Sum of All Thrills opens at Epcot

Disney has stolen a march on Universal with its use of the Kuka Robosim 4-D simulator. Image © 2009 Kuka Robotics

Walt Disney World's Epcot opened its latest attraction, robotic simulator The Sum of All Thrills, today.

Sponsored by Raytheon, The Sum of All Thrills allows guests to design their own rollercoaster, jet plane or bobsled ride and then "ride" it on one of four Kuka RoboSim 4-D Simulators. It is the first ride to be located in the Innoventions pavilion at Epcot.

Like many attractions at Epcot, The Sum of All Thrills has an educational theme. In this case, it is part of Raytheon's MathMovesU program, which is designed to engage middle school students in math and science. The experience is designed to show that basic skills picked up at school can be applied to stunning engineering feats such as rollercoasters.

Last week, Kuka Robotics revealed details of the ride system being used for Sum of All Thrills. Guests are seated in pairs on a robotic arm that was originally designed for industrial use. A similar arm is also set to be used for the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction at Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter when it opens in 2010 - though the Epcot version will be stationary, unlike the Potter ride which will also move along a track.

A YouTube video of the new ride system in action is embedded below:

Have you experienced The Sum of All Thrills? What did you think of it? Let us know using the comments section below.

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