By Sébastien Quadri, Junior Project Leader
Have you ever dreamed of flying?
The Birdly® virtual reality simulator was a centerpiece throughout the Swiss Innovation Week. Described as one of the best VR experience in the world, Birdly® generates a lively full-body experience in which mechanics and computer codes hidden behind this spectacular apparatus quickly disappear.
State Secretary of Switzerland Dr. Mauro Dell' Ambrogio trying out the Birdly® VR flight simulator.
During the week, more than 300 lucky and enthusiastic guests had the opportunity to experience the freedom of a bird and travel above the clouds with this immersive and interactive innovation!
Funny fact (or not so funny for the late-arrivals): On Friday, the queuing time was approximately 8 hours, as the VIP crowd was rushing towards this central attraction. The room was filled with joy, good vibes, and with some random loudly “Ahhhh” or “Whaoooo” coming from the surprised first-time-bird-riders.
At one point the queue for Birdly® was approx. 8 hours, so popular was the attraction.
A big “Thank you” to SOMNIACS and in particular Mr. Samuel Keller, mechanical engineer at Somniacs, who came all the way to Beijing for this incredible experience. SOMNIACS is a Swiss startup which founded the Birdly® project at the world-renowned Zurich Art School ZHdK.
Birdly®, we look forward to seeing you soon again in Shanghai (To be announced, August 2018…)!
From left to right: Ms. Haley Jiamin Lu (swissnex), Ms. Priska Furrer (swissnex), Ms. Lijun Zhang, Dr. Béatrice Ferrari (SERI), Dr. Mauro Dell' Ambrogio (State Secretary of Switzerland), Dr. Felix Moesner (CEO swissnex), Mr. Sébastien Quadri (swissnex)
Testimonials
“Incredible, unique, I never had something like this!”
“It’s very [impressive]! Even it’s my third time flying, I feel it’s very new and inspiring. It gives me an incredible experience to be able to fly. It’s definitely worth for everyone to try!”
“The first time you tilt over, it feels like falling, as soon as you got the hang of it you feel like actualy flying. Gliding between some skyscrapers or flying high above them, it doesn t matter what you do, the immersive experience is immense and all fun, until you bump into the first obstacle and you re realise, it is just a simulation.”