Panasonic provides the interactive and immersive approach that comics Station Antwerp was looking for

The goal was to implement a solution that would allow visitors to immerse themselves in the world of comic book characters and experience how they have changed over time.. To do this, an infrastructure has been implemented that includes everything from audiovisual products to security, going through fire alarms, communications and air conditioning.

Comics Station Antwerp is a theme park located in Antwerp that has chosen an interactive approach to make some immortal comics reach the twenty-first century. To do this, needed the collaboration of a partner who could offer a comprehensive technical solution aimed at creating a fully interactive theme park that would captivate future generations of readers of this genre, both young and old. The choice was Panasonic.

"We didn't want to become a museum with a retrospective look., but to offer a different experience for children, families and friends. We wanted to find new forms of entertainment, that our visitors could immerse themselves in the world of comic book characters and experience how they have changed over time", explains Wim Hubrechtsen, CEO and Partner of Comics Station Antwerp.

Comics Station Antwerp commissioned Panasonic a comprehensive solution, from audiovisual products to security, going through fire alarms, communications infrastructure and air conditioning. They needed to link all aspects together in a combined network.

"We needed a partner who could offer us more than just a technology solution.. We wanted to find the best solution for a highly demanding environment, and our partner had to collaborate with us throughout the process. We wanted a single point for all technology, combined with on-site service and support to realize our project within the deadline".

To respond to these requirements, they were installed 22 laser projectors and more than 90 Screens, both from Panasonic, with third-party overlay features, that allowed them to be used as if they were tactile.

This choice was motivated by the prestige of the manufacturer's products and their low maintenance, proven technology and guaranteed operation 24/7, all of which entailed a low total cost of ownership. In addition, Comics Station Antwerp decided to minimize the risk of downtime by maintaining a stockpile of replacement products. Thanks to this approach, possible downtime was reduced to a maximum of 15 minutes.

"The aim was to ensure the continuity of the projections and screens.. In addition, and thanks to Panasonic's edge blending software, Comics Station Antwerp was able to create large screens on various surfaces, without superimposing them creating a fully immersive visual environment that allowed visitors to immerse themselves in the world of their favorite characters", adds Hubrechtsen.

Safety and emergency

Parallel to visual solutions, Comics Station Antwerp also valued the fact that it can use Panasonic's range of security solutions..

more than 90 high-end IP cameras, coupled with intelligent software, guarantee the safety of all visitors. The control room has Panasonic network recorders, that minimize downtime and allow you to recover images quickly and easily. The cameras are combined with motion detection sensors that trigger an alarm if someone unauthorized accesses specific areas of the theme park.

These security solutions have also been integrated into the emergency plan developed by Comics Station Antwerp.

CCTV cameras are combined with the installation of a fully functional fire detection system, with more than a hundred 100 fire sensors scattered around the facility. This fire safety solution is connected to the rest of the technological elements of Comics Station Antwerp.

"At the very moment an incident is reported, all the security cameras in the area focus on it and help our security manager to make the best decision. There is a permanent communication between the Panasonic telephone devices present in the installation, general alarms and evacuation messages displayed on professional screens. In addition, security cameras can perform a second scan of the area with their motion detectors and infrared sensors, to make sure the evacuation is complete", clarifies Hubrechtsen

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