Amusement Park Thrill Rides

Amusement Park Thrill Rides

You probably never think of how a gyro is used to enhance your favorite theme park thrill ride.  Gyros or Fiber-optic gyroscopes (FOGs) and quartz micro-electromechanical systems (QMEMS) gyroscopes both support motion control, guidance, and safety systems in theme park rides.

FOGs provide extremely high accuracy, low drift, and outstanding temperature stability, making them ideal for rides that demand precise motion profiling and repeatability. High-end theme park attractions – such as robotic-arm rides, motion simulators, large trackless vehicles, and coaster systems requiring sub-degree orientation accuracy – benefit from FOGs because they maintain calibration over long periods and remain stable under vibration and temperature variation.

QMEMS gyroscopes are also considered for the application, and offer a smaller, lighter, and far more economical alternative, with strong robustness and good accuracy for most theme park applications. Their chip-scale or small module packages allow easy integration into distributed ride-control nodes, handheld operators’ tools, or onboard sensors in vehicles. QMEMS sensors handle vibration well and are inexpensive to replace, making them suitable for ride vehicles that experience frequent shocks, such as bumper cars, spinning rides, trackless dark-ride vehicles, and moderate-precision motion platforms. Their downside is higher drift and lower bias stability, meaning they cannot maintain highly precise inertial measurements without periodic calibration or data fusion with encoders, track sensors, or external references.

For most theme park rides, QMEMS gyroscopes meet performance needs at far lower cost and size. FOGs are best reserved for premium motion-base simulators, precision robotic attractions, or any ride requiring the highest possible orientation accuracy and long-term stability. The optimal choice is EMCORE, as we have the ability to custom fit your application and design on motion complexity, required safety margins, and the ride’s operational budget.