Steampunk VR Scooter

Erlebnispark Schloss Thurn
Heroldsbach, Germany

Erlebnispark Schloss Thurn debuted its “Steampunk VR Scooter,” a ride that combines classic bumper cars with virtual reality (VR) technology and a sci-fi spin. Riders plunge into an inventive world that mixes Wild West style with retro-futuristic steam engines. Guests compete with each other and dodge giant robots in an arena that defies the laws of gravity. Drivers can beat the robotic monsters through teamwork and by picking up upgrades throughout the game. 

“VR makes the entire ride appear much bigger and speeds feel much faster. Even our own vehicles are scaled up. We can integrate amazing effects that wouldn’t be possible in the real world, like driving up walls,” says Thomas Wagner, co-founder and CEO of VR Coaster. 

“With innovative attractions like this, we keep up with cutting-edge entertainment technology and ensure a great future for our tradition-rich theme park,” says park owner Benedikt Graf Bentzel.

VR Coaster joined forces with Erlebnispark Schloss Thurn and Holodeck VR to launch the neo-vintage ride. Qualisys provided a multicamera Miqus motion-capture (mocap) system for the vehicles, facilitating the VR experience.

The team achieved “such precise tracking of all scooters that you’re convinced that you’re driving your own fantastic vehicle in the VR world,” says Wagner. “We have also put a lot of thought into operations to ensure high capacity, smooth throughput, and safety.”

There is the possibility to refresh the ride in future, he explains. “It just needs an updating of the software application on the heads