How a New Invention Could CHANGE Rides at Universal Orlando

Theme parks are constantly looking for the next big thing that will create thrilling experiences and thus inspire more guests to visit. Although we don’t always get to know about the latest technology that Disney or Universal is working on, we can sometimes see hints when the company files patents for new processes and inventions.

Universal Orlando

We’ve recently seen Universal file patents for a “false surface for amusement ride special effects,” “interactive headgear,” and “Variable Effects Activation in an Interactive Environment.” Now, we’ve spotted another patent, this one focusing on animatronics and projections. Could this invention CHANGE theme park rides?

Universal City Studios LLC recently filed a patent for “Systems and Methods for Dynamic Projection Mapping for Animated Figures.” Sounds real fancy, right? Basically, they’re patenting a new process for projecting features and movement onto animatronic figures.

©Universal

Projection mapping isn’t necessarily new — Disney and Universal both use it during nighttime shows to make projections appear on Cinderella Castle and Hogwarts Castle (respectively). Without mapping, the projections would look misshapen and odd.

Projections on Hogwarts

But it looks like Universal thinks that projection mapping could be improved, especially as it relates to attractions on a smaller scale than their big nighttime show at Hogwarts Castle. The new patent mainly focuses on animatronic figures. In the patent, it says, “Certain animated figures may be brought to life by projection mapping, which traditionally directs predetermined appearances onto the animated figure. For example, a particular animated figure may be visually supplemented with a canned or fixed set of images, which may align with preprogrammed movements of the animated figure.”

©Universal

Currently, many animatronics use projections behind or inside the figures, with the light shining through semi-transparent surfaces. This effect creates “an unrealistic backlighting or glow” that Universal wants to avoid. With the new process, the animatronics could “appear more lifelike” and “contextually blend with their environment in a realistic, convincing manner.”

©Universal

The end goal of this new technology is to “further immerse the guests within a particular attraction, ride, or interactive experience.”

Seuss Landing

From the images in the patent, it looks like the system could be used within a ride or for a show, and the projections could be viewed from different angles without distorting the projected images (Orlando Business Journal).

Universal Orlando Resort

We’ll have to wait and see how Universal puts this new invention to work in the theme parks. In the meantime, you can check out these posts about other inventions in the works at Disney and Universal:

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