Virtual reality is giving roller coasters a new twist

Aug 21, 2018

Locals ride the Scenic Railway rollercoaster during a media preview at Dreamland in Margate, Britain, October 15, 2015. Britain's oldest rollercoaster Scenic Railway reopens for public on Friday. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

It will soon become the norm to enjoy a new VR spin on an old roller coaster favourite. Image: REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

Candice Louw

Post-doctoral Researcher in Software Engineering Applications for Business Digitalisation, Department of Business Management, University of Johannesburg

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Virtual and Augmented Reality

The now-defunct Cobra, in Cape Town, South Africa.

Image: Candice Louw

Image: Statista

IAAPA 2017 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, USA.

Image: Candice Louw

VR impact on the European steel roller coaster industry in 2017.

Image: Research by Candice Louw & Brenda Lotriet Louw (2017) published in African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure

Image: Candice Louw

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SeaWorld’s traditional (left) and VR enhanced (right) roller coaster advertisements at Orlando International airport.

Image: Candice Louw

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