The question is not “why” to use trackless vehicles but “when”. Trackless vehicles create an evolving and dynamic ride to exploit different routes, moving back and forwards. Their ability to navigate tight spaces and complex layouts (eg with pillars or narrow passages) makes them highly adaptable to different venue designs. Furthermore, by omitting the tracks there is more space in your dark ride for theming and decoration.

Vehicles on an omnidirectional wheel basis offer unmatched flexibility and precision in movement, resulting in more immersive experiences. They can move in any direction; forward, backward or sideward. This enables smoother transitions and the ability to position riders perfectly for key scenes or special effects. This enhances storytelling by creating a more interactive and engaging journey, tailored to the experience.

While ride content can be updated seamlessly, altering the entire attraction is not always as simple. Great rides have long lifespans, and visitors never tire of an engaging experience. Moreover, a dark ride is far more than just a series of screens; it is a carefully crafted blend of decorations, storytelling, and soul, making transformation a complex process. However, with a trackless ride system, modifications become significantly easier. For example, adjusting the ride path, changing the sequence of vehicles, adding or removing scenes, altering the ride duration, etc.

There are two types in the field of trackless dark ride vehicle guiding systems: wire-based systems and laser-based solutions. In case of wire-based systems, the vehicles follow a wire concealed in the ground.  The wire needs to be positioned when the ride is built, so the itinerary remains fixed. The sensors on the ride system need to be sensitive enough not to ‘miss’ the cable which could result in a vehicle stopping or, even worse, spinning wildly. Rogue Rides deploys the laser-based “SLAM” system, where the vehicle ‘sees the environment’ using special sensor cameras. The obstacles are registered and therefore vehicles don’t run the risk of getting lost.  Moreover, the track can be easily amended if the ride is to be changed or improved. This technology is used amongst other in self-driving cars, logistical and medical environments and is clearly the way forward.

In an open environment, a car, bicycle, or pedestrian, can locate itself with a GPS system, deducting its position from the signal received by a constellation of satellites. With indoor installations, positioning becomes more complicated as it is impossible to connect with the satellites providing the guidance. There are then two possibilities: either recreate such network of internal ‘satellites’, which is problematic due to the presence of obstructions such as decors, or use of ‘smart’ vision systems to locate themselves. This is exactly what SLAM does, it stands for Simultaneous Location and Mapping system. Sensors (usually laser radars) are constructing a digital map outlining the vehicles and locating them throughout the venue. In the case of dark rides, the sensors just compare what they ‘see’ to a map of the ride that is loaded in their memory.  With SLAM, vehicles are no different than a person, that would simply use a map and compare it to what they actually see.

All elements of the Rogue Rides ride system are designed and produced in Europe. Our engineering team will be on-site for installation, supervision, quality and safety checks, testing, integration and certifications. The Rogue Rides vehicles abide by all industry standards: ​ EN13814 Manufacturing according to EN1090 Control system according to EN13849 TUV certified Adjusting to local regulations Rogue Rides perfectly combines an industrial construction process with a flexible and intuitive software.

Rogue Rides can design your themed vehicle and assist in the track layout, advising you on the integration of dark ride components like AV, interactivity, special effects and decoration. The team works closely together with your master planner, architects and theming suppliers. In addition, engineering, theming design and production can be provided through BoldMove Nation’s experts, who have built numerous awarded dark rides worldwide.