Robotic Arm Display Synchronization for Immersive Ride Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing amusement park attractions lack the ability to dynamically adjust visual effects in real-time based on the movement and position of ride vehicles, leading to a less immersive and less realistic experience for guests.

Innovation Solution

An attraction system that includes a display coupled to a ride vehicle, an actuator, and a control system that determines the display's position and orientation to dynamically adjust the output based on its movement, using sensors and actuators to synchronize the display's content with its physical movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a display is statically mounted in an attraction system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the immersive experience and realism are degraded because the visual output cannot dynamically reflect the ride's movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic visual adjustmentVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display is coupled to a robotic arm actuator system that enables dynamic positioning and orientation adjustment. The control system receives position data from sensors and dynamically adjusts the display's physical configuration to maintain proper alignment with the ride vehicle's movement, transforming a static mounting into a dynamic, adaptive system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the ride vehicle's position and orientation, feeding this data back to the control system. The control system processes this feedback and adjusts the display's position and orientation accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to real-time changes in the ride's movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If sensors and actuators are added to synchronize display content with physical movement, then the immersive experience is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic arm actuator system serves multiple functions: it positions the display, orients the display, and can potentially adjust other parameters. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each adjustment, simplifying the overall system architecture despite the added capability for synchronized visual output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical synchronization mechanisms with a control system that uses sensors to detect position and electronically adjusts the display's physical configuration through robotic actuators. This substitution of electronic control for mechanical linkages simplifies manufacturing while maintaining synchronization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If the display is coupled to a robotic arm actuator for dynamic positioning, then the visual output accuracy is improved, but the weight of the moving object increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition accuracyVSAvoiddisplay assembly weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic arm actuator system incorporates counterbalancing mechanisms that offset the weight of the display assembly. By using counterweights or spring-based balancing systems, the actuators only need to overcome minimal residual forces during positioning, reducing the overall system weight while maintaining precise position control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Data Source

PatentEP4721829A2Robotic arm integrated immersive reality
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC
  • EP4721829A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4721829A2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4721829A2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform operations comprising instructing an actuator of an attraction system to move a display coupled to the actuator, determining a positioning of the display, determining image data based on the positioning of the display, and instructing the display to present an image based on the image data.