哈利波特的互动魔杖：在主题乐园所应用的经验和技术

主题乐园究竟是不是一个技术和魔法交融的场所？通常主题乐园运用的最新技术大多是一个触摸屏、或者in-ride技术。不过，佛罗里达的环球影城哈利波特园区给了我们不一样的答案——哈利波特的互动魔杖！

Could theme parks be the place where technology and magic truly intersect? Often, discussions about technology focus on the latest themed app, a touch screen, or in-ride technology. But Universal Studios Florida has recently been recognized by the Themed Entertainment Association’s Thea Awards for their outstanding achievements in techn ology for the development of the interactive Harry Potter wands. And we’re excited about this technology, because it’s a beautiful example of how theme parks can use technology to bridge the gap between story and experience in themed attractions.

With the launch of Diagon Alley, Universal wanted to find a new way to draw guests into the environment. Creating a level of interactivity that played with a sense of magic was a natural fit. The interactive wands allow users to interact with the Harry Potter world, cast spells, and produce effects. Effects range from dramatic to subtle; examples include lighting a lantern, triggering a water fountain, or animating a window display in one of the Harry Potter shops. The wands work in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.

Universal began to retail replica wands in 2010 with the opening of Hogsmeade, but the addition of interactive features has taken this fan-favorite to the next level. The interactive wands cost about $10 more than the replica wands and are distinguished from the “regular” wands in a couple of ways. They’re slightly thicker and they have a small half-sphere at the wand’s tip. The sphere houses the sensor technology that triggers the effects.

Each of the areas where an effect takes place is marked by a gold medallion in the ground. Guests are also given a park map highlighting effect locations when they purchase the interactive wands. The medallions feature the specific motions guests need to complete with the wand, as well as a “magical phrase” that they should say along with it. (We’re not sure the phrases do anything, except add another level of fun!) All guests have to do is point the tip of their wand at the embedded sensor in the gold medallions, make the prescribed motion, and enjoy the effect. Diago n Alley currently has 16 locations and the Hogsmeade area has nine. It’s unknown whether more will be added in the future but seems likely.

The technology itself seems to be an infrared sensor technology. The reflective bead at the end of the wands is pointed at the embedded sensor. Guests need to make a specific two or three part motion. Once they get it right, the sensor reads the motion and the effect kicks into gear.

As the THEA committee summed it up, “Within the land is a surprising array of innovat ive, interactive wand experiences that allow guests to say a spell, gesture their wand a specific way to accompany that spell and watch – if they get it right! – as the results of their magic are seen in display windows, on the streets of Diagon Alley, in magical illusions and more throughout the environment. The uniquely devised and ingeniously applied, proprietary wand technology is the key. The end result is an “invisible” technology that engages guests and activates the land in a whole new way. The Thea Nominating Committee found this to be an impressive technology, impressively used.”

It’s easy to get lost in the dizzying technology that drives the wands. But even the retail experience of purchasing one is part of the story. To purchase a wand, guests can visit multiple