Maurer Rides, a leading designer and manufacturer of roller coasters and transport solutions, has introduced the Spike Platform, a modular technology platform designed to allow the company to develop different attraction concepts using a shared technical foundation.
The platform brings together established technologies in a common modular architecture that can be adapted and combined for different applications.
These include interactive roller coasters and dark rides, as well as signature attractions, people movers and material-handling systems.
According to Maurer Rides, the approach is intended to give designers and developers greater flexibility when creating new attractions, while reducing the need to develop core technical systems from scratch for each project.
The company says the modular architecture can support a range of attraction formats while providing a more predictable approach to technical development.
Combining proven modules in new ways
The platform's core feature is the patented Spike rack-and-pinion drive. Electrically powered drive wheels firmly engage with the track's rack, ensuring full traction under any conditions—be it gradient, weather, or load. This allows for acceleration at almost any point on the track, including uphill or from a standstill.
Additionally, energy recovery is possible during braking.
With Software-Defined Dynamics (SDD), ride behaviour is fully programmable. Speed profiles, stops, reverse movements, and effect triggers can be customised to create the desired experience, all within system limits.
An expanding portfolio enhances this core concept, ranging from compact interactive coasters to high-capacity designs like Spike Train and Spike Tandem.
"The principle of the Spike Platform is simple: we combine proven technical modules in new ways," says Jörg Beutler, CEO.
"This allows us to create extraordinary attractions together with our customers without having to start from zero on the technical side for every project."
See also: Pioneering sustainability in thrill rides
Seven layers
The Spike Platform consists of seven coordinated modular layers: Track & Supports, Drive Unit, Passenger Carriers, Controls & SDD, Multimedia, and Interaction Service & Accessories. These modules can be assembled in various configurations to suit different applications.
The Spike Platform consists of seven coordinated modular layersImage © Maurer Rides
Different track, drive, and vehicle modules meet a wide range of requirements.
The diversity is especially noticeable in the ride experience: traditional seats, moving and rotating seating arrangements, or stand-up concepts can be combined with interactive controls. Sound, lighting, and show effects can be built directly into the vehicle and synchronised accurately with the ride's position.
The platform approach combines two often conflicting requirements in new attractions: differentiation and technical predictability. New experiences do not always require developing every component from scratch. Instead, teams can recombine existing validated modules and supplement them with project-specific elements.
This enables the creation of unique World's Firsts based on a proven technological foundation, allowing flexibility in layout, vehicle design, ride dynamics, interaction, and staging.
This shared architecture also speeds up new product development. Examples like Spike Train and Spike Tandem show how the platform is expanding to accommodate higher capacities.
The platform also has implications in the development of new passenger transport systems, such as Maurer's Spike PM360Image © Maurer Rides
Maurer Rides’ new Spike PM360 exemplifies this progress by applying Spike technology to new passenger transportation applications.
Rides and transport
The Spike Platform is intentionally built as an open, adaptable system rather than a closed, modular one. It allows ongoing development of software, ride programs, multimedia, and interaction content within approved system boundaries.
"We want to create attractions that can evolve throughout their life cycle. New ideas should not automatically require a completely new system. The Spike Platform provides the technological foundation to make exactly that possible," adds Beutler.
The platform supports applications far beyond just roller coasters. Maurer Rides concentrates on five key areas: Roller Coaster, Dark Ride, Signature Attraction Passenger Transport, Material Handling, and Cargo.
Maurer Rides' Spike Drifter attractionImage © Maurer Rides
In passenger transportation, this creates new opportunities to turn mobility into an experience. Maurer Rides calls this concept "Transportainment." The upcoming Spike PM360 will showcase this idea.
Individual projects can be developed collaboratively with Maurer Rides in the Spike Studio. The structured co-creation process spans briefing and concept development, prototyping and validation, and implementation. This approach allows new functions to be tested early, before being integrated into a specific project.
The redesigned Maurer Rides website now features the new Spike Platform, covering its application areas, product families, and seven modular layers. A whitepaper is also available, providing detailed insights into the platform's technology architecture, modular design, and development approach.
Maurer Rides recently brought its innovative Spike Coaster concept to Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia, with the park's Sea Stallion coaster.
