The theme park Alton Towers from the United Kingdom has announced that it will soon open the first virtual reality roller coaster ride.
According to Galactica Tours, the new attraction will allow users boarding carriages to wear special virtual reality (VR) goggles. The roller coaster carriages will position passengers seated but face down, in order to replicate the feeling of flying. According to Galactica Tours, this new roller coaster is a rebranding of an older ride called "Air."
Among the challenges that might be faced by the daring users of the new virtual reality roller coaster ride includes, of course, motion sickness. According to Engadget, Alton Towers have solved this issue by using special sensors that will ensure perfect synchronization of the simulation with the ride.
To date, there have been other virtual reality simulations of roller coasters and rides; some of them even adding some physical components in order to enhance the experience. However, this new adventure has the particularity that it will make users lie with their face down and feel like flying.
The virtual reality simulation will allow its users to experience an exciting journey through the galaxy. They will fly through the Great Orion Nebula, across lava lakes on Nero 5, clouds and frozen landscapes on Kepler 9. The passengers of the adventure virtual reality ride will "even witness the birth of a new star." The tour will be short, despite these grand destinations. According to BBC News, the tour itself will be short, lasting only 189 seconds.
A custom VR rig will ensure customers will not be bothered by the pair of bulky goggles and the body movement of the passengers will be limited by shoulder straps. Riders will have the option of wearing the headsets or just experience a regular roller coaster ride in real life.
Galactica is scheduled to open its new virtual reality roller coaster in the Alton Towers theme park next April.
