WASHINGTON — Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro, Maryland is among nine Six Flags parks getting virtual reality roller coasters this year.
Six Flags partnered with Samsung Electronics America, Inc. to develop the VR roller coasters — the first of its kind in North America.
Riders will ride actual roller coasters — in Six Flags America’s case, the Superman — Ride of Steel — and wear VR goggles made by Samsung, which use gyros, accelerometers and proximity sensors to synchronize the VR scenery with the ups, downs, twists and turns of the roller coaster.
“Now, people can be immersed into a totally new universe while riding a roller coaster,” said Samsung Electronics America chief marketing officer Marc Mathieu.
“This transforms the modern roller coaster into a totally new, one of a kind sensorial experience powered by technology.”
The virtual reality worlds will match the theme of each roller coaster. At Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro, it will be a Superman-themed virtual reality.
There is no extra charge to wear the VR goggles. Riders are not required to wear them to ride the Ride of Steel roller coaster.
Other Six Flags parks getting the VR roller coasters are in Arlington, Texas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Lake George, New York, San Antonio, Agawam, Massachusetts and Montreal.
Six Flags says it will launch the new VR roller coasters beginning this month and into the summer.
