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Samsung and NASA introduced a 4D lunar gravity virtual reality experience called “A Moon for All Mankind” earlier this week, having unveiled it in the form of an exhibit that’s presently available at Samsung 837 in New York City’s Meatpacking District where it will be open to visitors until the end of the month. The setup serving as a basis for the experience includes Samsung’s Gear VR headset powered by the company’s Galaxy S9 Plus Android flagship. The headgear is used in conjunction with a special rig designed by NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, with the solution as a whole being meant to simulate the experience of walking on the Moon.
The same team that designed the experimental rig also created the Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) that NASA uses for training its astronauts, and though the four-dimensional setup Samsung is now showcasing in New York City isn’t as accurate, it’s still meant to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience to visitors. The video below shows a glimpse of what “A Moon for All Mankind” has to offer.
Despite this latest exhibit of VR prowess, Samsung’s strategy in the segment remains unclear, with the company showing no indication of having plans to revise its Gear VR lineup this year. Its sales in the segment are also on a significant decline, at least in the United States. While rumors from early 2018 suggested Samsung may be developing a standalone VR headset using its own system-on-chip and Super AMOLED panels, no such product has yet been announced, with IFA 2018 being the last major opportunity for the company to do so. In the meantime, Samsung is planning to launch the Galaxy Note 9 on August 9, with the upcoming Android flagship likely being compatible with its last Gear VR model, though that feature isn’t expected to be touted as one of its main selling points, much like the Galaxy S9 line’s VR support wasn’t advertised in a particularly aggressive manner.