Ballast VR offers virtual reality for waterparks and resorts. They created a waterproof VR headset that enables locations to turn waterslides and pools into next-gen attractions. For locations with waterslides, Ballast comes in and measures how guests speed through different sections. They then create custom content that maps guest velocity, and augment that with sensors in locations where data from different riders is inconsistent. This approach maximizes user comfort over a broad and diverse user set. They have six waterslide content offerings, each adding a level of immersion and entertainment that goes way beyond staring at the inside of a tube. They’re also creating custom content to fit specific themes and integrating support for music. And at IAAPA they will showing new interactive gameplay modes, where guests will play for high scores while sliding. Waterslides are inherently fun though, so you’ll need to be confident that your customer base will pay the extra fee for a VR experience down the slide. With the increasing media around VR and the metaverse, the VRSlide® is something worth considering.
What’s more interesting is their DIVR product, which won a VR Bobble in 2019. DIVR takes an ordinary swimming pool and turns it into a VR snorkeling attraction. It uses the weightlessness of floating in the water to create an unparalleled VR experience. Guests don a snorkel and mask, but instead of a see-through lens, it’s a waterproof VR headset. You can snorkel through the lost city of Atlantis, or float in space above the International Space Station. The experience of floating in space was transcendent for me.
Ballast also offers a version called DIVR+ with a sensory device that looks and feels like an underwater sea scooter. It mounts to the side of a shallow pool, cavitates, and emits bubbles, creating a real sensation of movement through the water. It’s one of the most realistic virtual experiences I’ve done. Ballast VR is a unique product for a specific market. It’s been installed at Kalahari Resorts, Welk Resorts, and even Space Camp in Alabama. The opportunity of generating additional revenue from an under-monetized amenity like a pool sounds too good to be true. But it’s not. Locations report ROI in under six months with DIVR.