Using Oculus Rift technology, viewers are immersed into British Columbia’s winter sports via interactive 3-D video. (William Au/Destination BC)
Vivid virtual experiences are infiltrating the ski industry with action-packed applications in resort marketing, athlete and instructor training, and even ski gear.
VR marketing
Instead of researching reviews, consumers will increasingly be able to sample ski resorts virtually to verify vacation options. Leading the way in North America is Destination BC, Canada, which launched The Wild Within VR Experience in 2014. Using Oculus Rift technology, it immersed viewers into British Columbia’s winter sports via interactive 3-D video.
The cutting-edge campaign aimed to enhance brand awareness to trade, media and consumers through lifelike appreciation of the province’s peaks from desk or couch.
“Since Destination BC began using VR, the technology has been embraced by consumers and industry as environmentally friendly, effective, immersive and fun — and is becoming a part of the travel landscape,” says Maya Lange, president of global marketing for Destination BC. “For example, VR was just used in three flight centers in Australia to promote ‘dream destinations,’ including BC.”
,
,
Oakley and Smith Optics already have AR goggles on the market with direct-to-eye Recon HD displays that project information several feet away without obstructing vision. RideOn Vision has perfected software that shows speed, distance, vertical drop, navigation, friend tracking, games, challenges, camera and video capability and smartphone connectivity. Based in Israel, RideOn uses defense technology to enhance its software.
“We are a team of Israeli F-16 pilots who want to bring this technology to the consumer market and share this awesome experience with the rest of the world,” says COO Tomer Cohen. The company has been working on real-time assistive techniques in order to alert users of upcoming dangers on the slopes.
“We intend to create a technology that will allow people to improve their experience with sport-related activities,” says Cohen. “On top of this, thanks to our RideOn connected community feature, all sports will become a more social experience.”
Source: Dallas News