Universal Creative is continuing to innovate and differentiate themselves from Disney. Their latest attempt in the theme park war is ambitious and it could very well change how we experience theme parks. I don’t say that lightly. Could you imagine having vehicles deliver you to and from attractions with the ability to avoid crowds? Well, Universal is currently developing that. Yes, it does sound something straight out of BnL from Wall-E.
A new patent was filed by Universal Studios LLC titled “Autonomous Transportation Techniques.”
Universal’s document details everything that an autonomous transportation system can do within a theme park or resort area. The document even described the vehicles taking guests to retrieve their belongings. The application for the patent states:
Amusement parks or similar entertainment facilities may move people and goods in a variety of ways within a park environment that is closed to outside vehicle traffic. However, vehicle transportation within a park is complex. Pedestrian paths are often closed to motor vehicles. Park shuttles may operate on set paths within the park, but these may require guests to wait for the next shuttle. Further, guests often have overnight accommodations that are outside of park boundaries, which discourages back-and-forth trips to drop off unneeded items.
The first patent outlines the in-park transportation system. Guests would go to designated boarding points. Then guests would activate a device which would activate the vehicle to come to that area. It is possible that requests could be made through a mobile device. The vehicle could have a control panel giving the guests an option of destinations to pick.
The patent describes how an autonomous vehicle that would track and meet the guest at their location:
In one example, when a guest has a reservation or return time, the guest location is tracked as they engage in other entertainment opportunities. The autonomous vehicle arrives at the guest location in advance (e.g., within a predetermined time window before the guest’s turn to ride the ride comes up), whether or not the guest has requested vehicle transportation.
Autonomous vehicle stories usually appear when tech giants start to experiment or when ride share services want to change the future. This is the first time it is appearing in a theme park story and or patent.
The patent also detailed that the autonomous vehicles will be detailed depending on a pickup area. So expect a fairy tale car if you were near a Shrek attraction, a London-inspired Harry Potter vehicle if you were near any Potter attractions, and lastly, a Jurassic Park jeep style autonomous vehicle if you are near a Jurassic Park ride.
The autonomous vehicles may even provide an attraction within itself as they may interact with sets and scenery. Universal may use some of their other patents along with this idea. They could potentially use some of the new augmented reality tools they have been working on. (Shoutout to Blooloop for giving us credit for that report).
Within the next document of the patent. The autonomous vehicles could also be used for non-human use. Meaning your Universal merchandise could arrive in style. This system could also be used strictly for Universal operations such as for prop shows and clean up.
Another fascinating tidbit is that with these vehicles. The application described it as “a Universal ride vehicle that is capable of transporting guests between rides and also serving as the ride vehicle itself, such that guests need to not load or unload from the vehicle between rides.”
A vehicle with this many features and abilities could revolutionize the way we see Universal Studios as a theme park. The move would create a gigantic difference between Universal and Disney. Also, this autonomous patent is fascinating because although it seems “lazy” it could help with foot traffic. Universal does have a point that in-park transportation only follows tracks and it isn’t always sufficient.
The vehicles could also potentially work within a queue which could be wild and game-changing for Universal. That could lead to more possibilities. Even though this patent may not happen or it may be modified. It is very intriguing to hear what they have been dreaming up at Universal Creative.
The ability for guests to call upon an autonomous vehicle that would pick them up, lead them to an attraction, connect to the track of that same attraction, and take them to another location is an incredible and well-thought out concept. This would obviously change the theme park industry. Not to mention the possibilities of riding in an autonomous vehicle to your attraction, and waiting in it during the queue, and having it interact with different elements is already special. Even if the autonomous vehicle could only connect with a few rides. It would be definitely worth the experience.
The patent still has to be approved but this is an ambitious idea and even with approval this idea would probably go under more research and development before it got rolled out into the theme parks. Still, this idea is unbelievable and it could end up being revolutionary. Universal could end up making your entire experience from the hotels, the merchandise, and the parks an adventure.
I think Universal Creative just gave a whole new meaning to the term people-mover.
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
