Aquascope, Futuroscope Park

Modulo Pi’s media servers at the heart of Aquascope, the Futuroscope’s new water park

Futuroscope takes innovation to new heights with the launch of Aquascope, a groundbreaking water park featuring immersive, themed worlds. Spanning over 6,000 m², Aquascope immerses visitors in an unprecedented experience based on state-of-the-art technologies. Central to the audiovisual system is the Modulo Kinetic media server, paired with Modulo Pi’s pioneering 3D auto-calibration solution, used for the first time.

Futuroscope continues its expansion with the opening of Aquascope, a true revolution in the world of water parks. In line with the park’s DNA and its focus on digital technologies, the Futuroscope and FMD teams have come up with an innovative concept that breaks with the traditional codes of water parks.

Yannis Marchet, Development and Projects Manager at FMD, explains: “We wanted to include the fun and excitement of iconic slides, but we know that during a family visit, you also need spaces to relax, and we didn’t want it to be limited to just deckchairs.”

Officially opened on July 15, Aquascope features an impressive 6,000 m² indoor park paired with a 3,500 m² outdoor area, accommodating up to 1,700 guests at once.

The cutting-edge imaging technologies that have contributed to the Futuroscope’s success have been transposed to the indoor site, creating a unique immersive water park experience. Visitors are transported into mesmerizing worlds where monumental projections by Moment Factory combine with water and light effects, to offer a spectacle like no other.

Integrating advanced projection systems into the aquatic environment of Aquascope presented unique challenges for FMD‘s teams: “The particularity of this project lies in working in a chlorinated environment, which is highly corrosive,” stresses Yannis Marchet.

To protect the equipment, hopper-type control rooms were installed above the water basins. “The projectors are entirely isolated from the pool’s ambient air, with dedicated air conditioning systems drawing in fresh air from outside the pool area,” explains Yannis Marchet.

Among Aquascope’s standout areas, Kiné-eau delivers a breathtaking multi-sensory experience where water and imagery blend seamlessly. Visitors explore a 200 m² water pool, encircled by a 270° panoramic screen towering nearly 5 meters high.

A multimedia show unfolds on the 165 m² screen, brought to life by 5 x Barco 4K22 projectors delivering a resolution of 44 million pixels.

To ensure flawless projection quality, FMD collaborated with Modulo Pi and their cutting-edge 3D auto-calibration solution. This camera-based software module, currently in development, ensures pixel-perfect mapping on any projection surface.

“We’ve valued our partnership with Modulo Pi for years – their proximity, guidance, and innovation have been invaluable,” notes Yannis Marchet. “The innovation of 3D auto-calibration was particularly compelling for our project.”

The impressive mapping of the 270° cylindrical screen at Kiné-eau is powered by the Modulo Kinetic media server, enhanced by Modulo Pi‘s innovative 3D auto-calibration solution, used by FMD as a preview for this project.

The process began with a 3D scan of Kiné-eau, which was transformed into a refined mesh and imported into Modulo Kinetic. Using 10 x PoE cameras installed on-site and connected to the media server, a precise point cloud of Kiné-eau was generated and aligned in real time with the previously imported mesh. The 3D auto-calibration option enabled automatic alignment of the 5 x video-projectors installed, calculating geometry and overlap areas between projectors to ensure seamless projection.

The system implemented not only delivers perfect calibration, but also facilitates effortless maintenance over time. Yannis Marchet adds: “In this space, self-calibration is permanently installed, allowing activation whenever needed.”

To complete the Kiné-eau experience, 5 x Nexo ID84 speakers are also used, along with timecoded water and light effects that interact with the projected film. For example, falling meteorites projected onto the panoramic screen trigger bubbling effects in the pool as the meteorites hit the water.

Aquascope also invites visitors to explore La Crique, a dreamlike cavern featuring a 300 m² video mapping installation. This magical space features luminescent water, colorful water jets, a water curtain displaying glyphs, and two interactive beaches where particles respond to audience movements.

For the mapping in La Crique, FMD installed 4 x Barco 4K video projectors, powered by Modulo Kinetic.

Utilizing the media server’s advanced warping tools, the projected visuals perfectly align with the cavern’s intricate rocky backdrop. Modulo Kinetic delivers media at a resolution of 33 million pixels.

The video show is fully synchronized with sound and underwater lighting, creating a deeply immersive experience for visitors.

La Crique also serves as the starting point for a winding river that flows through Aquascope’s interior spaces. Guests board individual buoys to float along the waterway, enjoying a fresh perspective of the water park and an engaging video show visible along the journey.

With a budget of €57 million, Aquascope represents Futuroscope’s largest investment since its founding in 1987. The ambitious project has generated around 100 new jobs, further solidifying its impact.

Aquascope’s groundbreaking concept was an immediate hit, attracting over 150,000 visitors within just six weeks of opening.

Its innovation has also been celebrated in the global theme park industry, earning several prestigious accolades, including Best European Attraction at the Parksmania Awards 2024, the Leading Edge Award from the World Waterpark Association, and the THEA Award for Best Water Park.