San Francisco, CA, March 26, 2019 –(PR.com)– Sub Sea Systems®, a world leader in innovative products for the marine tourism industry, and San Francisco tech firm, Ballast Technology, Inc., have partnered to introduce Deep Dive VR, an underwater virtual dive experience.
Deep Dive VR combines realistic virtual reality content, a waterproof VR headset with audio, and multiple in-water sensory effects for an enhanced tactile experience. Up to ten participants at a time step down into an acrylic aquarium (3 ft. deep) and position themselves at individual stations. Once fitted with a VR headset, snorkel, and flotation belt, each participant grasps handles located on a thruster unit directly in front of them. The participant’s body naturally floats into a comfortable, prone position in the water (aided by the floatation belt). Almost immediately, the participants are transported into a stunning, 3D virtual reality world, combining sight, sound, and tactile senses.
The in-water thrusters constantly respond to visual queues, to reinforce the realism of the experience. Vibrations, streams, pulses of water at varying speeds, and air bubbles propelled by the thruster and rising from the floor pass over the participant’s body. These sensations are timed in perfect unison with the visual and audio content. A gentle flow of water simulates the virtual diver as he glides alongside a graceful sea turtle, and soft bubbles are released as he passes over thermal vents. A fast rush of water accompanies a school of playful dolphins, providing a sense of movement. The virtual diver even experiences the sensation of corkscrew turns, while zipping past coral reefs and sunken shipwrecks.
A library of high-quality VR content is being created to provide new and exciting experiences– from coral reef dives to shark encounters, an arctic plunge with penguins and polar bears, and even an out-of-this-world space adventure.
Deep Dive VR is a fully self-contained system that is delivered in two segments and installed within a matter of days. The system is designed for installation at water parks and destinations where guests are ready to get wet. The system’s configuration is scalable to fit within any given space or market demand.
About the Companies:
Since 1985, Sub Sea Systems has developed unique aquatic products that are in use at popular tourist destinations around the world. The company constructed more than a dozen semi-submersibles and submersible vessels, created the Sea TREK® helmet diving program, produces the solar-electrically powered catamaran—FunCat®, created Clear Lounge®, underwater oxygen bar and introduced the award-winning underwater driving experience – Aquaticar™.
Ballast Technologies is the leading provider of aquatic virtual reality solutions. Ballast’s premier product, VRSlide, was the world’s first virtual reality system for water slides. The company continues to immerse guests in worlds that take advantage of sound, tactile sensation, vibration, zero gravity and the many other amazing properties of water.
Source: Sub Sea Systems® and Ballast Technology, Inc. Introduce New VR Dive System
