Splashing into the future with laser projections for the Dolphin Exhibit at Georgia Aquarium

Georgia Aquarium, renowned as the largest aquarium in the United States and a premier attraction in Atlanta, recently gave their beloved dolphin theater a major tech upgrade. Using Barco’s laser projection technology, they've breathed new life into the exhibit, making the experience even more visual, immersive and engaging for visitors as they dive into the fascinating world of dolphins.

Context

The dolphin theater at Georgia Aquarium has been a key attraction for over 14 years. The presentation in the multifunctional 1,800-person auditorium explores the global distribution of bottlenose dolphins and celebrates the unique connection between humans and these remarkable animals. The exhibit not only highlights the global impact of dolphins but also fosters a personal connection that inspires conservation efforts.

The presentation features an array of projection surfaces designed to mimic dolphin tails, creating immersive backdrops during the presentations. Given the exhibit's popularity and educational value, it was imperative to upgrade the aging projection system to maintain its appeal and effectiveness. The revamped dolphin presentation, “Destination: Dolphin”, promises a spectacular experience for audiences of all ages.

Challenge

Georgia Aquarium needed to upgrade its outdated projection system, which consisted of six 20,000 lumen lamp-based projectors to a more reliable and higher-resolution solution. The new system needed to deliver sharper images, better color saturation, and precise edge-blending on the curved screens to create a cohesive and immersive experience for visitors. Additionally, the upgrade had to be completed efficiently to minimize disruption to the exhibit.

Solution

Citing the company's strong reputation and previous successful collaborations, ASW, responsible for the revamp, partnered with Barco to update the dolphin theater’s projection system. The new Barco projectors have significantly improved the sharpness and clarity of the images, with exceptional color saturation that surpasses the previous system.

Four UDX-W40 projectors and one G100-W22 projector were installed to handle the arrangement of screens. The Barco projectors were chosen for their laser phosphor light source, which offers superior reliability and quality compared to the previous lamp-based projectors. The solid-state illumination provides a longer operating time without need for lamp changes; lamp-related costs and maintenance as well as image flicker, belong to the past.

The UDXs and G100 also offer advanced warping and blending capabilities through Barco Pulse, making these projectors a perfect fit for the multi-channel exhibit system ensuring a seamless and visually stunning display. 

Results

The installation was completed in February 2024, and the outcome has been overwhelmingly positive. The immersive, multisensory theatrical performance brings together the behaviors of dolphins alongside their trainers, talented actors, and amazing audiovisual effects to create a memorable show.

By integrating advanced technology and delivering superior visual performance, the Barco has projectors helped enhance an already beloved exhibit, ensuring that visitors continue to enjoy an immersive and educational experience.

Mr. Daniel Barr, Senior Director of Guest Experience at Georgia Aquarium concludes: “With the cutting-edge equipment from Barco, Georgia Aquarium’s Dolphin Coast theater projection system has reached new heights of visual brilliance. This expanded capability has allowed us to create more engaging content and better tell our stories through an immersive, unforgettable experience.”