When you think of examples of how real-life activities, social gatherings and events of all sizes can utilise immersive technologies, be it virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) or mixed reality (MR) one of the places you wouldn’t necessarily think of is a flower show.
Despite that, VR did turn up as a part of last year’s Chelsea Flower Show in the UK. With civil engineering contractor BAM Nuttall partnering with the Royal Horticultural Society to scan and create a virtual walkthrough of inside the Great Pavilion using Matterport cameras and software. Now another flower show over in America is set to feature not VR but AR – the Philadelphia Flower Show.
The experience is set to be a part of a ‘block party’ traveling exhibition that first appeared at the flower show last year and is set to return, revamped, to begin its tour anew for 2018. The event, which is run by the American Association of Retired Persons – better known by the abbreviation AARP – will feature a number of different interactive components. A mix of four items, some which are familiar from the Block Party last year along with what the AARP termed “a few new tricks up our sleeve”.
What the AR experience will actually be is somewhat vague, no product names being dropped or similar. Instead it is described as “unique” and “an enhanced version of reality where the attendees will use an iPad to view and interact with 3D computer images of an animated game aimed at a wall of the exhibit”. Other features at the event will include a social media powered art mosaic, whilst the AARP will also be donating $5,000 (USD) to the William Way LGBT Community Center at the event to help it continue promoting equality in ‘the city of brotherly love’.
The event will take place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on 12th & Arch Streets in Philadelphia, from Saturday March 10th to Sunday March 11th 2018. The 2018 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show itself runs from March 3rd until the 11th and tickets and more information can be found on the AARP website.
VRFocus will bring you news of more quirky places where immersive technology is popping up very soon.
via Mint VR