National Geographic wears immersive helmets for “One Strange Rock” series

National Geographic will debut on the 24th, which promises to be the channel's boldest and best-produced series to date. Hosted by Will Smith, "One Strange Rock" is directed by filmmaker and environmental activist Darren Aronofsky - from the controversial "Requiem for a Dream" and "Mother!" And from winners such as "Black Swan" and "The Fighter." The attraction is described as a “fascinating and exciting journey that explores the fragility and wonder of planet Earth” and the company has built special immersive helmets to contemplate this journey through virtual reality (VR) as well.

Built by Tomorrow Lab, gadgets were described by Engadget as small versions of OminIMAX, which are the domed IMAX screens seen in science museums. The experience is similar to wearing a shoulder-mounted astronaut costume with a special retractable visor.

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Although more claustrophobic than traditional RV headsets, each Space Projection Helmet features a small 720p lens-matched resolution laser projector. The surface of the "screen" can also be seen from the outside, which is interesting for those who are not using to observe and follow the reactions of users. Audio is transmitted via the built-in rear speaker.

According to the beta testers, the few minutes they could watch "One Strange Rock" with their helmets were enough to see that the news has potential because it offers another model of VR, with more natural narrative sequences - without having the impression of looking through binoculars. And as a conclusion, it was possible to say that both Space Projection Helmets and current RV options, especially those with higher resolution, can live together in the market.

“One Strange Rock” will debut in Brazil on March 24 on the National Geographic cable channel at 10:30 pm, and helmets are expected to be brought to various projects in the coming months, especially in schools and planetariums in the United States.