27/7/06

“Robots in the Theme Park!” (#494)

 
Stinger REPORT Skinny!
(5/06/06) The 85th anniversary of the word and concept of the Robot seems a fitting time to evaluate the application of autonomous machines in leisure entertainment. Ranging from the development of robotic receptionist in the park sector, while ‘Animatronics’, now over 40 years old since Walt Disney created their first robotic character, is moving into the development of walking machines that can transport guests. The market looks beyond the theme parks towards the applications of robots as game machines such as ‘Robogeddon’ and ‘RoboCap’ start to appear on the gaming scene – who will be playing whom in the future?

Main REPORT:
The title of this feature is not to conjure images of some schlock sci-fi movie, but the serious advances in automated systems stemming from toy and consumer projects has made it way into the themed entertainment sector. The application of autonomous machines in the out-of-home leisure entertainment sector has been inspired by developments internationally.

The Korean Ministry of Information and Communication stated in April 2006 that by 2020 they expected 100 per cent market penetration for robots in the home. This builds on the Android (known as ‘Ever-1’) that incorporating facial expressions presented by the Korean Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy. The system can recognize and acknowledge over 400 words, and is able to hold a basic conversation was presented as the ultimate receptionist for corporations and hotels, but also for information kiosks at theme parks – answering guest questions. A number of projects are already looking at robots for tollbooth operation, and automated ticketing.

Though the Ever-1 is still an experimental product looking to future application; in the theme park and live-entertainment market robots are already being applied in reality. During the FIFA World Cup, the stadium audiences were monitored and policed by crowd control robots (known as ‘ORFO’ units) from Robowatch Technologies, equipped with radar and infrared scanners, remote cameras, and temperature gauges – acting as both security, bomb detection and crowd control (via the secret deployment of teargas). While the robots monitored the real World Cup, the Robot World Cup was taking place between 400 teams took place also in Germany.

Beyond crowd monitoring, the use of entertainment system build off the success of the RoboVac consumer systems deployed in many homes; systems that move round apartments automatically hovering the carpet and cleaning floors. A number of theme parks are now looking to deploy industrial versions of these systems in their facilities, while already development is underway from robots that will collect litterbins for cleaning, and will traverse the theme park collecting dropped litter. There are even plans to use robots for large venue repair and upkeep, with these systems scaling structure and painting them, along with industrial versions of the already available home robo-mowers trimming vast acreage of theme park and golf course, (along with robot ball collection).

Theme parks have been use to autonomous systems since in the late Sixties, when Walt Disney, borrowed from the World Fair exhibit and created the ‘Animatronic’ displays personified by the Hall of Presidents, and ‘Great Moments of Mr. Lincoln’ attraction (the first fully installed audio-animatronic’ for theme park application and the débuted of Disney robotic characters). The early days of punch card control and pneumatics have been computerized and now fully robotic characters (under the Animatronic name). Companies such as R2R of the Netherlands have perfected their cost-effective water-hydraulics animatronics that offers robotic narration to all scale of venue.

The inclusion of animatronics amongst the crowds has been the next development. Projects have seen the development of ‘Walking Machine’, building on the fundamentals of animatronics that allow them to be used in parade floats and even to interact with guests and offer rides. Walt Disney Company has had a special project that saw a prototype walking dinosaur used in special parades. Outside of Disney, a number of developments have been seen with a 17ft., Robot Giraffe, created for the Burning Man Festival, powered by a 12-horsepower propane engine and steered by a rider.

Looking at the use of robots in moving the guest there have been developments with the ‘RoboCoaster’ system, created by the European automotive robot developer AES. The system offers the programmability of the robotic arm employed in moving the rider in a highly frenetic envelope of movement. The installation of the system was first seen at LegoLand in Germany, and it is expected to be launched in a second ride that will include the robot riding arm mounted on a track within a projected dome environment.

Beyond the automated character, the creation of robot systems as part of the entertainment for Out-of-Home leisure entertainment venues; a UK company has developed a traveling attraction called ‘Robogeddon’ with four radio-controlled robots fighting battling for supremacy. The concept was inspired by the Robo-Wars television program and offers a mobile attraction for fairs and private hire. The company has developed the concept for other experiences with a robot football system scheduled for release.

Companies from the techno-savvy South Korean capital have also made units; the ‘RobotCap’ and ‘Robot Sports Game’ systems from CNF offers the first wireless (active floor) system that has players controlling their remote unit through their IR Robot system. Originated in the RobotCap prize collection system, the development of an amusement-based enclosure that players control uses a level of ‘mechanical’ attraction that has found favor with the player – a modern equivalent from pinball. Another system in development is ‘Robo Basho’ from American Robotic Amusement. The ‘King-of-the-Hill’ game style, initially installed in a Basho style mobile system, the company hopes once developed to create football and other sports games based around these systems, which the player controls via special joypads, the concept was first previewed at AMOA’05.

In one of those interesting crossovers that inflict our industry, the application of robots also coincide with the development of ‘rehabilitainment’ systems that can support the elderly (which are covered in detail in a coming feature). As systems help the 21st Century guest round the park of tomorrow, rehabilitainment robots will keep the mind fresh for the aging population.

What Could this all Mean:
The reality that most of what has been described as Robots, are in fact radio-controlled autonon systems, rather than the totally autonomous mechanism perceived by the term. The concept of the Robot celebrated its 85th birthday this year, with the Czech writer Karel Capek debuted his play ‘Rossum’s Universal Robot’ – the mass popularization, and first use of the term ‘robot’ as a servant for good (and bad) in human society.

The RoboVac is totally autonomous and able to be referred to as a robot; and with new toy development have seen an explosion in development in robotic pets and toy concept. Sony Entertainment championed their expensive ‘AIBO’ robotic pet, and so opened the floodgates to the concept of robot consumer toys. The concept has been succeeded by the Robosapians chain of cost-effective and versatile robot toys. These systems from Robosapian however are moving from toy to consumer entertainment as their versatility increases. As companies such as Lego also look to developing robotic kits fro DiY design robotic entertainment looks to be a major factor in our future – especially if the Korean claim comes true!