Mo-Cap and VR Experts Team Up to Create First VR Bumper Car

Qualisys and Holodeck VR create ride for Erlebnispark Schloss Thurn theme park that takes visitors beyond driving simulators and arcade games in an immersive Steampunk VR Scooter.     

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – Qualisys, a leading provider of motion capture technology and 3D tracking systems and VR experts HolodeckVR, have teamed up to develop the world’s first virtual reality bumper car. The attraction was unveiled this month at the Erlebnispark Schloss Thurn theme park in Nuremberg, Germany. Visitors are immersed in a wild west type arena while “riding” their Steampunk VR Scooter.

Qualisys has delivered a multi-camera Miqus mo-cap system for the vehicles, involving the low latency tracking of 80 targets with hundreds of markers in the volume. The company’s partnership with HolodeckVR solved a long-standing issue around how best to introduce mocap technology into VR attractions. The quality of Qualisys tracking systems, along with its unique “daisy-chain” camera set-up, means many cameras can be connected easily despite the complex and demanding environment of a large-scale VR experience.

HolodeckVR developed its Steampunk VR Scooter alongside German virtual reality ride specialist VR Coaster. Together they have taken interactive virtual reality to a totally new level. Steampunk is more exciting and more immersive than any driving simulator or arcade video game. The attraction makes use of all features that VR has to offer. The perceived speed of the vehicles is much faster than real bumper cars, the arena is much bigger, and it will lead the drivers past steep cliffs and giant abysses.

Guests will not only compete against each other, but also against giant robotic enemies that will confront the drivers. These can be defeated with teamwork and by taking advantage of the many extras and upgrades that can be picked up by players throughout the game.

Dr. Stephan Otto, co-founder of HolodeckVR, is excited about the launch, commenting, “The vision of VR bumper cars has been in our heads for a long time, and our tests from last year showed what is possible. Qualisys mocap technology was the missing piece in the jigsaw. With their support, Steampunk VR Scooter has become a reality and changed the traditional bumper cars experience forever.”

“This is a fantastic achievement for HolodeckVR, VR Coaster and everybody at Erlebnispark Schloss Thurn,” said Martin Holmberg, senior motion capture specialist at Qualisys. “We are delighted to be a part of this groundbreaking new technology, and it shows that Qualisys continues to make great strides in the entertainment and VR sectors.”

Source: Qualisys