Virtual reality swings bring thrilling free flight experience to Newcastle-under-Lyme
You'll be able to sit on a swing, put on a VR headset and launch into a choice of four fantastical flying adventures.
Visitors to Newcastle town centre can experience the thrill of flight in a ground-breaking free virtual reality (VR) installation next week.
‘Volo: Dreams of Flight’, created by Studio Go Go and presented by Appetite in collaboration with Newcastle-under-Lyme BID, will offer a unique and immersive experience which is open to people of all ages and abilities.
The free event, taking place outside the Guildhall on March 21 and 22, will allow participants to sit on a swing, put on a VR headset and launch into a choice of four fantastical flying adventures.
Inspired by the visionary ideas of Leonardo da Vinci, the experiences include soaring like a bird or being shot into space in a cannonball. Other options include gliding over an extra-terrestrial landscape or experiencing a psychedelic world in an early form of helicopter.
As the swing moves, the VR simulation responds, creating the sensation of flying through different worlds. The experience is designed to be exhilarating and accessible, with a platform swing available for wheelchair users.
Each ride lasts around two minutes and no booking is required. The installation will be in place from 10:30am to 4:30pm on Friday, March 21, and from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, March 22.
As well as soaring through virtual skies, visitors to Newcastle can enjoy another Appetite project, We Are Here, until the end of the month, featuring paintings by artist Ian Mood displayed on location in Anasma Greek Bakery, Piccoloco and Mellards Bar.
Appetite general manager Heather Dowler said: “At Appetite we love to bring sparkling and unusual magic to the area, and we can’t wait for people to experience flying over these amazing, other-worldly landscapes in the town centre.”
Studio Go Go director Brendan Walker, who has worked on rides and attractions for Alton Towers and Disneyland Paris, added: “It works by taking the sensations of being on a swing where you feel light and then heavy, light and then heavy, as you swing back and forth. We take those motions that your body's feeling and make your brain think that they're the result of doing something quite different.
“Very quickly you start to see people screaming, laughing and having a great time. It's a great spectator sport as well - everybody loves watching people scream and shout - so come along and take part. We'd love to know what you think of these rides because this is the future of entertainment.”
