Synthesis VR Collaboration with Spark XR
WHAT IF YOU COULD TRAVEL – WITHOUR ACTUALLY TRAVELING?
Innovative ‘teleportation’ technology enhanced through use of Synthesis VR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9th, 2021: Spark XR, Inc., has announced a new immersive technology platform, a ‘Sensory Reality Pod’, in which users stand inside and are virtually ‘teleported’ to an interactive virtual destination. The Pod has application in the entertainment, training, tourism, education, sports, event, and simulation industries. By partnering with Synthesis VR, Spark XR were able to quickly add a booking tool and user queue management system to the Pod itself.
“We wanted the ability for users to self-serve and book time in the Pods”, said Jon Dean, CEO of Spark XR, “in addition to being able to manage customers, and make throughput easy for our attendants. Synthesis VR quickly adapted their powerful suite of tools to suit our specific needs. We couldn’t be happier with the support we have received and our partnership”.
“I’m excited to see how Spark XR’s Sensory Reality Pod takes shape in the various VR industries and help businesses provide an innovative solution for their customers”., said Synthesis VR’s CEO, A Shabeer Sinnalebbe. “Seeing what Spark XR was able to achieve with the Synthesis VR sandbox platform, we could not have been happier with the results”.
Spark XR Sensory Pods
What sets the Spark XR Pod aside from other virtual reality technologies, is the inclusion of 360-degree sensory effects, including wind and haptic effects that surround the user, making the resulting immersion incredibly realistic.
The Pod also takes up a small footprint, less than 10 feet by 8 feet, allowing high-quality virtual experiences previously only available in large arena-style spaces. As such the Pod is ideal for locations such as shopping malls, airport gates, family entertainment centers, movie theaters, museums, trade shows and more.
Synthesis VR Seamless Integration
The outside of the Pod includes a touch screen, where users sign-up for time in the Pod. Here they create an account, choose a language, sign a waiver, and choose a time slot. It’s quick and easy and is a seamless integration into the overall experience.
Once a user has made a booking, the Synthesis VR technology adds the user to a queue, which is then available on a tablet for an attendant to manage. At the appropriate time, the attendant can start, stop, or restart that user’s experience from the tablet.
Jeff Peters, COO at Spark XR, commented: “When the experience begins, Synthesis VR tells the Pod which application the user chose, which language, and sets up the user’s Pod experience accordingly. There is no messy setup UX for the user to have to navigate, making the immersion deeper and more believable from the very start”.
AlUla Adventures Virtual Travel Experience
The first commercial release to use the new Spark XR Sensory Reality Pod is called ‘AlUla Adventures’, created by Spark XR in collaboration with Manga Productions, the leading content creation company in Saudi Arabia. AlUla Adventures is a sensory virtual travel experience that ‘teleports’ users to a UNESCO World Heritage Site in AlUla. The user’s mission is to explore the AlUla area and discover hidden artifacts while outrunning a sandstorm! Even though users always stand still, the unique sensory technology provides the sensation that they are moving – at times driving, floating, and flying – they really do feel the wind in their face!
"We are proud to showcase our partnership with SparkXR through the release of AlUla Adventures”, said Dr. Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions. He continued, "We believe in the importance of investing and producing projects using the latest technologies within interactive digital arts. Through Manga Productions, we ensured to provide internship opportunities to Saudi talents as we believe it is the future of the entertainment and videogame industry.”
At the end of the experience, users receive an email - using the address collected through Synthesis VR and the virtual items collected during the experience. The email contains a link to the journal the user created on their AlUla adventure, allowing them to review all the artifacts collected – and once again discover the remarkable heritage of this incredible region, proving the value of the virtual travel experience.
“AlUla Adventures demonstrates the potential for virtual travel, allowing users to travel without actually traveling! You could experience multiple destinations and decide which you might like to visit for real”., said Jon Dean, “Better yet, we could offer time travel and the chance to experience a destination at a period in the past or even the future!”.
Eng. Abdullah Konash, producer at Manga Productions, also commented on the partnerships, saying, "It's been a pleasure leading the collaboration between Manga Productions and Spark XR in this amazing development adventure, spearheading technological advancements in the Game Industry. To achieve authenticity in the experience, the team researched the area extensively to capture its wonders, making you feel like you are there."
Media
- Pictures of the Spark XR Sensory Reality Pod, Synthesis VR tools used by the Pod, screenshots of the AlUla Adventures Experience
- Feedback from users talking about what it feels like to be virtually ‘teleported’ in AlUla Adventures
- Manga Productions media promoting AlUla Adventures – link here, video from launch event here
- AlUla Adventures website – more details - https://www.alulaadventures.com/
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About Synthesis VR
Synthesis VR is a location management and content licensing platform that provides a complete solution for locations to manage their daily operations, take online, phone and walk in reservations, create and manage various VR experiences and custom tools to suit any business need.
For more information, please visit https://www.synthesisvr.com
About Spark XR
We’re developing the next generation of location-based entertainment that will blur the lines between film and video games. Awesome experiences that make emotional connections with consumers. We make custom experiences for museums, events, esports, brands, games, tourism, networked training, simulation, and more as we deliver on social, replayable content driving repeat business and revenues.
For more information please visit: https://www.sparkxr.com
About Manga Productions
Established in 2017, Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the MiSK Foundation, is dedicated to cultivating international and domestic opportunities in learning and
leadership for youth in the Middle East by identifying and spearheading opportunities in the entertainment sector including video games, comics, and feature animation.
Through collaboration with other organizations, Manga Productions aims to join efforts in developing a diverse economy, retaining cultural heritage, and promoting health and
wellness. Manga Productions has previously partnered with local and international entities such as TOEI Animations, SNK, Square Enix, WildWorks, SparkXR, and Sumitomo.
For more information about Manga Productions, please visit www.manga.com.sa