Futuristic rides by Empire Industries bring new thrills

When the world's first robotic-based theme park ride opened in Orlando, Florida, the queue of people wanting to enjoy the thrills waited as long as eight hours. In the ride, passengers experience broomstick flight. A robotic arm moves them in many directions, perfectly synchronised with the movie scenes played around them.

Empire Industries, through subsidiaries Dynamic Structures and Dynamic Attractions, has once again produced a completely fresh entertainment experience. Best of all, the robots can be reprogrammed to give riders the experience of the next big blockbuster movie.

"It's the most popular ride in the United States," says Guy Nelson, president and CEO of Empire Industries. "We've combined technology and safety in one spectacular amusement platform the world has never experienced before."

Empire Industries designs and builds some of the most reliable and technically advanced park rides on four continents. In co-operation with steel fabricator Guangdong Qiguang Group, Empire Industries' expertise was used to build China's first four-dimensional roller coaster. Unlike traditional rides, the seats extend beyond the sides of the tracks, allowing passengers to rotate head over heels, forward and backward.

Surprisingly, the company is equally known for its role in the world of science. It has contributed in building more than half of the observatory enclosures worldwide. In fact, it has helped design what will be the world's largest observatory - the Thirty Meter Telescope.

"It's all about innovation and precision," Nelson says, explaining the link between observatories and amusement rides.