Pretty soon, McNugget-loving kids might just have the opportunity to order their Happy Meals with a side of VR.
Today, McDonald’s Sweden unveiled what the Oak Brook-based fast food juggernaut is calling “Happy Goggles,” a DIY virtual reality headset that customers can build out of their happy meal boxes. Kids simply re-fold the specialized cardboard their meals come in and insert a smartphone to have a unique VR experience.
“The idea came about, quite simply, by folding the usual Happy Meal box in a new way,” the company released in a statement. “The result, with the addition of a pair of lenses, turned into the VR Happy Goggles. When combined with a smartphone, the Happy Goggles lower the threshold so that everybody can afford to experience VR.”
Here's how it works:
Alongside the announcement, McDonald’s has also released a 360 degree VR skiing game called “Slope Stars” that can be enjoyed with or without the glasses.
The announcement comes as part of the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Happy Meal in Sweden. Though no US consumers will have access to the googles, about 3,500 units will be available at over a dozen locations in Sweden starting this weekend. Plans to bring the Happy Glasses to additional countries is already underway.
This is far from the first time the company has shown interest in getting more involved in technology. From launching a startup pitch competition at last year’s SXSW to opening a River North office focused on digital innovation to appeal to Chicago’s techies, the company seems investing in securing its place a leader in tech.
Image and video via McDonald's.
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