Virtual Reality Avatars for Socially Distanced Haunted Attractions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The themed attraction industry, particularly haunted attractions, faces challenges in operating safely during pandemics due to the risk of viral transmission among scare actors and guests, and the inability to control the experience or appear scared in front of others.
Innovation Solution
The use of networked computer technology to create an immersive virtual reality or augmented reality environment where patrons can interact with actors' avatars in a socially distanced manner, allowing a single actor to manage multiple roles and locations within a themed attraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple scare actors are deployed in close proximity to entertain multiple guests, then the quality of interaction and scare effectiveness is improved, but the risk of viral transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual reality avatars as copies of scare actors to interact with guests. Instead of deploying multiple physical actors in close proximity, the system creates virtual representations that can be distributed across different physical locations, maintaining interaction quality while eliminating viral transmission risk through social distancing
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a virtual reality platform as an intermediary between scare actors and guests. This mediator allows actors to control avatars that interact with guests remotely, breaking the direct physical contact chain and enabling safe distance interaction while preserving the entertainment experience
2Productivity
If a single actor manages multiple roles and locations in a virtual environment, then productivity increases, but the complexity of operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scare actor interface is designed to be universal and multi-functional, allowing a single actor to control multiple avatars across different locations through one unified control system. This enables one actor to perform the work of multiple actors simultaneously by switching between or controlling multiple virtual representations from a single station
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automated assistance to actors through the virtual reality interface, which handles complex coordination tasks such as avatar positioning, interaction timing, and location management. This self-service capability reduces the operational burden on actors despite managing multiple roles, making the increased productivity achievable without proportionally increasing operational complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods according to present principles allow social distancing within themed attractions such as haunted attractions in order to allow the enjoyment of the same in various circumstances. These circumstances include times of pandemic, for customers that are afraid to congregate in large groups, for customers that desire to control aspects of the experience, and so on.