Disney patents new technology: A step closer to its own Theme park metaverse

• Disney recently got a patent grant for a virtual-world simulator for its theme park.
• The patent reflects Tilak Mandadi’s vision of a ‘Theme park metaverse,’ and this patent seems to be a step towards that.
• The technology is meant to provide headset-free augmented reality.

The multinational entertainment giant Disney has been approved a patent for a technology that would create personalized interactive attractions at its theme park for the visitors. As the technology is going to facilitate headset-less augmented- reality(AR), the visitors could soon be seen exploring and riding through the metaverse.

Initially filed in July 2021 to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, it was granted patent of the ‘virtual-world simulator’ recently on December 28, 2021. 

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The technology would operate by tracking the visitors through their mobile phone devices, projecting and generating personalized 3D effects onto the walls, physical spaces, and objects nearby in the park. 

When we hear the word ‘Metaverse,’ what often comes to our mind is something that exists on the internet, which can be accessed using an AR or VR reality. However, the technology that is proposed by Disney is willing to bring the metaverse to the physical world.  

Disney’s interest in metaverse has not been unknown because during its fourth-quarter earnings call during November 2021. CEO Bob Chapek highlighted that the company is preparing to amalgamate physical and digital assets in the metaverse that would allow storytelling without boundaries through a three-dimensional canvas in their own Metaverse of Disney. 

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According to a Linkedin article shared by Disney Resorts Chief Strategy Officer Tilak Mandadi in November 2021, he wrote that he had his eyes laid on blending the physical and the digital world. It also said that as they look forward to the future, cutting across the barriers of the physical and digital world and unleashing new layers of storytelling in the park experiences is quite an exciting focus of thiers. And Mandadi’s vision of a ‘Theme Park Metaverse’ was reflected through the recently granted patent to Disney.

The Disney officials told the LA Times that as for the near future, they don’t really have any current plans to bring the simulator to use. And they also said that Disney files hundreds of Patents annually so that they can explore new and developing technologies. 

The number of parks Disney has worldwide is twelve. They are located in the U.S., Hongkong, Paris, Japan, etc. Despite the lockdown during the Covid 19 times, Disney managed to collect a total revenue of around $17 billion through its parks, experiences, and products segment. 

It is not unknown how mad some people are for Disney theme parks, and the latest patent grant to the company will only add to the adventurous experience of the people. And anyway, the simulator’s ability to produce a shared experience of the virtual world without the wearable headset or mobile device is a good thing during the times of covid as they need sanitation.