Feature

From simulation to sensation: Linear motion brings paragliding VR ride to life

Designing immersive, motion-based virtual reality (VR) experiences presents a unique blend of engineering and creative challenges. Frontgrid – a UK-based pioneer in immersive entertainment – needed its flagship attraction, ParadropVR, to replicate the thrilling sensation of paragliding, complete with sudden ascents and dramatic drops. But replicating such high-speed motion safely and reliably would require more than creative thinking. It would demand precision motion engineering.

02/05/2025 17:16:50

That’s where the expertise of Rollon, a specialist in linear motion solutions, was relied upon.

A new kind of motion challenge
ParadropVR combines motion-enabled hardware with VR visuals to place users in the virtual harness of a paraglider. Riders steer through digital landscapes while experiencing the forces of lift, drop, and drift – all in real time.

To make the simulator truly convincing, it wasn’t enough to move the rider up and down. The vertical movement needed to be dynamic, responsive and safe, even under varying riders’ weights. In short: a linear motion system that could deliver rapid vertical accelerations across a wide motion range, from just a few millimetres up to 850mm.

Frontgrid approached Rollon with this challenge: deliver a robust actuator system capable of handling the entire seat load, adapting to different user weights, and maintaining performance through frequent, rapid motion cycles. The solution would need to be compact, quiet and easily integrated into a complex motion platform, all while meeting rigorous safety demands.

Read the full article in DPA's May 2025 issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.