How To Train Your Couch.
When most of us settle in for the evening and look to unwind, we may find ourselves on the family couch. It’s a great couch. It’s seen a lot. From kids trampling, fido napping, and dad reclining, it’s been there for us to provide comfort, relaxation, and moments of varying zen. But what if, deep within the soul of that comfy source of nurturing, there was a hunger to come to life. A hunger to rise and move, and breathe. A desire to move this way and that and be free of the gravity that has held it so securely to the Pergo flooring. This couch is alive. This couch is aware. This couch can’t be contained…Or can it?
One Team. One Mission. Total Couch Submission.
When the team at Steamroller Technologies understood the mission, they sprang into action. Whiteboard meeting after whiteboard meeting, chicken nugget runs, and late-night coffee consumption all led to a solid plan of attack. Train the couch. Harness its diabolical powers and use them for good. Use that pent-up power to create remarkable experiences for all that dare to seat belt into it. This couch will soon create an experience people will never forget.
A Portal To The Afterlife.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Steamroller Technologies leadership had a decision to make. With huge shifts in the Themed Entertainment world, many of their contracts had been paused. The team needed to stay together, but how? Enter Olivia, an unruly orb, a spooky spooker, a ghastly ghoul. After a considerable amount of brainstorming, more chicken nuggets, visions, an excitable couch, possibly an adult beverage or two, and a quest to keep this team together, Project Remy was born.
Our quest was twofold, to show the themed entertainment world just what this team is made of and, secondly, to keep those crazy couches contained. Olivia, the team, and the self-aware couches were all heading to the big show. IAPPA. The International Association for the attractions industry. Everyone would be there, and we weren’t simply content with slinging out some swag and business cards, that’s NOT how a Steamroller Technologies Steammate rolls. Our creation served as our business card, it showed off everything that this team can do.
From storyboarding, to drawings, to animation, prototyping, production, and software automation, The Haunting of Olivia came roaring to life. Our exhibit was like non-other, it featured a mixed reality environment where participants would enter the room, strap into one of our enlightened couches and buckle in for a heck of a ride to encounter Olivia, who was quite displeased with their presence in her haunting home. Finally, our couches had a purpose. They sprang to life, they swayed, they reacted, they were ALIVE. Our exhibit at IAPPA captured so much attention, kept our team together, and is paving the way for many future immersive experiences.
To our lead couch trainers, to our cranky spirit Olivia, to the media, and all who visited our experience at IAAPA, we offer a huge humble thank you for your support and encouragement.