What is Augmented Reality Darts?
Smarts Darts has been the hottest update to the bar and pub classic in years. Our Augmented Reality (AR) Darts system takes even Smarts Darts to the next level with a creative range of gameplay which will blow the minds of your clientele.
The Augmented Reality Darts system uses the same Unicorn Smartboard to detect where the dart landed, but is supplied in white so that we can use a projector to display all the gameplay graphics on top of it. This innovation opens up a huge realm of immersive gameplay no-one has ever seen before in the game of darts.
Watch the video and watch through the playlist below for a full walkthrough of the incredible Augmented Reality Darts system as well as complete playthroughs of each of the available games. This will show off the hardware, the software and learn about how the incredible control operators have at their fingertips.
It is worth noting that Augmented Reality Darts is currently only available for commercial premises. The Bullseye game for Augmented Reality Darts will launch in January 2022.
This is due to its unique finance model which enables premises to license the system for a low upfront cost and pay per hour of system use, instead of employing a larger, more restrictive upfront cost. This license includes software license, game use and servicing. The home version should be available in 2022 - but please get in touch with our sales team for the latest information.
How it works
The Augmented Reality Interactive Darts system consists of:
- A Smartboard dartboard surrounded by a white high density foam panel
- A projector to beam gaming graphics directly onto the board and surrounding foam panel
- A touchscreen user interface to control the gaming experience
- A set of speakers to include sound
Using the very latest dartboard technology the Smartboard senses where the darts have landed on the board. This registers the score and updates all the game graphics projected onto the board and surrounding area.
The projected graphics enable players to see how they did, how they compare to the other players and what they need to score next in a a whole new range of games. The basic game rules are always displayed on the touchscreen, but the user is guided through the game process by the graphics on the projector screen. The graphics show who is throwing, who’s up next, what the current scores are and what players should aim for with each throw.
The whole system is controlled via a touchscreen user interface which can be located somewhere near the throw line. The augmented system also features sound for a truly immersive experience.
Is it the same system that Flight Club uses?
No. The Flight Club system uses cameras to track where the dart has landed.
Camera systems vs Smartboard
At present, a Smartboard which detects dart locations in a bristle dart board is the most accurate system in the world. They require no calibration (just hang it on the wall), no prohibitively expensive camera systems and less fickle lighting setups to work. Due to its extremely robust nature, the Smartboard system is much more suited to the hospitality industry - even a nudge to a camera system can result in an engineer callout to recalibrate.
Some camera systems do have a wider field of view, allowing for the recording of darts missing the board - but our system has solutions to combat this.
Most importantly, a Smartboard is the only detection method that enables Augmented Reality Darts.
What’s the difference between SMARTS interactive darts and Augmented Reality darts?
We offer two different interactive darts systems, here are the key differences to help you decide which is best for your venue:
The Smartboard dartboard
Unicorn are our joint venture partner for this enterprise, meaning we have exclusive commercial use for their Smart Dartboard. It has a range of amazing features:
- The system uses a real dartboard that uses real darts - so you can choose what darts to offer
- As it's manufactured by Unicorn directly, our board is made to the same exacting standards as the Unicorn HD Eclipse 2
- We have worked with Unicorn to produce a serial version of their Smartboard that is powered by and communicates via USB, so it is constantly in play - no downtime for recharging
Your Darts, Your Choice
The board detects spikes in electromagnetism to determine where and when darts have landed in it. Any steel tip darts can be used but they need to be magnetised for detection. To do this, the tips of the darts are inserted into a small hole on the front of the board that contains a magnet. Each dart takes 5-10 seconds to magnetise and will remain magnetised for 6+ months.
The Dartboard Frame
The basic package includes all hardware necessary to get up and going, including the dartboard and a black laminate MDF surround - which houses the speaker system for you:
If you'd like to upgrade your tech package, you can opt for a premium wood projector surround, which houses the speakers and adds an upgraded level of finesse.
The wooden surround comes as standard when you purchase the turnkey premium package.
Mountable Protective Tablet Case
If you'd like a bit more flexibility to your set up compared to our turnkey packages then you can opt for our mountable protective tablet case. Easily mounted on any table or solid surface, place your touch screen interface in a spot that works for your venue.
User Interface
The user interface has been designed to be slick, quick and easy to use. Gaming sessions for players are for a set period of time, triggering at the point of entering their booking reference into the user interface. These codes reference booking numbers from whichever system they're linked to (more about this under session management), and enable sessions for a predetermined amount of time and players.
There's a built-in grace period which allows bookings to begin up to 15 minutes prior to the start time, for ease of use.
On logging into their game, this is a short preview of the player interface:
During the interactions:
- Teams can be selected randomly, manually by players via a drag-and-drop, or individuals can play against pairs.
- Players can choose a difficulty level before beginning.
- Once a game has started, the touchscreen UI presents a selection of controls.
- Guests can skip back and forth between players, delete erroneous scores, and tap the “miss” button for any darts that don’t hit the board.
- This in-game interface is reversible so the “miss” button is easily accessible relative to the position of the touchscreen.
- The menu button at the bottom enables guests to revisit the player entry screen at any time. From there they can add or edit players, set the difficulty settings, view the trophy table, view F&B menus and quit the current game.
Further customer controls
We have reduced the need for staffing for the Augmented Reality Darts system by providing customers an array of controls that they can access from the user interface. The menus are intuitive and simple, making it easy for customers to navigate. They include the ability to:
- Add and remove players
- Browse and select games
- View leaderboards
- Call server
- View Menus
Games!
Our Augmented Reality Darts system has an amazing array of games - including Bullseye and Disco Wall which are exclusive to this system (Bullseye is counted amongst a 'premium' set of games which may incur additional fees per game). As the system develops further, more and more games will be available which will keep your customers coming back for the next big thing.
Our current array of available games are:
The back-end system
To keep bookings and overviews of the games simple, our Augmented Reality Darts system provides a full back-end system enabling staff to have full control at any time.
The system includes:
- Customer Booking System (see below section on integrations and platforms)
- Online Booking and Payment System - we provide code for your website to enable you to manage your own bookings
- Online Session Management - see your bookings, lanes in use, start and end sessions
- Data and Analytics Platform
Session Management
There are two options for controlling session bookings:
- Using 501's session management system
- An online portal that allows users to create and edit sessions across all products, including Smarts Darts, Augmented Reality Darts, and Shuffle Pucks shuffleboard.
- If your venue already has an online booking and reservation platform in place, we recommend using our system in conjunction with your existing system. Depending on your requirements and size of the order we can look into integrating with your system.
- Using your venue's existing booking system
- Design My Night – to control our systems using DMN booking reference numbers you will need to provide your DMN API key. In some instances, DMN will charge for access to this key (typically £25/week).
- Briq – Now fully integrated. Briq charge 2% of online transactions plus a card processing fee (~1.5% + 20p).
Customisation options
All darts systems can be customised to make them an integral part of the venue’s brand.
We will produce the necessary graphics provided customers provide us with the appropriate assets in EPS, AI or PDF format. Alternatively, we can issue templates and customers can use their own creative teams to customise the systems.
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SETTING UP
In this section, there is information on what is included when this product is licensed from us:
Complete Consultation
We will help you develop this concept for your location every step of the way. Working with you on the products, how they operate, and how to optimise performance. Our sales team are on hand on the phone, by email, live chat, or in person in our showrooms.
In terms of servicing most issues can be fixed by our service technicians over the internet. If parts are needed they are easy to fit or replace and can be shipped to you quickly and cost effectively.
Lead Times
Lead times vary depending on pack - please see 'package types' below for more information.
Secure your inventory quick in order to beat long lead times. For the latest information on lead times and availability please call our sales team on 0800 622 6464.
Pricing - Please call for full pricing
Our pricing model is designed to give commercial venues the opportunity to provide the latest competitive socialising experiences without incurring huge setup costs.
All products follow the same model – an upfront fee (one-time investment) followed by a recurring license (software subscription). The upfront fee does not constitute a purchase of the hardware. We retain the title of the goods. The upfront fee covers onboarding, commissioning, training and, in the instance of Turnkey/Turnkey Premium, installation. We charge a fee based on the utilisation of the system.
Delivery is included for UK orders.
Hardware Supplied
We provide everything you need:
- Smart Console touchscreen user interface
- Unicorn Commercial Smartboard
- Laser projector
- Projector Mounting Arm
- High density foam dartboard surround / projector screen
- Amplifier & Box Speakers
- Unicorn Darts - 3 sets
- All cabling
You just need to provide:
- Two mains sockets
- One ethernet socket to connect to the internet
- At least 2.8m in ceiling height (2.9m optimum)
- At least 2m width in wall space
Complete Support
Not only do we provide you with the latest and greatest in interactive darts systems, but we also provide you with all the back-up and support you will need:
- Custom branding
- Staff Training
- Technical support
- Software and game updates
- Account management
Service Support
Our products are designed so that any issues that present themselves are quickly identifiable and easily remedied. We provide help desk support for venues which involves stepping through our troubleshooting guide. Depending on what the issue is, if it is not resolved over the phone, we will ship a replacement part. The process is as follows…
- Call from venue
- Help desk troubleshooting
- Need for replacement part identified
- Replacement part shipped (customer invoiced)
- Customer ships the faulty part back to us.
- Returned parts examined and a resultant credit note or invoice for wear and tear is produced
- Replacement boards - provide up to 2 replacement boards per year based on utilisation - so if not warranted won’t be replaced.
Data Platform
We capture data in granular detail so that you can make informed decisions on the way you run your businesses. You can track all aspects of usage to assess performance, profitability and opportunities to improve and amend the way you charge. This is provided free of charge as part of the system.
We also use the data platform as a basis for billing.
Contract Length
The current contractual period is 3 years.
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PACKAGE TYPES
We offer you a range of solutions to match your requirements and budget. You can choose from the following:
1. Tech Only Package:
We supply all the hardware and instructions. You will need to handle all the installation yourself. You will need to:
- Fit-out the darts area yourself
- Install all the hardware - the projector, the touchscreen unit (you will need to provide the casement for it), the dartboard and all the necessary trunking/ducting to tidy away all the wiring
- Connect everything up and get it running
We will provide phone support should you get stuck and need a hand figuring anything out.
The current lead time for tech only packages is 2 to 4 weeks (subject to availability of components).
2. Turnkey Package:
Show us to the area you’d like to set up and we’ll do all the heavy lifting for you, literally. You provide the power and internet connection and we will:
- Provide and fit the wooden backboard
- The dartboard is mounted onto the backboard for you
- We fit the projector to your wall
- We fit the projector screen and sound system
- We provide the wooden oche bar top with metal pedestal legs
- We fit the touchscreen to the bar top in a dedicated metal casement, perfectly angled for optimum viewing
- We connect everything up and get it all running perfectly
The current lead time for turnkey packages is up to 12 weeks (subject to availability of components).
Dimensions for a single Turnkey package - Download PDF here
Dimensions for a double Turnkey package - Download PDF here
3. Turnkey Premium Package:
Show us to the area you’d like to set up and we’ll do all the heavy lifting for you, literally. You provide the power and internet connection and we will:
- Provide and fit the wooden backboard
- The dartboard is mounted onto the backboard for you
- We fit the projector to your wall
- We fit the projector screen and sound system
- We provide the premium wooden oche divider with all wooden fittings for a premium finish
- We fit the touchscreen to the oche divider unit, perfectly angled for optimum viewing
- We connect everything up and get it all running perfectly
The current lead time for premium turnkey packages is up to 12 weeks (subject to availability of components).
Dimensions for a single Premium Turnkey package - Download PDF here
Visit Our Showrooms
If you fancy checking out one of our fantastic interactive darts systems in the flesh, then pop into our showroom in Bristol.
We have both the Smarts and Augmented Reality Interactive Darts systems installed for you to try out.
For more details see our Showroom page. For directions see our How to Find Us page. We have plenty of fantastic games room products on display, to whet your appetite for future purchases.
