Joined: Feb 21, 2006 Posts: 4196 Location: Sanford, Fl
Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 9:01 am Post subject: New Innoventions Exhibit: RoboSim 4-D Simulator
KUKA Robotics Corporation Introduces RoboSim 4-D Simulator at INNOVENTIONS® in Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort
KUKA Robotics Corporation announces the introduction of the RoboSim 4-D Simulator to the North American Entertainment Marketplace at INNOVENTIONS.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KUKA Robotics Corporation is pleased to announce the usage of the RoboSim 4-D Simulator ride system as part of a new exhibit at INNOVENTIONS in Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The addition of the RoboSim 4-D Simulator is an expansion of KUKA’s current presence at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot®. KUKA currently sponsors Rockin’ Robots - a 2,000 plus square foot interactive exhibit allowing guests to conduct a robotic band located in the INNOVENTIONS West building. “The popularity and expansion of INNOVENTIONS coupled with KUKA’s unique and innovative robotic and educational solutions in this exciting entertainment and education project will enhance the KUKA brand presence while strengthening our continued growth in the North American market.” stated Stu Shepherd, President of KUKA Robotics Corporation. “We are excited for the opportunity to demonstrate KUKA’s unique capabilities in a market that drives progress and interest in learning.”
The KUKA RoboSim 4-D Simulator creates a 4-dimensional experience through 3-D robotic motion and “wind”, by controlling air movements to stimulate the senses providing a more realistic simulation experience involving high speeds, quick direction changes and different climates for a unique sensation. The appeal of the 2-seat simulator is that it does not fully enclose the rider, but allows the rider’s legs and feet to be suspended. The spherical carbon-fiber hood, which is integrated as part of the unique KUKA RoboCoaster® ride system, immerses the rider into a true sensory experience by using high definition video combined with stereo sound and controlled air motion. “The KUKA RoboCoaster® programmable robotic ride system utilizes 6 axes and 6 degrees of total directional freedom with synchronized “under the hood” entertainment provides a thrilling experience like no other.” commented Stu Shepherd.
The RoboSim 4-D Simulator is TĂśV certified and includes safety devices such as smoke alarms and temperature monitoring. Video cameras and microphones allow RoboSim operators to monitor passengers at all times.
Prime venues for use of the RoboCoaster® and RoboSim versions include theme parks, science centers, shopping malls, family entertainment centers (FEC), amusement parks, leisure parks, and other motion-enhanced, virtual reality applications.
KUKA Robotics offers a wide range of industrial robots and robot systems, which includes the RoboCoaster®. The RoboCoaster® operates with a service-proven PC-based control platform. This PC-based robot controller (KR C) benefits from all the advantages of PC technology, such as remote diagnosis, Microsoft Windows interface, field bus, Soft PLC, OPC Server and much more.
About the KUKA Robot Group
KUKA Robotics Corporation along with KUKA Roboter GmbH, Augsburg Germany (part of the KUKA Aktiengesellschaft group of worldwide companies), ranks among the world's leading suppliers of industrial robots and material handling vehicles. Core competencies include the development, production, and sale of industrial robots, controllers, software, linear units, and omniMove™ omni-directional motion platforms. KUKA robots are utilized in a diverse range of industries including the appliance, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, logistics, food, pharmaceutical, medical, foundry and plastics industries as well as multiple applications including material handling, machine loading, assembly, packaging, palletizing, welding, bending, joining, and surface finishing. KUKA robots range from 5kg to 1300kg payloads, and 635mm to 3900mm reach, all controlled from a common PC based controller platform. KUKA is the market leader in Germany and Europe, and number three in the world. The KUKA Robot Group employs about 2,000 people worldwide. Of these, 1,200 are employed in Germany, either at the KUKA Robot Group headquarters in Augsburg, or at various subsidiaries. In 2008, sales totaled 474 million Euro. Twenty-six subsidiaries provide a presence in the major markets of Europe, the Americas and Asia. For more information contact KUKA Robotics at 866-873-5852 or visit their website at www.kukarobotics.com.
About INNOVENTIONS at Epcot®
INNOVENTIONS is located in the heart of Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Creativity and imagination abound as guests celebrate inspiration and the innovations that improve their lives and expand their horizons. Hands-on, interactive exhibits allow children and adults to be immersed into ideas that inform, entertain and inspire. For more information, contact Stacia Wake at stacia.l.wake@disney.com or visit www.innoventions.disney.com
This is the same robotic arm that is currently in use in the Nemo attraction at The Seas... This is also the technology that Universal is rumored to be using in the big Harry Potter dark ride and that Universal signed an exclusivity deal with Kuka approx 2 years ago...
The arms that Disney is using were purchased and licensed prior to the Universal/Kuka exclusivity deal, so they can still use just those (no new ones).
Sounds interesting... _________________ Up or Down North, South, East, or West An Adventurer's Life is Best!
Looking forward to checking these out. Next scheduled Epcot time is after work next Friday, so that’s cutting it close to Future World closing by the time I make it over there… Might have to plan a special trip
Joined: May 27, 2007 Posts: 300 Location: Connecticut, USA
Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 6:17 am Post subject:
This does sound kinda neat and I hope to get a chance to check it out in a few weeks but:
“The KUKA RoboCoaster® programmable robotic ride system utilizes 6 axes and 6 degrees of total directional freedom with synchronized “under the hood” entertainment provides a thrilling experience like no other.” commented Stu Shepherd.
Joined: Feb 21, 2006 Posts: 4196 Location: Sanford, Fl
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:02 am Post subject:
Front page CNN article about this attraction (which is supposed to open this week, possibly today): http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/10/14/disney.math.ride/index.html _________________ Up or Down North, South, East, or West An Adventurer's Life is Best!
Walt Disney World unveiled its newest attraction this morning, a small but significant addition featuring first-of-its-kind simulators that allow guests to design -- and then ride -- their own roller coasters, bobsleds and jet planes.
But what makes the "Sum of All Thrills" at Epcot particularly interesting is that it offers a glimpse of what to expect in an even bigger attraction being built at Universal Orlando, as part of that resort's highly anticipated "Wizarding World of Harry Potter."
The Disney attraction, which was underwritten by defense contractor Raytheon Co., features robotic arms that that loft riders through the air. The massive mechanical appendages were developed by German robotics company KUKA Aktiengesellschaft, which also builds similar arms used by car manufacturers on assembly lines.
It is the first attraction at any of Orlando's theme parks to use such a ride system. But it is likely to have company soon.
Universal is widely believed to be using robot arms for "The Forbidden Journey of Harry Potter," the centerpiece attraction in its $200-plus million Wizarding World project at Islands of Adventure. While Universal has kept most details of the ride secret so far, construction documents show that the resort is working with a company that builds ride systems based on KUKA arms.
Disney's ride designers have been interested in KUKA arms for several years. Eric Goodman, a show producer with Walt Disney Imagineering, said they were especially intrigued by the ability to add "hoods," small capsules that close around a rider and allow for an immersive simulator experience.
Goodman said the technology turned out to be a perfect fit for Disney and Raytheon, which had been discussing a sponsorship deal for an exhibit inside one of Epcot's "Innoventions" pavilions. The companies wanted to create an experience in which children used basic math and science principles to design a thrill ride.
The arms have several advantages. Unlike traditional linear rides, for instance, the robot arms in the Sum of All Thrills can move in multiple directions at once because they rotate on six different axels. They have also been programmed with more sophisticated animation software.
"We were able to make a smoother ride," Goodman said.
Disney's Sum of All Thrills is by no means identical to Universal's Forbidden Journey. The Harry Potter attraction, which will be housed in a 15-story replica of Hogwarts Castle, will be a much larger, more lavish experience.
Universal's ride is also expected to be a type of "robocoaster," in which the robot arms advance along a track even as they swivel riders in various directions. The bases of the robot arms in the Sum of All Thrills are fixed in place.
The Wizaring World is scheduled to open sometime in the spring.
For Raytheon, the Sum of All Thrills is part of a broader outreach effort that also includes sponsoring the New England Patriots' new hall of fame in Massachusetts, where it has devised interactive exhibits that combine math and science with football. (Companies inside Epcot's Innoventions typically pay Disney about $1 million per year in sponsorship fees and sign on for three-year terms.)
William Swanson, chairman and chief executive officer of Waltham, Mass.-based Raytheon, said the goal is to get more children interested in learning about math and science – and, hopefully, to ensure a continued stream of prospective employees in the future.
"What need to do is help young children to understand how they can use math. If we can get young kids excited, we can build the pipeline," Swanson said. "For us, it's a long-term strategy."
Joined: Oct 12, 2009 Posts: 38 Location: The International Gateway
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:53 pm Post subject:
I'm not a fan of Innoventions. I think Communicores was much better, but this exhibit does sound very interesting. Too bad, I live in LA. I'll be seeing the exhibit in 2 years... hopefully. _________________ Wish I was at Epcot...
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Utilidors Audio Broadcasting / Utilidors.com / uabmagic.com are in no way affiliated with, endorsed or promoted by the Walt Disney Company or any of its subsidiaries.
All Music and requestable media Copyright the Walt Disney Company or their respective artists / Composers.
