Alterface Projects is continuing to advance the potential of interactive technology in the dark ride environment, working on both gesture-led technologies and its “magic” wand, which work with the company’s Come To Life sceneries.

The gesture sensor technology allows ride designers to create device-free scenarios, where guests don’t have to interact with the game using a gun-style device, but can control their role in the ride experience with simple arm and hand movements.

“For the past 15 years, most interactive attractions have been using the traditional gun-shaped devices,” said Alterface marketing manager Guillaume Gallant.

“Now, to interact with the surrounding scenery and media content, all the user has to do is to move their hand above the sensor in front of their seat. This system calls for never-seen-before gestures and gameplay action, and provides a surprising magical feel.”

The second new concept under development with Alterface offers masses of possibilities for designers. Alterface’s Magic Wand is an intuitive wireless, button-free device that can be used with Come To Life scenery, a mixture of video projection mapping with physical set props.

“This new interactive device offers the most intuitive gameplay: just point at the objects in the Come To Life scenery – whether physical or media objects – and the wand activates the on-set response. Aim at a window and it breaks in pieces; aim at a frame and the painting comes alive,” Gallant says.

This means guests can interact with videos projected onto real objects, which animate the scenery and respond as targets. When the guest targets an object or piece of media projected onto the scenery, it is programmed with Salto software to produce an audiovisual reaction. Alterface’s gesture tech will also be compatible with Come To Life installations.

Because there is little or no hardware involved, these new technologies have the added benefit of being affordable and easy to maintain, the company says.