Robocoaster

Robocoaster HERO Factory in Legoland Germany

Helicopter flight simulator for simulating hovering and landing; on a 6-axis heavy-duty robot of the type KR500 from KUKA Roboter

A Robocoaster describes an industrial robot from the manufacturer KUKA Roboter GmbH that has been modified as a ride . Instead of a tool, a double seat for two passengers is attached to the arm of the robot.

The Robocoaster is the only six-axis articulated arm robot in the world that is officially approved for the transport of people as part of a ride operation in accordance with DIN 4112 and EN 13814 temporary structures . It was developed from the heavy-duty robot KR500 for industrial applications, which can move 500 kg on the robot hand. Thanks to the six joints, the device is able to carry out a wide variety of roll, pitch and yaw movements. The passengers sit, secured by shoulder bars, with freely hanging legs in seats that are similar to those on hanging coasters . To get in and out of the seats, the robot arm moves the seats to a raised access platform that can be moved forwards and backwards.

In addition to pre-determined driving programs, it is possible to operate the amusement ride with a sequence put together by the passenger. The passengers can put together the program themselves, divided into different intensity levels, on a programming terminal with a touchscreen . Not only dynamics and speed can be selected, but also the type and combination of rotary and swivel movements. This far-reaching flexibility enables all kinds of driving simulations to be carried out in a natural way. The Department of Mechanics and Robotics at the University of Duisburg-Essen is currently working on a visual addition to movement perception. The aim of this research work is, above all, to take into account the subjective feeling of driving passengers when planning rides such as roller coasters. On the other hand, heavy-duty excavators, helicopters or other large devices can be simulated and thus make the training of workers, pilots, etc. cheaper and safer.

The first system of its kind with 10 robot arms was opened in 2003 in Legoland Billund , Denmark . In the following years, comparable systems were also built in Legoland Germany and California. There are now numerous systems in amusement parks , shopping centers and museums around the world . In the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride in Universal Islands Of Adventure in Orlando, which opened in 2010, 47 Robocoasters were installed on an endless drive system for the first time. Another system with the Robocoaster was put into operation on July 15, 2014 in Osaka, Japan as part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Another Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey amusement ride opened on April 7, 2016 and is located at Universal Studios in Hollywood.

Robocoaster locations

attraction	park	country	opening
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey	Universal Studios Japan	Japan Japan	2014
Danse avec les robots	Futuroscope	France France	2006
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey	Universal's Islands of Adventure	United States United States	2010
HERO Factory	Legoland Germany	Germany Germany	2004
Knights' Tournament	Legoland California	United States United States	2005
Power Builder	Legoland Billund	Denmark Denmark	2003
The sum of all thrills	Epcot , Walt Disney World	United States United States	2009
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey	Universal Studios Hollywood	United States United States	2016

etymology

The made-up word "Robocoaster" was formed from robot (English for robot ) and coaster (English short form of roller coaster , roller coaster ). The reference to roller coaster was used because the driving experience should be like a roller coaster ride.

Robocoaster is registered as a trademark and is therefore protected by law.

Technical specifications

The ride is designed for people between 1.20 and 1.95 m tall. It has a total weight of 5.1 t, requires a floor space with a diameter of 11.9 m and a minimum height of 6.75 m and can also be used outdoors. The connected load is 13.5 kVA. A 400 V / 32 A power supply is required for operation. With a so-called load distributor with eight beams ("spider") it is possible to set up and operate the device without a foundation or damage to the floor. Mobile rides can be transported in a 40-foot container .