Mario Kart Augmented Reality Themed Ride Technology Osaka, Japan
Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement Technical Innovation This innovative design and engineering solution integrates an in-house prototyped AR (augmented reality) headmounted-display solution and head tracking system with facility-side media control and cloud gaming. It was developed to fulfill the vision of immersing guests into the world of the Mario Kart game at Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Japan. This breakthrough AR technology enables a novel, guest-immersive, game playing experience to come to life within the practical realm of themed ride entertainment. It allows for video game world characters to be seen moving at terrific speeds through dimensional, scenic environments and to interact with projection-mapped video media. In addition, each four-passenger ride KART allows for individual guest interaction with the characters.
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More than 20 patents have already been granted to numerous components. The Universal Advanced Technology Group had to innovate multiple technological and operational solutions in-house and to coordinate the efforts of numerous global vendors. Principal in this effort was the design and prototyping of a robust headset and game engine solution that would stand up to and satisfy the rigors of high-capacity, theme park operation. A two-piece design was developed to facilitate cleaning, while also providing the tethered Electro-Optical packaged “Racing Goggles” central to the AR experience. With head tracking technology, cloud gaming service for interaction with players’ mobile phones to check their scores, specialized software to support player interactions, and enlarged field-of-view and image resolution, all elements combine to put guests in the middle of the race to compete with classic Nintendo characters.