Disney has filed a number of patents that hint at the future direction of development forattractions and experiences in theme parks.
Animatronics and drones look set to feature heavily, and Star Wars fans will be excited to see that fighting with lightsabers is on the horizon.
Although patents do not necessarily make it all the way through development to the theme park, they make interesting reading.
Disney Patents: Drones, Robots and Lightsabers
The OrlandoBusiness Journal reports details of ten of the patents:- Animatronics: Eye trackingof visitors and skin material moulding techniques with actuation points to improve animatronic facial movements.
- Technology to enable guests to duel with lightsabers
- Drones: Disney Flixels as well as drones which can discharge fireworksor operate a large marionette
- One of the patents looks at how to allow guests to customise a theme park ride from a computer game.
- Foot scanning to monitor a guest's movements through the theme park and enhance the visitor experience.
- Projector lightbulbs for interactive applications in guest hotel rooms and at home.
- Flying coaster technology with vertical launch and load area.
Rachel Read
Rachel is co-founder and strategic director at blooloop. She has a degree in engineering from Cambridge University, is a Chartered Accountant and has certificates in Sustainability Leadership and Corporate Responsibility from London Business School, and Sustainable Marketing, Media and Creative from Cambridge University's Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). Rachel oversees our news, events and sustainability.
