Abstract: An edible soft robot system may be used to display and/or interact with edible inflatable objects. In an embodiment, the edible inflatable object is configured to receive a fluid in an internal compartment. The edible inflatable object may be reversibly coupled to a container, wherein coupling the edible inflatable object to the container comprises aligning a port of the edible inflatable object to a fluid conduit to fluidically couple the internal compartment to the fluid conduit. A control system of the edible soft robot system is configured to receive instructions to adjust inflation of the internal compartment by activating fluid flow into or out of the internal compartment via the fluid conduit, wherein adjusting inflation of the internal compartment causes the edible inflatable object to actuate on or within the container.

Abstract: A tilt-activated beverage container is tilted to release an additive into a liquid. The additive is provided in an additive-release housing coupled to an inner wall of the beverage container. The additive-release housing includes a cap coupled to a base to form an additive-release compartment. When the base and cap are coupled, a channel is formed between a lip of the cap and an annular rim of the base. The additive is released into the liquid via the channel when the container is tilted.

Abstract: An amusement park attraction design system may include an object token having a first tracker coupled to a first projection surface, a visualization tool having a second tracker, and an image sensor that generates location data based on the first tracker and the second tracker. The amusement park attraction design system may also include a controller communicatively coupled to the image sensor and a projector. The controller may receive the location data from the image sensor to determine the object token and the visualization tool based on the first tracker and the second tracker, respectively. The controller may also receive image content based on an interaction between the object token and the visualization tool and send an indication of the image content to be projected. The projector may receive the indication of the image content and project the image content onto the first projection surface.

Abstract: A system may have one or more processors and a memory storing instructions, that when executed by the processors, cause the processors to perform operations that include receiving data associated with a user, and determining that the received data corresponds to a direction of movement by the user through a virtual reality (VR) environment, augmented reality (AR) environment, or mixed reality (MR) environment. The operations may also include transmitting a tile of high quality image data to a display device based on the direction of movement by the user, transmitting a command to the display device to display one or more aspects of a region of the VR environment, the AR environment, or the MR environment based on the tile of high quality image data, and preloading one or more additional tiles of high quality image data into a preloader based on the tile of high quality image data.

Abstract: An attraction system of an amusement park includes a viewing area, a virtual area, a beam splitter positioned to enable visibility of a portion of the viewing area through the beam splitter and visibility of a portion of the virtual area via reflection off the beam splitter, and a controller. The controller is configured to generate image data based on a distortive parameter associated with a first element disposed in the viewing area and transmit the image data to cause display of a second element in the virtual area. The distortive parameter is indicative of a distortion of an appearance of an object visible through the first element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating real images via retroreflection are provided. An image source may project light beams, which are received at a beam splitter. The beam splitter, positioned between a retroreflector and a viewing area, may reflect the light beams toward the retroreflector. In turn, the light beams may be reflected back from the retroreflector and toward and through the beam splitter to generate a real image that appears to a viewer to be floating in the viewing area. A controller may control the image source to adjust the real image based on a control parameter detected by at least one sensor.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a multi-sectional show robot. The multi-sectional show robot includes a primary robot with a controller and one or more sensors. The one or more sensors are configured to acquire feedback indicative of an environment surrounding the primary robot. The multi-sectional show robot also includes a secondary robot configured to removably couple to the primary robot to transition the multi-sectional show robot between a disengaged configuration, in which the primary robot is decoupled from the secondary robot, and an engaged configuration, in which the primary robot is coupled to the secondary robot. The controller is configured to operate the primary robot based on the feedback and a first control scheme with the multi-sectional show robot in the disengaged configuration and to operate the primary robot based on a second control scheme with the multi-sectional show robot in the engaged configuration.

Abstract: A special effects system includes a retroreflective target, an object comprising one or more light sources disposed on an end of the object, where the end of the object is spatially oriented to face the retroreflective target such that light from the one or more light sources is emitted onto the retroreflective target, and a controller communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors and the one or more light sources, wherein the controller comprises a processor configured to adjust the light from the light source based in part on the on the one or more signals output by the one or more sensors, wherein the signals are indicative of a position of the object, or a condition of the one or more light sources.

Abstract: An augmented reality system includes a first scene and a second scene. Further, the augmented reality system includes a partially reflective surface positioned relative to the first scene, the second scene, and an audience to facilitate viewing of one of the first scene or the second scene through the partially reflective surface and to facilitate reflection of the other of the first scene or the second scene toward the audience as augmented reality imagery. A sensor of the augmented reality system is designed to detect and generate data indicative of a characteristic of the first scene, and a correlative effect system is operable to receive the data and adjust the second scene based thereon.

Abstract: A system may have one or more processors and a memory storing instructions, that when executed by the processors, cause the processors to perform operations that include receiving data associated with a user, and determining that the received data corresponds to a direction of movement by the user through a virtual reality (VR) environment, augmented reality (AR) environment, or mixed reality (MR) environment. The operations may also include transmitting a tile of high quality image data to a display device based on the direction of movement by the user, transmitting a command to the display device to display one or more aspects of a region of the VR environment, the AR environment, or the MR environment based on the tile of high quality image data, and preloading one or more additional tiles of high quality image data into a preloader based on the tile of high quality image data.

Abstract: A food and/or drink container includes an enclosure forming a space configured to receive a food and/or drink, a display coupled to the enclosure, and a processor communicatively coupled to the display. The processor is configured to receive an indication of a current location of the food and/or drink container and cause the display to output imagery based on the current location.

Abstract: Systems and method for generating real images via retroreflection are provided. An image source may project light beams, which are received at a beam splitter. The beam splitter, positioned between a retroreflector and a viewing area, may reflect the light beams toward the retroreflector. In turn, the light beams may be reflected back from the retroreflector and toward and through the beam splitter to generate a real image that appears to a viewer to be floating in the viewing area. A controller may control the image source to adjust the real image based on a control parameter detected by at least one sensor.

Abstract: A system for guiding a vehicle is provided. The system includes multiple paths on a surface, wherein each path is defined by light projection characteristics of a respective light projection defining a respective path. The system also includes the vehicle. The vehicle includes a sensor configured to detect the light projection characteristic of the respective path of the multiple paths, and a controller guide the vehicle along the respective path with a light projection characteristic that matches an expected light projection characteristic that is assigned to the vehicle.

Abstract: A special effects system includes a retroreflective target, an object comprising one or more light sources disposed on an end of the object, where the end of the object is spatially oriented to face the retroreflective target such that light from the one or more light sources is emitted onto the retroreflective target, and a controller communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors and the one or more light sources, wherein the controller comprises a processor configured to adjust the light from the light source based in part on the on the one or more signals output by the one or more sensors, wherein the signals are indicative of a position of the object, or a condition of the one or more light sources.

Abstract: An attraction system of an amusement park includes a viewing area, a virtual area, a beam splitter positioned to enable visibility of a portion of the viewing area through the beam splitter and visibility of a portion of the virtual area via reflection off the beam splitter, and a controller. The controller is configured to generate image data based on a distortive parameter associated with a first element disposed in the viewing area and transmit the image data to cause display of a second element in the virtual area. The distortive parameter is indicative of a distortion of an appearance of an object visible through the first element.

Abstract: The application is directed to systems and methods of performing anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and anomaly correction in an amusement park experience. A method may include receiving, via a sensor network, multiple layers of first sensor data indicative of characteristics of the experience and generating a profile of the experience based on the first sensor data, wherein the profile includes a baseline and a threshold. The method may also include receiving second sensor data and third sensor data via the sensor network, determining, in response to identifying characteristics of the second sensor data that deviate from the baseline but do not exceed the threshold, that the experience is operating properly, and performing a particular corrective action in response to identifying characteristics of the third sensor data that deviate from the baseline and exceed the threshold.

Abstract: A system for guiding a vehicle is provided. The system includes multiple paths on a surface, wherein each path is defined by light projection characteristics of a respective light projection defining a respective path. The system also includes the vehicle. The vehicle includes a sensor configured to detect the light projection characteristic of the respective path of the multiple paths, and a controller guide the vehicle along the respective path with a light projection characteristic that matches an expected light projection characteristic that is assigned to the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein include light field displays configured to display primary autostereoscopic images and to simultaneously project (e.g., in real time, while displaying their own primary autostereoscopic images) light rays toward display devices (e.g., either reflective devices or cameras) to display secondary autostereoscopic images via the display devices. The light rays projected from the light field displays are controlled by a control system based at least in part on positional data (e.g., position, orientation, and/or movement) of the display devices, which may be determined by the control system based at least in part on detection of light rays that are reflected off the display devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein include light field displays configured to display primary autostereoscopic images and to simultaneously project light rays toward display devices (e.g., either reflective devices or cameras) to display secondary autostereoscopic images via the display devices. The light rays projected from the light field displays are controlled by a control system based at least in part on positional tracking data (e.g., position, orientation, and/or movement) of the display devices and/or of a portion of humans associated with the display devices, which may be detected via sensors of the display devices and/or via cameras disposed about a physical environment within which the display devices and the humans are located. Specifically, the control system calculates light field vector functions for light rays to be projected toward each individual display device based at least in part on positional tracking data for that particular display device and/or its associated human.

Abstract: An amusement ride system includes a ride vehicle configured to carry a passenger, one or more sensors configured to detect a face and a body of the passenger while the passenger is in the ride vehicle, and a display assembly configured to be viewable by the passenger while the passenger is in the ride vehicle. The amusement ride system also includes a controller configured to generate an animation based on signals received from the one or more sensors and to instruct display of the animation on the display assembly. The signals are indicative of movement of the face and the body of the passenger, and the animation mimics the movement of the face and the body of the passenger.