Raytheon’s ‘Sum of All Thrills’ Opens Today; Ride Details and Online Experience Revealed!
WALTHAM, Mass. and LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Oct. 14, 2009) – Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) today unveiled the Sum of all Thrills™ at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort. This new ride is a unique experience that lets park guests custom-design their own thrill ride using mathematical tools, an innovative touch-screen table and a robotic simulator. As the first ride to be located within INNOVENTIONS at Epcot®, Sum of all Thrills™ is the latest example of Raytheon’s innovative approach to help educate and inspire young students about the power of math and math-related activities.
“Sum of all Thrills™ is an example of how Raytheon is using innovation to encourage students to develop and sustain an interest in math and science,” said William H. Swanson, Chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company. “By experiencing the “thrill” of math in this environment, students have the opportunity first hand to feel the excitement and possibilities of careers that are possible with math and science. We hope young people and adults alike will enjoy this innovative experience.”
Interactive and customizable, Sum of all Thrills™ lets guests of all ages create their own experience by first choosing a ride theme, including a roller coaster, bobsled or jet plane. Using multi-touch, object recognition tables with instructions available in six languages, guests use math and engineering based tools, such as rulers and speed dials, to design and customize their ride by adding corkscrews, inversions or steep hills. Guests learn and apply mathematical and engineering principles to determine how much energy is needed for a jet to take off or for a roller coaster or bobsled to make it up its first climb.
When the design of the ride is complete, it is saved on a personal card with a unique bar code. The card is then utilized to allow each guest to experience their custom ride from beginning to end on the robotic KUKA RoboSim 4-D simulator. Inside the simulator, guests experience their ride on immersive high definition video combined with stereo sound and controlled air motion for a complete sensory experience. The KUKA RoboSim 4-D simulator creates a four-dimensional experience through 3-D robotic motion and “wind” that controls air movement to stimulate the senses, providing a more realistic simulation experience.
Categories: Epcot, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Innoventions, Innoventions East, KUKA, Raytheon, SOAT, Sum of All Thrills
Epcot’s ‘The Sum of All Thrills’ Presented by Raytheon to Open October 14
Raytheon is pleased to announce that the highly anticipated ride The Sum of All Thrills will open at Epcot’s Innoventions East on October 14. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled to take place prior to park opening with Raytheon’s Chairman and CEO, William H. Swanson.
With any luck we shall have photos of the event to share with you.
Recently we also shared a first look at the technology used for the new ride here.
Categories: Epcot, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Innoventions, Raytheon, SOAT, The Sum of All Thrills
First Look: ‘The Sum of All Thrills’ RoboSim 4-D Simulator
Please Note: Although the RoboSim robotic arm has been designed by KUKA Robotics, ‘The Sum of All Thrills’ exhibit itself, located in Innoventions East, is fully designed and sponsored by Raytheon. The exhibit is expected to open within the month of October.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — KUKA Robotics Corporation is pleased to announce the usage of the RoboSim 4-D Simulator ride system as part of a new exhibit at INNOVENTIONS in Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The addition of the RoboSim 4-D Simulator is an expansion of KUKA’s current presence at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot®. KUKA currently sponsors Rockin’ Robots – a 2,000 plus square foot interactive exhibit allowing guests to conduct a robotic band located in the INNOVENTIONS West building. “The popularity and expansion of INNOVENTIONS coupled with KUKA’s unique and innovative robotic and educational solutions in this exciting entertainment and education project will enhance the KUKA brand presence while strengthening our continued growth in the North American market.” stated Stu Shepherd, President of KUKA Robotics Corporation. “We are excited for the opportunity to demonstrate KUKA’s unique capabilities in a market that drives progress and interest in learning.”
The KUKA RoboSim 4-D Simulator creates a 4-dimensional experience through 3-D robotic motion and “wind”, by controlling air movements to stimulate the senses providing a more realistic simulation experience involving high speeds, quick direction changes and different climates for a unique sensation. The appeal of the 2-seat simulator is that it does not fully enclose the rider, but allows the rider’s legs and feet to be suspended. The spherical carbon-fiber hood, which is integrated as part of the unique KUKA RoboCoaster® ride system, immerses the rider into a true sensory experience by using high definition video combined with stereo sound and controlled air motion. “The KUKA RoboCoaster® programmable robotic ride system utilizes 6 axes and 6 degrees of total directional freedom with synchronized “under the hood” entertainment provides a thrilling experience like no other.” commented Stu Shepherd.
The RoboSim 4-D Simulator is TÜV certified and includes safety devices such as smoke alarms and temperature monitoring. Video cameras and microphones allow RoboSim operators to monitor passengers at all times.
Categories: Epcot, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Innoventions, Raytheon, Rockin' Robots, SOAT, The Sum of All Thrills
Raytheon Announces MathMovesU Sweepstakes for Student to Attend ‘Sum of All Thrills’ Opening and More
WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 3, 2009 /PRNewswire/ — Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) is providing one lucky middle school student with the opportunity to attend the opening of a new interactive, math-based experience called “Sum of all Thrills.”
Set to open in October 2009, the “Sum of all Thrills” exhibit is located at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. It will engage children through a fun and educational experience and will help instill in them a lifelong passion for math, science, and technology.
The sweepstakes, which will run through Sept. 15, 2009 on MathMovesU.com, is open to children ages 10 to 16. One grand prize is available consisting of a 4-day, 3-night trip for four to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., for the “Sum of all Thrills” ribbon cutting ceremony.
The grand prize will include:
Categories: Epcot, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Attractions, Contest, Innoventions, Raytheon, SOAT, Sum of All Thrills
Innovention’s StormStruck Adds Lightning to Its Repertoire
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., June 25 — The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes–FLASH(R) and the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) are joining forces to promote public awareness about lightning safety and lightning protection. In recognition of National Lightning Safety Awareness Week, June 21-27, 2009, FLASH and LPI signed a partnership agreement on June 22, 2009 at StormStruck: A Tale of Two Homes(R) at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot(R) at the Walt Disney World(R) Resort, Lake Buena Vista, FL.
NOAA launched an annual Lightning Safety Awareness campaign in 2001 to increase awareness of the dangers of lightning and provide the public with safety information to help protect families and their property. Matt Bragaw, forecaster and lightning specialist with NOAA’s National Weather Service joined FLASH and LPI representatives for the partnership signing and tour of the StormStruck exhibit.
Categories: Epcot, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: FLASH, Innoventions, Lightning Protection Institute, NOAA, StormStruck
T. Rowe Price Launches The Great Piggy Bank Adventure at Epcot and Online to Boost Family Financial Education
Interactive Experience at INNOVENTIONS and Online Virtual Board Game Offer Key Financial Lessons, Provide ‘Teachable Moments’ to Empower Parents to Discuss Saving and Investing Principles
BALTIMORE, May 19 — T. Rowe Price, in collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online, today launched The Great Piggy Bank Adventure(SM) — two interactive financial education and entertainment experiences that offer lessons on the key financial themes of setting goals, saving and spending smartly, staying ahead of inflation, and diversifying your assets. The Great Piggy Bank Adventure(SM) comes to life through a hands-on, interactive experience at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot(R) at the Walt Disney World(R) Resort in Florida, and through an online virtual board game at www.thegreatpiggybankadventure.com.
Categories: Epcot, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Great Piggybank Adventure, Innoventions, T. Rowe Price
Innoventions Exhibit StormStruck Partners Recognized at Governor’s Hurricane Conference
PEMBROKE, Bermuda — RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: RNR) and its U.S. affiliate WeatherPredict Consulting Inc. today acknowledged recent recognition of its hurricane mitigation and awareness efforts at the 23rd Annual Governor’s Hurricane Conference in Fort Lauderdale. RenaissanceRe was among the corporate sponsors receiving an award for innovation and achievement in public awareness and mitigation advocacy for ‘StormStruck: A Tale of Two Homes®,’ the pioneering hurricane safety attraction at EPCOT® at the Walt Disney World® Resort.
Categories: Epcot, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Innoventions, StormStruck
Innoventions’ StormStruck is Now FloodSmart

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., April 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc. (FLASH), unveiled a new addition to their StormStruck: A Tale of Two Homes experience located in INNOVENTIONS at Epcot. A new “flood wall” exhibit discusses important facts about flooding including ways for homeowners to prepare for flood and protect themselves from costly flood damage.
Categories: Epcot, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: FloodSmart, Innoventions, StormStruck
New Innoventions Exhibit a Real Oinker
The Great Piggy Bank Adventure(SM) Exhibit to Open this Spring at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot

Concept Art of T. Rowe Price's Great Piggybank Adventure Exhibit Opening Soon at Epcot's Innoventions (c) Disney
BALTIMORE, March 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — T. Rowe Price, the global investment management organization, today announced that it has signed a sponsorship agreement to create an innovative financial education and entertainment experience at Epcot(R). Designed in collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering, The Great Piggy Bank Adventure(SM) is scheduled to open this spring at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot(R) at the Walt Disney World(R) Resort in Florida. This interactive exhibit will bring basic saving and investing concepts to life in a fun and captivating way. The experience will entertain and empower families, while encouraging them to engage in regular dialogue about the importance of saving and how to manage money responsibly.
Categories: Epcot, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Innoventions

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