Researchers from the University of Nottingham are studying a personalized roller coaster system from Thrill Laboratory that could actually enhance the emotions subjects deal with when in an amusement park contraption, a project by designer Brendan Walker and colleagues. To be more precise, the University of Nottingham feasibility study is examining whether fairground rides might be able to automatically adjust the thrill level they deliver, moment by moment, depending on the excitement, boredom, fear, etc. experienced by the people using them.

Exciting, exhilarating, terrifying – the extreme emotions we feel on ‘white knuckle’ rides are part and parcel of the theme park experience. But a better understanding of the body’s response to such situations could be used to enhance that experience even further and the rides of tomorrow could actually adjust the ‘thrill’ level they provide, from one moment to the next, depending on the fluctuating emotions felt by the individuals on board.

 

Developed with EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) funding, Thrill Technology MkIV features a helmet-mounted camera, alongside a set of biosensors mounted on the body. This equipment allows the collection of a wide variety of data channels from riders, including facial expression, heart rate and skin conductance. If it can be proved that this data correlates with the degree of thrill felt during a theme park ride – and if the data allows physiologically similar but emotionally opposite feelings (e.g. excitement and fear) to be differentiated – the spectrum of possibilities it opens up could be enormous.

 

For instance, rides could comprise individually controlled ‘pods’ where the emotions of those inside are continuously monitored. Responding in real time, the pods could then increase or reduce the ride’s scariness as appropriate. Or ‘personal recommendation systems’ could advise individuals which rides to sample, based on their past physiological responses to similar attractions.

 

“Modern biosensing and telemetry technologies could fundamentally change the way we interact with fun fairs and theme parks,” said Professor Steve Benford of the University of Nottingham.

 

We are just a few, but there are many of you, Softpedia users, out there. That's why we thought it would be a good idea to create an email address for you to help us a little in finding gadgets we missed. Interesting links are bound to be posted with recognition going mainly to those who submit. The address is .