Raytheon & The Sum of all Thrills

[GrumpyFan]

Yes, Raytheon is a defense contractor. They build missile systems and other high tech gear for mostly military applications.

I thought Cory or someone else talked about this awhile back.

Here's a short explanation I found on it. It actually sounds like it will be pretty neat.

The attraction is called “The Sum of All Thrills” and will allow guests to design a roller coaster, jet plane, or bobsled ride using real-life physics and engineering and then ride it within a robot arm-based simulator.

The exhibit is being described as feeling “like a high-tech laboratory” and is said to try to emphasize to guests “that math can be cool.”

In customizing the ride as part of the experience, guests will use a multi-touch surface table which can sense human interactions and objects placed upon it. Similar technology is currently being used inside the House of Innoventions at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA.

Once the ride is customized it can be ridden by guests in a simulator on the end of a KUKA robotic arm, created by German-based KUKA Roboter GmbH. The robot arm is similar to the one currently being used to control the menacing angler fish in Epcot’s The Seas with Nemo and Friends attraction, though it is the first time a robotic ar is being used as the ride system in a Disney theme park.

 

[mainegal]

I think this sounds cool.

I was one who did not excel in math. I needed more activities to make be believe that "math is fun".
Same with science. Only now am I getting excited about science.

 

[kpadalik]

Sounds fun! That KUKA robot arm thing - I've heard of that before, I think. I saw a video recently about some robot arm that was revealed at a theme park trade convention or something a couple (?) years ago. Apparently, this robotic arm is to be used in one of the new rides at Universal's Harry Potter. I wonder if it's one and the same? I saw that robotic arm in action (the reporter on the video was riding it) and it was pretty crazy!

 

[757hokie]

So glad Raytheon is doing this. I actually work for one of their competitors, but this is great!

If you look at the statistics, the US is falling behind the rest of the world at a startling rate for graduating scientists and engineers. Which means, we're falling behind in all kinds of areas that are extremely important to the future of our country (yes...including defense!).

Hopefully this will get some kids more interested in math & science when they see what an important part it plays in a lot of really cool stuff! By the way, that includes all the cool things produced by Imagineers...

 

[GrumpyFan]

It sounds like it could be kinda scary though. I mean think about it, you get to ride on a real ride (not a simulator), that YOU design. I hope your math is better than mine.

Seriously, though. When this was first announced, there was some confusion by some. Supposedly, Universal had signed an exclusive contract with Kuka for their RoboCoaster technology to be used in Florida. Details weren't made public, but the contract was supposedly done in a way that should've kept Disney from licensing and using the same technology in their parks. Obviously, something's not what it would seem though, since this is coming to Epcot real soon. Either they got around it by having Raytheon hold the licensing, and Disney's just contracted with them, or the technology being used is different than what Universal has licensed. Regardless, this looks to be something worth checking out.

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

KUKA robotic arm, created by German-based KUKA Roboter GmbH.

You know the Germans make good stuff. Wow.

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

KUKA robotic arm, created by German-based KUKA Roboter GmbH.

You know the Germans make good stuff. Wow.

 

[firsttimemom]

very cool! I did 2 summer internships with Raytheon and my dad worked there for 15+ years.

 

[minie_meese]

Just returned from a company meeting this morning and found out that Raytheon is in the process of purchasing my company - http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS141456+01-Sep-2009+PRN20090901

Maybe we'll get the behind the scenes tour of "The Sum of All Thrills"

 

[exwdwcm]

very cool- wonder if they will bring it to WDW innoventions at some point? I am an ex-Raytheon employee too!