RVBusiness, March/April 2019

KOA Park Model OEMs Take Futuristic Look During RVX Perhaps one of the most anticipated displays at RVX The RV Experience was the Campground of the Future a virtual reality VR experience at the Kampgrounds of America KOA exhibit Three swivel chairs and several Oculus goggle headsets awaited visitors curious about the concept and depending on the choice of campground they started their virtual tour on a mountains edge or inside a hot air balloon Toby ORourke CEO and president of the 57 yearold Billings Mont based franchisor of more than 500 KOA branded parks across North America told RVBusiness that KOA was all in when the RV Industry Association RVIA approached them with the concept We stepped back and looked at what we currently do and then we considered how technology will advance and what we knew from consumer trends and how habits might change and we picked the year 2030 ORourke explained Then we just started working everyone in our company was invited to participate They began work at the end of September and in January began the build out of the five different models they had for exploration mountain urban desert coastal and forest After scrapping the original plan of it being a physical model It felt really clunky like a Civil War battlefield model ORourke shared KOA began working with CampgroundViews com and its CEO Mark Koepp to build out the concepts in VR A few fast and furious months later the Campground of the Future was presented at RVX in Salt Lake City Utah With the Oculus goggles on users could jump from campsite to campstore explore underwater cabins and tour the virtual campgrounds with a simple turn of the head Other highlights included Automated site selection and check in retractable roofs on cabins enhanced water features gathering spaces for group camping and on site automated voice command technology for services such as firewood delivery registering for experiences such as go kart rentals and discovering on site recreation activities including how to access hiking trails directly from the campground ORourke said KOA was pleased with the outcome The reception has been very positive Its gotten people talking which is the goal Its fun to put on the goggles and do something different so its been very well received she said Caitlin Morton In partnership with the Campground of the Future display by Kampgrounds of America KOA Cavco Industries Inc and Skyline Champion Corp each displayed a Park Model RV of the Future at RVX The RV Experience Working with the concept of a park model that would be built in the year 2030 Cavco developed Model GB 1232AFPL 19 shown said Tim Gage vice president of park models and specialty products for Cavco Park Models and Cabins In addition to featuring a sleek design the prototype unit features voice controlled shades lighting climate control security and media The new park model has a large skylight system in the loft area that operates with the movement of the sun and weather patterns The SAVANT Platform Smart Host 2 automation software system is activated either manually by voice or with a device such as a smart phone or iPad Also on display was the Athens Park SN09 with UK3 Kitchen by Skyline Champion Known as the Crystal Cottage SN09 is an upscale park model RV with a new floorplan highlighted by the Ultimate Kitchen Three UK3 a kitchen design featuring stainless steel open shelving stainless steel farmhouse sink and stainless steel appliances such as a full sized range double door refrigerator freezer and built in microwave and range hood The Crystal Cottage also features a rugged exterior with double French doors transom windows and a large front porch Melissa Armas of Athens Park Model RVs said the Crystal Cottage is perfect as a rental or privately owned cabin by a lake with all the luxuries of home Ron Barger RVB M A R C H A P R I L 2 0 1 9 RVBusiness 57 While attendees experienced the Campgrounds of the Future virtual reality presentation by Kampgrounds of America using Oculus goggle headsets video footage of the virtual tours was also on display Cavcos Park Model RV of the Future