KUKA Robotics and Primal Rides to release interactive amusement ride

There's nothing like wolfing down a delectable funnel cake, only to then strap yourself into a steel-framed contraption that lays down 2 Gs on your already-queasy stomach. Germany's KUKA Robotics is teaming up with Canada's own Primal Rides to unveil a new "fully interactive amusement ride" using the KUKA KR 500 robot as the "building block" of it all. The machine boasts a six-axis (not that SIXAXIS) robot with a 131-inch reach and capable of handling just over half a ton, all while throwing 2 Gs worth of force and countless smiles (or frowns, depending on the situation) on its riders. Apparently, the ride will hoist riders into a gunfight, where the intensity, speed, and variety of targets will increase as their scores skyrocket; additionally, KUKA claims that parks can "quickly and cost effectively change the theme and severity of the ride" by swapping out peripheral effects and robot programming sans the need for costly new nuts and bolts. While it's still unclear which theme parks have signed on for this robot-based thrill ride, we're sure EMMA, HOSPI, RI-MAN, and Quasi will be first in line to give it a whirl.

[Via Robbit Gossip]

[the_godfather @ Nov 10th 2006 11:34AM]

sounds like a sweet ride. from experience using kuka robots in the past i can vouch for their ability to give a "wicked ride." just better hope the programmer wasn't throwing back a few brewskie's when writing the code the night before...

[Lita @ Nov 10th 2006 11:38AM]

Interactive rides are not new. The Sally Corporation (www.sallycorp.com) pioneered them ages ago with the dark ride Ghost Hunter and have been creating specialty interactive rides ever since then. Other than not being a dark ride I'm not sure what's novel about this?

[Scabies @ Nov 10th 2006 11:48AM]

I, for one
...oh forget it. Though, as soon as I read "Swapping out programming,"...
A faulty firmware change and you could have a major problem. Or a totally sweet and unpredictable ride!

[Korey @ Nov 10th 2006 11:54AM]

Roller Soaker Hershey Park is interactive. Pretty fun ride.

[n2 @ Nov 10th 2006 12:14PM]

I always thought roller coasters weren't thrilling enough, and needed something more, like being able to shoot stuff while moving at high speed.

(sarcasm)

[aeo @ Nov 10th 2006 12:27PM]

Oh it'll be fun until it becomes sentient and decides to put the slapdown on it's riders griddle flapjack style.

[B-Sabre @ Nov 10th 2006 12:51PM]

I for one welcome the coming of our robotic amusement park overlords.

Well, somebody had to say it...

"All being will make merry...on pain of death!"

[Dirk @ Nov 10th 2006 1:25PM]

So this is what welding robots do in the weekend?!

[Jeff @ Nov 10th 2006 1:27PM]

How is this different than the hang gliding ride I went on in the Sega Joypolis a few weeks ago? It looks exactly the same (except that it had a hang glider thingy instead of guns), and sounds exactly the same from the description.

[Mack_Daddy @ Nov 10th 2006 1:29PM]

Umm... They already have this! At Legoland California. It's been there for almost a year now. The only that's different is there aren't any guns..

[Costas @ Nov 10th 2006 2:33PM]

Kuka was actually running this thing 3 or 4 years ago at an industrial automation trade show in Chicago. They had 2 programs running. One was mild, and the other would basically slosh your brains around in your head!

[Flalex @ Nov 10th 2006 6:06PM]

I don't think faulty firmware would be possible. Rides are incredibly safe (well, maybe only the permanent kind) and a new firmware would probably come on a flashcard in the mail, not some sort of internet download or something. All rides are tested quite a few times before they are even allowed to have a tester ride them.

P.S. The rollersoaker at hersheypark isn't that great. you get soaking wet, you can't aim at all, and the loading process is the worst ever. The lineup lasts for hours.

[Peanut @ Nov 10th 2006 9:53PM]

I've been waiting for this beast for a few years now. RELEASE IT ALL READY I WANT TO RIDE! Wait... doesn't legoland have them already?

[Scott @ Nov 11th 2006 1:31AM]

What about the Buzz Lightyear ride at Disney? You get in a cart and as you go through the ride have to shoot targets/areas with laser guns and it puts the score on a display in your cart in realtime.

[leo @ Oct 21st 2008 11:23PM]

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waiting for your reply soon
wishing you the best of business
leo

Zhongshan Jinying Amusement Equipment Co.,Ltd
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