KingRCT3

Figment Production has a website and they talk about VR coasters here. Vector VR is Figment’s own motion synchronisation and control platform for virtual reality. Primarily, its uses are in theme parks and other visitor attractions, but in some circumstances ambitious live events might also benefit from Vector VR. Vector is based on an idea that originally saw us strapping mobile phones to our chests and whizzing around the studio on wheelie chairs. Before long we were lucky enough to test our fledgling system on a real, first class rollercoaster and now it has matured into the world’s first fully realised VR motion-sync system that delivers on real-world operational requirements. That means delivering solutions to ensure safety, address hygiene concerns, maintain throughput, and deliver an amazing guest experience at a realistic cost. We are proud to announce that our first public Vector VR project is Galactica at Alton Towers. (The creative work for Galactica was developed through our long-standing relationship with Merlin Magic Making and we worked closely with the amazing Alton Towers team on the technical implementation). Whilst its first application has been on rollercoasters, Vector isn’t limited to coasters. It can be used on any vehicle that follows a fixed/predictable path: Rollercoasters AGVs (Automated Ground Vehicles) Simulators Pirate Ships (it’s a theme park thing) Drop Towers Entertainment Robots. The control system architecture also enables us to operate individual and group controls for synchronised playback in: Live Events Virtual Reality Theatres. From day one, our vision for Vector included two key features: to be mechanically independent of the ride and to use the same sensor for ‘recording and playback’. What does that mean? A recent example explains this best… We were asked to create demo for a new client, so we put a sensor into our hand luggage and jumped on a plane. Within an hour of being in the theme park we had mapped the rollercoaster with our control sensor – the same sensor that could be used just hours later to give the client a live proof-of-concept with a demo scene in a VR headset. Below is a simplified list of Vector’s key features, including the extras we’ve developed to enable a full operational roll-out. - Mechanical independence from the ride vehicle - Each rider’s control sensor includes a touch-screen, enabling hosts to modify the rider’s experience - The control sensor can be fitted to the ride in an IP rated, custom-made box, or be mobile and independent of the ride vehicle. It can even be carried in a back-pack, so guests can have a separate VR experience pre and post ride - High quality media playback featuring graphics which go well beyond traditional game-style visuals - Individual rider control including subtitles, audio description and audio levels etc. via control pack touch-screen - System-wide rider control including transmission of customised messages to individual riders via control room tablets - Key safety features including custom head-straps, harnesses and tethers which keep guests safe on and off the ride - Custom engineered hygiene solutions - Battery packs enabling up to a full day of operation for every headset - Off-ride charging solutions including bespoke powered cases for large numbers of batteries - Off-ride storage solutions for headsets with built-in charging capabilities.

^ The train in the video is clearly a PTC-like with two rows per car. Go on Youtube and at 0.25 and you'll see.Although I do definitely think the hint was GCI indeed. once had one. See toward the end of the POV.

I rode the Skyfall, which was the very first Funtime freefall, and that wasn't bad at all, I'd say on par with an Intamin.

"Think of them as stocking stuffers" What can it means...?

It does have a big cylinder at the bottom of the drop: But a cable lift, just as everything that involve a cable (-> hydraulic launches), needs to form a closed loop in order to have a proper tension. In this picture you can see the return mechanism: The red pulley is on a rolling trolley and have a cylinder attached to it. This is what gives the tension to the cable. I don't know if it's dynamic or static, but on some coasters you can see it dampen whenever a train catches the lift (a chain lift needs tension as well, so you have similar mechanisms: Usually a counterweight on B&M, and a spring on Vekoma for instance). The white pulley deviates the cable and sends it into the trench, back to the motor room. (Both pictures from this trip-report.)

^ This pic is missing the dudes selling little Eiffel Towers, though.

Hahaha that was really funny. Although I bet this happens in real life too, when designers find their creation having an ugly color scheme or theme.

Yeah, the cable for the cable lift seems to go down to the motor room as usual, but instead of going straight back to the start of the lift (red arrows), it goes up again in order to go over the road. Still the same pic from dubaidave

The only grip I have with the lift hill is those maintenance plateforms that break the purity of the design. I'd love to see it like this: (Original picture by dubaidave) But hey, when you're nitpicking about such details, you know the coaster is already so damn fine.

Ummm, nope.

^ It'll go through the glass panel, they still have to cut a hole in it. Dubaidave, thanks for the pictures! The lift is seriously gorgeous.

^ Ha, thanks for the clarification!

I'm gonna miss the song from Animagique! And the way there were random noises going all around the room while you were waiting for the show.

I rode this coaster, a medium Pinfari, and it has absolutely no restraints, seatbelts, or wraparound car body. It was just a couch on wheels! (kinda like that wooden at Blackpool, but I haven't rode that one) Luna Park Argeles, France -- Now if I could ride one ride without restraints, a stand-up could be fun! Just a grab bar in front of you but nothing else.

Thanks for the article, and yup, Stakotra is based in Slovakia (with production facility in Hungary).

There were rumors about a VR experience on Air and I think this pretty much confirms it.

I see why people compare those two things, and sure they look the same. But actually, the whole concept of the smaller version is to keep your "heartline" as we would say, in place. While the Tourbillon is just like "Screw this, I'll move you all around". So in the end, those are very different.

Tourbillon is now open to the public in the Great Europen Carnival at Hong Kong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAi_OlXlUHo

According to these photos, the next thing to happen is a pretzel loop... right around the Jurassic Park entrance arch! Source : made_in_USJ via Coasterfriends.

The only differences I see is that the edge of bar has a more pronunced curve on Flying Aces than on Skyrush (red line), and that the inside hole had a curve on Flying Aces while it's flat on Skyrush (green line). I don't see any difference on the seat itself, though.

^ Well, I won't be so confident. It took B&M time to improve their wing coaster vest restraints, or the second, third, etc GIB doesn't work any better than the first one. That's related. Sure it's the g forces that pushes the bar down, but it's up to the hydraulic device to prevent that. I didn't know some ride released their lap-bars a tiny bit on the brake run. Definitely a interesting feature, I would love to hear more about it.

I haven't rode Skyrush but I rode Altaïr 3/4 times in a row thanks to an ERT, and I had only a slight discomfort due to the lap-bar, but nothing major. I was more bothered by the vibrations and by the fact I was really getting nauseous after these laps!

Mack overhead lap-bars are really comfy indeed, but the funny thing is that those on Intamin 10 inversions coasters are also really good. I haven't rode Skyrush but I heard a lot of bad things about them. (coasterfriends.de)

It does not feel very Disney-ish but hey, it's already alot better than Marne-la-Vallée train station (DLP)! In another news, from Themeparx we got this map with future expansions, and surprise, who's there? (Themeparx via Ameworld) Expedition Everest clone! If it means a fully working Yeti, I'm so hyped!

You might be a Theme Park nerd when you want to buy an Extrait de Parfum that smells like... Water dark rides! Watch the epic trailer I thought it was only a joke... But, no, you can really buy it on Xyrena.com for $64.00.