 2017 Bolliger & Mabillard VR Coaster Tivoli Gardens  Denmark Copenhagen
check Tren de la Mina VR Coaster Tren de la Mina Sit-Down Coaster 1:46 564 check May 20, 2017 Gerstlauer Amusement Rides GmbH VR Coaster Parque de Atracciones de Madrid  Spain Madrid
check Astral Vision WindstarZ Family Rides 2:01 480 check March, 2017 Zamperla Astral Vision Luna Park  United States New York
☒ Master Thai VR Coaster Master Thai Sit-Down Coaster 2:10 check May 20, 2017 Preston & Barbieri VR Coaster Mirabilandia  Italy Savio
check Titan VR Coaster Titan Sit-Down Coaster 1:20 823 check January 14, 2017 Sansei Technologies VR Coaster Selva Mágica  Mexico Guadalajara
☒ Galactic Attack: Mind Eraser Virtual Reality Coaster Mind Eraser Suspended Looping Coaster 1:36 689 check May 20, 2017 Vekoma VR Coaster Six Flags New England  United States Agawam
☒ Galactic Attack: Mind Eraser Virtual Reality Coaster Mind Eraser Suspended Looping Coaster 1:36 689 check May 20, 2017 Vekoma VR Coaster Six Flags America  United States Upper Marlboro
check Joyride Virtual Reality Coaster Joyride Sit-Down Coaster 1:15 280 check May 20, 2017 L&T Systems VR Coaster Powerland  Finland Kauhava
check French Revolution 2.0 VR French Revolution Sit-Down Coaster 1:45 check November 26, 2016 Vekoma VR Coaster Lotte World  South Korea Seoul
check Batman: Arkham Asylum VR Coaster Batman: Arkham Asylum Inverted Coaster 1:20 823 check May 20, 2017 Bolliger & Mabillard VR Coaster Parque Warner Madrid  Spain Madrid
check Steampunk Hunters Western-Expressen Sit-Down Coaster 1:15 335 check April 22, 2017[36] Vekoma VR Coaster Tusenfryd  Norway Vinterbro, Akershus
check Gletscherblitz Gletscherblitz Powered Coaster check March 24, 2018 Mack Rides VR Coaster Steinwasen Park  Germany Oberried, Baden-Württemberg
check Dream Catcher VR Dream Catcher Swinging Turns 2:44 600 check June 23, 2018 Vekoma VR Coaster Bobbejaanland  Belgium Lichtaart, Antwerp
check Eurosat Coastiality Eurosat - CanCan Coaster Indoor roller coaster 3:20 900 check September 13, 2018 Mack Rides MackMedia and VR Coaster Europa-Park  Germany Rust, Baden-Württemberg Coaster features separate stations for VR and non VR ride on the same roller coaster. VR riders enter the coaster train with VR headset already on.
check Den Hemmelige Verden Viktor Vandorm Sit-Down Coaster 750 check 2018 Zierer VR Coaster BonBon-Land  Denmark Holme-Olstrup, Sjælland
check Virtual Express Tibidabo Express Powered Coaster ☒ 2017 Zamperla VR Coaster Tibidabo  Spain Barcelona Similar film about "Schloss Balthasar" as at Europa-Park
check Crazy Bats Crazy Bats Enclosed roller coaster 4:00 1300 check June 25, 2019 Vekoma Ambient Entertainment Phantasialand  Germany Brühl Film about the three bats from the German film Monster Family
check Wilde Maus Wilde Maus XXL Wild Mouse 2:30 585 check Mack Rides VR Coaster Traveling  Germany
check VR Rollercoaster (高空VR过山车) VR Rollercoaster (高空VR过山车)[37] Junior Coaster 320 check 1996 Vekoma Oriental Pearl Tower  People's Republic of China Shanghai
check Hurricane 360 Hurricane 360 VR Youngstar Coaster 2:11 400 check Mack Rides Ambient Entertainment, DOF Robotics, VR Coaster and MackMedia Chimelong Paradise  People's Republic of China Guangzhou The same film which has formerly been used at Pegasus at Europa-Park

References

  1. ↑ "VR-Coaster wird zum Trend – in Europa und Übersee". Airtimers. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  2. ↑ "Espacenet - Bibliographic data". worldwide.espacenet.com. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  3. ↑ "Europa Park in Germany launches world's first VR Coaster". behind the thrills. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  4. ↑ MacDonald, Brady (17 September 2015). "Get ready for virtual reality coasters to become a real-world reality". La Times. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  5. ↑ Murphy, Mike (11 June 2016). "The future of fear: VR rollercoasters are coming". Quartz. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  6. ↑ Clark, Kristen (23 March 2016). "Virtual Reality Roller Coasters Are Here (and Everywhere)". IEEE Spectrum. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  7. ↑ "Oculus Rift VR Motion Sickness". Rift Info. 25 December 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  8. ↑ Pappas, Stephanie (20 April 2016). "Why Does Virtual Reality Make Some People Sick?". Live Science. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  9. ↑ Dent, Steve (29 August 2014). "Oculus Rift Turns Rollercoaster Into Virtual Shooter". Engadget. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  10. ↑ Janssen, Jan-Keno (18 September 2015). "Ausprobiert: Mit VR-Brille auf dem Kopf Achterbahn fahren". c´t. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  11. ↑ MacDonald, Brady (15 December 2015). "Virtual reality rides set to invade theme parks in 2016". La Times. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  12. ↑ Anstey, Tom (15 January 2016). "Universal debuts company's first VR coaster at Japanese park". Attractions Management. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  13. ↑ "The VR Coaster Team". VR Coaster GmbH & Co. KG. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  14. ↑ "Astral Vision". www.astral-v.com. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  15. ↑ Popper, Ben (15 June 2016). "Adding virtual reality to a roller coaster sounds dumb, but works amazingly well". The Verge. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  16. 1 2 Pitcher, Jenna (28 August 2014). "Oculus Rift Melds With a Real-Life Roller Coaster Ride". IGN. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  17. ↑ Levine, Arthur (24 March 2016). "Six Flags VR coasters: Watch how it works". USA Today. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  18. ↑ "Upgrade your Coaster". VR Coaster GmbH & Co. KG. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  19. ↑ Sheikh, Knvul (1 April 2016). "Are You Ready for America's 1st Virtual-Reality Roller Coasters?". Live Science. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  20. ↑ Clark, Patrick (24 May 2016). "Six Flags reinvents older roller coaster with new VR technology". FOX 2. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  21. ↑ Hamasaki, Sonya (1 April 2016). "Take a ride on a virtual reality roller coaster". CNN. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  22. ↑ Franco, Michael (25 May 2016). "Here's what it's like to ride a virtual reality roller coaster". Gizmag. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  23. ↑ "Superman The Ride VR Coaster Media Day Six Flags New England". Theme Park Review. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  24. ↑ "Alpenexpress Enzian - Europa Park (Rust, Baden Wuerttemberg, Germany)". rcdb.com (in German). Archived from the original on 2009-08-31. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
  25. ↑ epfans.info Team. "Offizieller Europa-Park Fanclub - Pressekonferenz/Premiere VR-Coaster Alpenexpress". www.epfans.de (in German). Retrieved 2016-02-12.
  26. ↑ "Virtual Reality | Mack Media". www.mackmedia.de. Archived from the original on 2016-01-09.
  27. ↑ "Thunder Run - Canada's Wonderland (Vaughan, Ontario, Canada)". rcdb.com (in German). Archived from the original on 2006-08-27. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
  28. 1 2 "Freedom Flyer - Fun Spot America (Orlando, Florida, USA)". rcdb.com (in German). Archived from the original on 2011-11-29. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
  29. ↑ "Kyary Pamyu Pamyu XR Ride - Universal Studios Japan (Osaka, Osaka, Japan)". rcdb.com (in German). Archived from the original on 2010-02-08. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
  30. ↑ "Universal Studios Japan Opens "Cool Japan"-Themed Attraction Set". Anime News Network (in German). Retrieved 2016-02-12.
  31. ↑ ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン公式 [@USJ_Official] (January 14, 2016). "明日スタート！【ユニバーサル・クールジャパン 2016】特命大使のきゃりーぱみゅぱみゅさんが開会宣言！世界に誇る5大ブランドのアトラクションがいよいよ登場！ #USJ" (Tweet) (in German). Retrieved 14 January 2016 – via Twitter.
  32. ↑ "Erlebnispark Schloss Thurn macht seine Achterbahn 2016 zum Virtual-Reality-Coaster". Parkerlebnis – Freizeitpark-Magazin (in German). Archived from the original on 2016-02-14. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
  33. ↑ "Galactica - Alton Towers (Alton, Staffordshire, England, UK)". rcdb.com (in German). Archived from the original on 2009-08-08. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
  34. ↑ "Bobbejaanland's VR Coaster Mount Mara and Immersive Storytelling" (in German). Archived from the original on 2016-04-14. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
  35. ↑ "Linnunrata eXtra – roller coaster". Linnanmäki (in German). Archived from the original on 2016-06-27. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
  36. ↑ "Steampunk Hunters". Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  37. ↑ VR Rollercoaster, RCDB. Retrieved 2021-10-03
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