Ultraleap’s ‘Virtual Touch’ Technology Continues to Engage at The Aquarium of the Pacific
Posted; November 19, 2020
19 November 2020 – Ultraleap and the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, have signed a five-year agreement to include Ultraleap’s ‘virtual touch’ technologies on a long-term basis.
The Aquarium’s Honda Pacific Visions Theater, the keystone project of the Pacific Visions wing, already features Ultraleap’s hand tracking and mid-air haptic technology. This new agreement solidifies and expands the relationship between these two organizations so that the virtual touch technology can continue to engage visitors for years to come.
The Pacific Visions wing opened in May 2019 and features a number of cutting-edge technologies to provide a truly multi-sensory experience for everyone, including those with disabilities.
The Honda Pacific Visions Theater is an immersive 4D theater within the wing, simulating the sights, smells, and sounds of the ocean. The Aquarium of the Pacific, Ultraleap and Cortina Productions worked together to create a multisensory film experience. Ultraleap’s technology, which uses ultrasound to create the sensation of touch in mid-air, allows users to feel (without touching anything) what is being shown on screen: a wave splash, the blades of a windmill rotating or foam bubbles bursting. This type of experience is highly engaging and rewarding for visitors with visual or hearing disabilities.
Saurabh Gupta, Director of OOH Product at Ultraleap, said: “The Honda Pacific Visions Theater at the Aquarium of the Pacific is state-of-the-art and we are so proud to be part of it. We are excited to be a part of this project that embraces inclusivity and can’t wait to see how the content evolves and where you may find ‘virtual touch’ experiences next.”
John Rouse, Aquarium of the Pacific’s Vice President of Operations, said: “We have had amazing feedback about Ultraleap’s virtual touch technology from our visitors. I’m pleased we can continue to secure it for visitors and explore future use cases of the touchless technology in the Aquarium.”
The Aquarium’s indoor areas, including Pacific Visions, are currently closed to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions.
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About Ultraleap
Ultraleap’s world-leading hand tracking and unrivalled mid-air haptic technologies allow you to engage with the digital world naturally - without touching surfaces. No touchscreens. No controllers. No keypads. From enhancing 2D screens to developing fully immersive 3D experiences, Ultraleap powers natural, safe and effortless digital interaction in the increasingly connected world.
Ultraleap employs more than 150 people across Europe, North America and Asia. It has become the first to offer the full vertical stack of software and hardware to enable spatial computing for the automotive, out of home, industrial, XR, entertainment and medical sectors.
About Aquarium of the Pacific
The nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific is a community gathering place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated and where important challenges facing our planet are explored by scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders in search of sustainable solutions. The Aquarium is dedicated to conserving and building nature and nature's services by building the interactions between and among peoples. Home to more than 12,000 animals, Aquarium exhibits include Shark Lagoon, the June Keyes Penguin Habitat, Lorikeet Forest, and the Molina Animal Care Center. Beyond its animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages, including lectures by leading scientists, through its Online Academy. The Aquarium offers memberships with unlimited FREE admission for 12 months, VIP Entrance, and other special benefits. Convenient parking is available for $8 with Aquarium validation. To learn more about the Aquarium and Pacific Visions, visit aquariumofpacific.org