March 2008: April 5th, 2008 sees the exciting addition of a brand new attraction at Futuroscope, France. The Future is Wild, based in a specially constructed theatre, is a speculative documentary targeted at a broad family audience. The aim is to look at how the world may develop - in �Walking with Dinosaurs fashion� � over five million, one hundred million and two hundred million years. This is where popular culture meets high science, coming to life on screen using the very latest computer imaging technology. In essence, The Future is Wild makes an important contribution to the global debate on climate change, ecology, bio-diversity and evolution.
The Future is Wild is the first experience to combine the advanced technology of augmented reality with a scientific look at how species could evolve far in the future. Futuroscope�s visitors will be able to take part in a ground-breaking, interactive safari, mingling with 3D creatures in their natural environment and playing an active role in a world that is both reality and virtual reality.
Ride into the Future
Once visitors pass through the doors of the brand new theatre built especially for The Future is Wild, visitors enter the futuristic laboratory giving them a foretaste of the journey ahead prior to boarding. On screen, a famous French TV presenter, Jamy Gourmaud, explains how our planet might evolve and how evolution works and describes the strange creatures that the visitors will see including; the massive ganetwhale seabird with its 10-ft-long wingspan; the amazing rattleback rodent coated in protective scales; the reef glider, which is descended from sea slugs; and the little poggle in its thick coat of fur.
Explorers climb aboard the expedition vehicles, wearing augmented-reality binoculars and sensor bracelets, for a journey through the scenery portraying a series of possible future environments. As visitors travel the four zones � across the desert, through the swamp valley, along the bed of the vast global ocean and the floor of the tropical rainforest � our visitors watch as animals that could be inhabiting the planet in 5 million, 100 million or 200 million years from now burst into view in 3D, and then spring into action when they reach out to touch and interact with them. Reality and virtual reality combine to blur the boundaries that separate them. Jamy Gourmaud explains the scenes and teaches us about the various animals we come across.
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is a means of controlling virtual 3D objects within a real environment. A camera integrated into the visitors� binoculars films the backdrop of each sequence in front of them. A computer then adds the virtual 3D animals to the film in real time. The filmed sequence and the added creatures are immediately transmitted back on to the binocular viewing screens, giving visitors the vivid impression that they are watching real-life action. The motion sensor system lets them interact directly with the animals.
The result of this perfect blend of reality and virtuality, added to the real-time interaction with the filmed scenes, is to expand the viewers� perception of reality: the result is augmented reality. This ground-breaking process allows us to unite the real world and the virtual world and to immerse viewers in totally new experiences.
Augmented-reality technology removes the need for an interface (screen) between viewer and image. The technology totally re-examines the role of the viewer, immersing him in a concocted environment of reality and virtuality.
Interactivity
By importing virtual 3D and animated objects, augmented reality alters our perception of the real world. We move from being spectators watching images to participants, interacting directly and in real time with these creatures that have been seamlessly assimilated into our environment.
To achieve this, visitors are provided with binoculars and sensor bracelets that communicate with the augmented-reality system in their carriage. The binoculars project images that are not there: animals that could well have evolved to inhabit the Earth millions of years from now. The sensor bracelet brings the animals to life. This equipment is the conduit for an �augmented� reality.
Spatial Coherence
The perspective of the animated virtual creatures matches real-world perspective. The animals blend in seamlessly with the real-world images in the viewers� eyes. The illusion that both worlds are co-existing is whole, with viewers unable to distinguish between real objects and virtual objects.
Augmented reality enhances the real world but does not replace it. From its origins in research and as a military and scientific application, augmented reality now, and for the first time in the world, enters the field of entertainment.
Note to Editors: Futuroscope, near Poitiers in the Poitou-Charentes region of France, opened to the public in June 1987 with the aim to �harness the future�. Since it opened, the park has welcomed over 35 million visitors, making it the second largest leisure park in France. It is substantially different from any other �theme park� as it is based on the visual and the senses, thus appealing to a very wide audience of all age groups.
For further information on all of the above, visit: www.futuroscope.com.
For more information contact:
Magellan PR on Tel: 020 8875 2850
Email: [email protected]