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London EyePod
Felix Allen18 May 2009
The London Eye is to be fitted with a “superpod” featuring video screens and wi-fi internet connection as part of a £12.5 million makeover.
The attraction's owner, Merlin Entertainments Group, is about to embark on a three-year project to “futureproof” the Eye with a range of features designed to improve the experience of riding in the glass capsules.
Air-conditioning will also be upgraded to cope with the regular heatwaves that global warming is expected to bring to the capital in the coming years.
It is the first refit since the world's largest observation wheel was built 10 years ago, and designers say it will mean no major maintenance work will be needed for another 20 years.
In an experiment to gauge public reaction, one of the 32 pods will have four screens providing information on the landmarks visible on the London skyline during the half-hour trip.
Technicians are also testing the feasibility of up to 800 passengers at a time being able to download music and multilingual audio commentary to mobile phones and other devices.
Kevin Dyer, Merlin's head of technical development, said the key was to see whether the technology could enhance visitors' experience without ruining the calm atmosphere on board the capsules.
He said: “Our guests over the last 10 years have told us they prefer a calm experience where they can enjoy the unobstructed views over London. But that's changing a little bit and some people want more in the way of commentary and visual guides.
“The upgrade will focus on keeping it clean, crisp and contemporary while also offering the possibility of enhancements which add to the experience rather than detract from it.”
It will be pot luck which visitors ride in the “superpod” and if it is popular the technology could be put in all the capsules.
Starting this summer, the Eye's pods will be removed one at a time and sailed down the Thames to Silvertown, then transported by lorry to a workshop in Worcester for the refit.
A nonoperational “dummy” capsule will be put in its place while the work is done, and the Eye will not stop running.
The facelift is due to be completed in time for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Some 33 million people have been on the Eye since it opened in 2000, making it Britain's most popular paid for visitor attraction.
Reader views (6)
As already said. Wi-Fi and a video screen. WHY ?????????????? A total waste of money. Whoever came up with that one needs a new job!
- Duncan Walker, Ex Peckham now Thailand, 19/05/2009 06:31
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wifi and internet... what on earth for..
i thought the point was the view ??
instead of 12,5 million..
why not make a video from in a pod and let people download it at home over their wifi and watch it on their tvs instead..
- Luke, Amsterdam, 18/05/2009 17:36
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Marianne, read the article. When I first saw they were going to be providing WiFi I wondered why on Earth they would want that, but if you link that to what else is on offer, such as audio commentary, it suddenly makes a lot of sense.
The Eye is a spectacular piece of equipment and I frequently feel proud of it.
- Alan Potter, London, UK, 18/05/2009 17:19
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Do the arithmetic: 12,5 million quid is chicken feed when you consider that an adult ticket is 17 quid, child ticket 8,50. Multiply that by 33 million visitors and you need a calculator with a LOT of digits.
- Bob, Vange, Essex, 18/05/2009 14:31
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yes its unbelievable! go on the london eye and watch tv! for 12.5million
- Nick Bacon, dc USA, 18/05/2009 13:09
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Am I the only person to think this whole refit nonsense is ridiculous? That people will visit the London Eye in order to use a wi-fi connection, rather than admire a great city for 30 minutes?
- Marianne, SW France/London, 18/05/2009 10:22
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