Consumer Electronics
Go Behind the Scenes of a Virtual Reality Roller Coaster
On Galactica, a real-world “flying” roller coaster meets Samsung’s Gear VR, creating virtual reality with actual g-forces
11 Apr 2016
On the Galactica roller coaster, riders strap on virtual reality goggles that transport them out of the English countryside and into another galaxy. But while the visuals may be sci-fi, the physical experience is the real deal. IEEE Spectrum took a test ride at the Alton Towers theme park in the U.K. and flew Superman-style around an 840-meter track, reaching 75 kilometers per hour and 3.5 g’s—more force than an astronaut feels during a rocket launch.
We also caught up with Simon Reveley, whose company Figment Productions was responsible for reimagining the coaster as a VR ride.
Read More: Virtual Reality Roller Coasters Are Here (and Everywhere)