Abstract: A ride system includes a flume providing a flow path of a water ride and configured to accommodate a buoyant ride vehicle. The ride system also includes a support element extending into the flow path and at least partially submerged within the flow path. Moreover, the ride system includes a driving mechanism configured to actuate the support element such that the support element moves relative to the flow path in response to a control signal. The support element is configured to contact the buoyant ride vehicle to control movement of the buoyant ride vehicle along the flow path while the support element is being actuated. Further, the ride system includes a controller configured to generate the control signal based at least in part on a location of the buoyant ride vehicle in the flow path and a timer controlling activation of a show element.

Abstract: A method for transporting a parcel comprises a marine unmanned vehicle (MUMV) receiving a waterproof tote, coupling the tote to a tether, and towing the tether and the tote, with the tether floating on the transport waterway and the tote immersed in the the transport waterway, to a delivery location. The method can include an MUMV receiving the tote from, and/or delivering the tote to, an aerial vehicle. An unmanned water transport system (UWTS) comprises an MUMV, a floating tether, and a waterproof tote containing a parcel for transport on a transport waterway. The MUMV and tether are configured to tow the tether, with the tether floating on the transport waterway, and the tote coupled to the tether and immersed in the water of the transport waterway, to transport the tote from a source location to a delivery location on the transport waterway. The UWTS can perform the method.

Abstract: An amusement park system in accordance with present embodiments includes a ride vehicle configured to move along a path, an aquatic portion of the path defined by a water flow path, and an aerial portion of the path defined by a track configured to support a bogie. The ride vehicle is configured to freely float and move along the water flow path in response to currents of the water flow path. The ride vehicle is configured to be carried along the track by the bogie.

Abstract: A method comprises a computer-implemented virtual reality (VR) system connecting VR devices in a collaborative VR session. The VR devices are associated with participants in a collaborative activity to perform an ordered procedure directed to a real-world assembly. The VR system receives session inputs from VR devices associated with the participants. The session inputs correspond to actions of the participants to modify a virtual object included in a VR expression of the VR session. The virtual object corresponds to the real-world assembly. In response to the session inputs, the VR system performs a transaction directed to the virtual object, which produces modifications of the real-world assembly corresponding to the modifications of the virtual object. A collaborative VR system can comprise a VR server and VR devices configured to perform the method. A computer program product can instruct processors of a VR system to perform the method.

Abstract: A ride system includes a flume providing a flow path of a water ride and configured to accommodate a buoyant ride vehicle. The ride system also includes a support element extending into the flow path and at least partially submerged within the flow path. Moreover, the ride system includes a driving mechanism configured to actuate the support element such that the support element moves relative to the flow path in response to a control signal. The support element is configured to contact the buoyant ride vehicle to control movement of the buoyant ride vehicle along the flow path while the support element is being actuated. Further, the ride system includes a controller configured to generate the control signal based at least in part on a location of the buoyant ride vehicle in the flow path and a timer controlling activation of a show element.

Abstract: A ride assembly includes a passenger vehicle having front wheels, rear wheels, a motor, and a steering wheel, where the front and rear wheels are disposed on a surface, the motor is configured to provide power to the front wheels to propel the passenger vehicle, and the steering wheel is configured to adjust a position of the rear wheels and enable the passenger vehicle to drift, a track forming a trough in the surface, and a bogie hingedly coupled to the passenger vehicle, where the bogie is disposed in the trough, and where the bogie is configured to direct movement of the passenger vehicle along the track.

Abstract: An apparatus for an amusement park includes a bogie system positioned on a track. The bogie system directs motion along the track. The apparatus also includes an arm extending radially outward from the bogie system. The arm is rotatably coupled to a body of the bogie system. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a vehicle positioned on the arm.

Abstract: A ride system includes a flume providing a flow path of a water ride and configured to accommodate a buoyant ride vehicle. The ride system also includes a support element extending into the flow path and at least partially submerged within the flow path. Moreover, the ride system includes a driving mechanism configured to actuate the support element such that the support element moves relative to the flow path in response to a control signal. The support element is configured to contact the buoyant ride vehicle to control movement of the buoyant ride vehicle along the flow path while the support element is being actuated. Further, the ride system includes a controller configured to generate the control signal based at least in part on a location of the buoyant ride vehicle in the flow path and a timer controlling activation of a show element.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for generating simulations on the fly using large historical data and forecast data. To improve system performance, the large historical data are processed in parallel.

Abstract: An apparatus for an amusement park includes a bogie system positioned on a track. The bogie system directs motion along the track. The apparatus also includes an arm extending radially outward from the bogie system. The arm is rotatably coupled to a body of the bogie system. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a vehicle positioned on the arm.

Abstract: A method for transporting parcels in an aerial and roadway restricted area comprises an unmanned water transport train (UWTT) utilizing marine unmanned vehicles (MUMVs) receiving and transporting a waterproof tote on a transport waterway. The method can also include a UWTT receiving a waterproof tote from, and/or delivering a waterproof tote to, an aerial unmanned vehicle (AUMV). The method can include adding one or more MUMVs to the UWTT, and/or replacing a failing MUMV with one or more substitute MUMVs. An unmanned water transport system (UWTS) comprises a UWTT that includes MUMVs and waterproof totes. The UWTT is configured to transport the totes on a transport waterway. An MUMV can include a tether and a tote can attach to the tether. The UWTS can include a control center and/or AUMVs, and the UWTT can receive a tote from, or deliver a tote to, an AUMV, and/or receive additional MUMV(s).

Abstract: A ride vehicle for an amusement park includes a restraint system. The restraint system includes a first conformable component configured to be disposed over a first lower portion of a guest's body. The restraint system further includes a behind-the-knee component configured to be disposed behind a leg of the guest. The restraint system additionally includes a linkage mechanism configured to move the first conformable component, the behind-the-knee component, or a combination thereof, to secure the restraint system to the guest.

Abstract: A ride system includes a flume providing a flow path of a water ride and configured to accommodate a buoyant ride vehicle. The ride system also includes a support element extending into the flow path and at least partially submerged within the flow path. Moreover, the ride system includes a driving mechanism configured to actuate the support element such that the support element moves relative to the flow path in response to a control signal. The support element is configured to contact the buoyant ride vehicle to control movement of the buoyant ride vehicle along the flow path while the support element is being actuated. Further, the ride system includes a controller configured to generate the control signal based at least in part on a location of the buoyant ride vehicle in the flow path and a timer controlling activation of a show element.

Abstract: In a method for performing a collaborative activity, a processor connects Virtual Reality (VR) devices in a collaborative VR session. The processor presents a VR expression to a VR device. The VR expression represents a real-world object associated with the collaborative activity. The method includes receiving an input from a VR device, associated with a real-world object in the VR expression, and, in response, performing a transaction associated with the real-world object. A collaborative VR system comprises a VR server and VR devices configured to perform aspects of the method. The collaborative VR system can include a collaborative VR database. A computer program product can instruct one or more processors to perform aspects of the method.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a robotic arm and a movable hardstop disposed proximate to the robotic arm. The movable hardstop is separated from the robotic arm by at least one clearance in a first operating condition. The movable hardstop physically contacts the robotic arm in a second operating condition. The robotic system also includes one or more controllers configured to control movement of the robotic arm and movement of the movable hardstop such that the first operating condition is maintained or such that, if the second operating condition occurs, the hardtop blocks movement of the robotic arm.

Abstract: A ride system includes a first ride vehicle and a second ride vehicle positioned within a course and configured to travel within the course. The ride system also includes a control system having at least one controller and at least one position tracking system, where the at least one controller is configured to control movement of the first and second ride vehicles, and where the at least one position tracking system is configured to facilitate identification of a first location and a second location of the first and second ride vehicles, respectively, within the course. The ride system also includes a wireless network configured to enable communication between components of the ride system.

Abstract: A ride assembly includes a ride vehicle configured to carry one or more passengers and to move in a direction along a ride path, a first passenger seat of the ride vehicle having a seatback, where the first passenger seat is configured to seat a first passenger of the one or more passengers, and where the seatback is configured to rotate with respect to the ride vehicle from a loading position to an active position, a second passenger seat of the ride vehicle positioned behind the first passenger seat with respect to the direction, where the second passenger seat is configured to seat a second passenger of the one or more passengers, and a passenger restraint coupled to the seatback of the first passenger seat, where the passenger restraint is configured to secure the second passenger in the second passenger seat when the seatback is in the active position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a propulsion system includes roaming vehicles including a reaction plate installed on a bottom of each of the roaming vehicles, a surface stator matrix installed with a running surface for the roaming vehicles and including single sided linear induction motors (SSLIMs). Each of the SSLIMs include two windings installed orthogonally to one another. The propulsion system also includes motor drives configured to electrically couple to the SSLIMs via a switching panel, and a control system configured to receive information related to the roaming vehicles, receive a desired motion profile for the roaming vehicles across the surface stator matrix, determine which of the SSLIMs to activate and a performance of the SSLIMs based on the desired motion profile, the information, or some combination thereof, and send control signals to the motor drives to control the SSLIMs to produce the motion profile.

Abstract: A ride assembly includes a passenger vehicle having front wheels, rear wheels, a motor, and a steering wheel, where the front and rear wheels are disposed on a surface, the motor is configured to provide power to the front wheels to propel the passenger vehicle, and the steering wheel is configured to adjust a position of the rear wheels and enable the passenger vehicle to drift, a track forming a trough in the surface, and a bogie hingedly coupled to the passenger vehicle, where the bogie is disposed in the trough, and where the bogie is configured to direct movement of the passenger vehicle along the track.

Abstract: A ride vehicle for an amusement park includes a restraint system. The restraint system includes a first conformable component configured to be disposed over a first lower portion of a guest's body. The restraint system further includes a behind-the-knee component configured to be disposed behind a leg of the guest. The restraint system additionally includes a linkage mechanism configured to move the first conformable component, the behind-the-knee component, or a combination thereof, to secure the restraint system to the guest.