Abstract:
An apparatus for an amusement park includes a bogie system positioned on a track. The bogie system directs motion along the track. The apparatus also includes an arm extending radially outward from the bogie system. The arm is rotatably coupled to a body of the bogie system. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a vehicle positioned on the arm.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/141,086, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POSITIONING PODS OF AN AMUSEMENT PARK ATTRACTION,” filed Mar. 31, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to the field of amusement parks. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods utilized to provide amusement park experiences. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
         [0004]    Amusement parks often include attractions that incorporate simulated competitive circumstances between the attraction participants. For example, the attractions may have cars or trains in which riders race against one another along a path (e.g., dueling coasters, go carts). Incorporating the competitive circumstances may provide an additional entertainment value to the riders, as well as increase variety for riders utilizing the attraction multiple times. However, traditional systems may include several track sections to provide the simulated competitive circumstances, thereby increasing the cost and complexity of the attraction. It is now recognized that it is desirable to provide improved systems and methods for simulated racing attractions that provide excitement for riders. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       [0005]    Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed subject matter are discussed below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the present disclosure may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below. 
         [0006]    In accordance with one embodiment, an apparatus for an amusement park includes a bogie system positioned on a track. The bogie system directs motion along the track. The apparatus also includes an arm extending radially outward from the bogie system. The arm is rotatably coupled to a body of the bogie system. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a vehicle positioned on the arm. The bogie system is configured to move in an operation direction along the track and the vehicle is configured to rotate about the bogie system to change a position of the vehicle with respect to the bogie system. 
         [0007]    In accordance with another embodiment, a system includes a bogie system positioned on a track, where the bogie system is configured to move along the track, a plurality of arms extending radially outward from the bogie system, where each of the plurality of arms is rotatably coupled to a body of the bogie system, and a plurality of vehicles, where each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is positioned on a corresponding arm of the plurality of arms, and where the plurality of vehicles are positioned at different locations from one another with respect to the bogie system. 
         [0008]    In accordance with another embodiment, a method for controlling an amusement ride with an automation controller and actuators includes directing a plurality of vehicles in an operation direction along a track using a shared bogie system and a motor actuator, and rotating one or more of the vehicles of the plurality of vehicles about a guide axis with a rotation actuator to adjust a position of the one or more vehicles of the plurality of vehicles with respect to the remaining vehicles of the plurality of vehicles. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a top view of an embodiment of a racer having three vehicles positioned about a guide, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top view of an embodiment of a racer having two vehicles positioned about a guide, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a top view of an embodiment of a racer having one vehicle positioned about a guide, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional elevation view of an embodiment of a motion system of the racer of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional elevation view of an embodiment of a bogie system of a racer, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a top view of an embodiment of a racer having one or more arms that include a dogleg or bend, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional elevation view of an embodiment of a vehicle coupling system of the racer of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the vehicle coupling system of  FIG. 6  that utilizes an adjustable swash plate and rollers, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a schematic of another embodiment of the vehicle coupling system of  FIG. 6  that utilizes multiple adjustable swash plates that include rotatable plates, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a top view of an embodiment of the racer of  FIG. 1 , in which a first vehicle is in a first place position, a second vehicle is in a second place position, and a third vehicle is in a third place position, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the racer of  FIG. 10 , in which the first vehicle is in the first place position, the second vehicle is in the third place position, and the third vehicle is in the second place position, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a top view of an embodiment of the racer of  FIG. 1 , in which a track includes a curved section, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a top view of an embodiment of an attachment mechanism coupling a first guide to a second guide, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for controlling the position of the vehicles of the racer of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0025]    Attractions at amusement parks that involve competitive circumstances (e.g., racing between riders) may be limited by the physical constraints of the footprint of the attraction and by the amount of control over the ride experience. For example, ride vehicles (e.g., go carts) on a multi-lane track may interact with each other but their interactions are typically based on individual riders and the nature of the experience will thus be limited (e.g., the vehicles are typically configured to run relatively slow). Some racing attractions include several track sections (e.g., roller coaster tracks) with attached ride vehicles to provide more centralized control of the ride experience. These tracks may have individual ride vehicles for riders to occupy during the attraction. Unfortunately, the cost of constructing and operating the attraction may be elevated because of the additional track sections. Additionally, the complexity of the control system associated with forming a competitive racing environment may increase because several different track sections may be involved with the attraction. Further, having ride vehicles on separate track sections may make it difficult to simulate certain interactions (e.g., one ride vehicle passing another or sharing a lane with another ride vehicle) because the track sections would be required to merge or cross one another. 
         [0026]    Present embodiments of the disclosure are directed to facilitating a simulated competitive racing attraction, in a manner that gives riders the illusion of controlling the outcome of the race. As used herein, simulated competitive racing may refer to a simulation of variable speeds and positions of vehicles configured for housing riders for the duration of the attraction. The vehicles may include separate seating areas or rider housings that are each separately maneuverable about a centralized bogie. For example, riders may be positioned in adjacent vehicles coupled to the same guide (including one or more bogies) and track. In some embodiments, separate bogies or guides may support separate vehicles and the bogies may link or be positioned adjacent one another to achieve similar effects. 
         [0027]    The track may simulate a race track (e.g., a road having bends, twists, curves, or the like) wherein the position of the vehicles relative to one another may change throughout the duration of the ride. For example, a first vehicle may “pass” a second vehicle along a curve to simulate the first vehicle taking a lead in the race. Creating such an effect may enhance the likeability of the attraction by providing a variable experience each time the rider visits the attraction (e.g., the vehicle that finishes in first position may change each ride). 
         [0028]    In certain embodiments a racer includes vehicles positioned about a guide configured to drive the racer along a track. The vehicles may be coupled to arms extending from the guide that enable rotational movement about a guide axis. For example, an actuator may drive rotational movement of the arms and/or the guide to adjust the circumferential position of the vehicles about the guide axis. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the vehicles may be configured to rotate about a vehicle axis (e.g., an axis substantially parallel to the guide axis at a location where the vehicle is coupled to the arm), thereby enabling the vehicles to spin and/or rotate without adjusting the circumferential position of the vehicles about the guide axis. Furthermore, the vehicles may be configured to move radially, with respect to the guide axis. In certain embodiments, a control system may receive signals from sensors positioned about the racer. For example, the control system may receive a signal indicative of a circumferential position of the vehicle, with respect to the guide axis. Moreover, the controller may output signals to the actuator to adjust the circumferential position of the vehicles. As a result, the vehicles may be driven to rotate about the guide axis to adjust the circumferential position of the vehicles during operation of the attraction. 
         [0029]    With the foregoing in mind,  FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a top view of a racer  10 . The racer  10  includes vehicles  12  coupled to a guide  14  via arms  16 . The guide  14  is configured to direct movement of the vehicles  12  along a track  18  in an operation direction  20 . That is, the guide  14  is driven along the track  18  and the vehicles  12  follow the movement of the guide  14 . While the illustrated embodiments include a substantially straight track  18 , in other embodiments the track  18  may be arcuate, circular, polygonal, or any other shape that may simulate a road or driving path (e.g., river). For example, the track  18  may include S-shaped bends and hair-pin turns to enhance the excitement provided to a rider during operation. In certain embodiments, the guide  14  may include rollers (e.g., wheels) configured to couple to the track  18  to enable movement along the track  18  in the operation direction  20 . In still further embodiments, the guide  14  and/or the track  18  may be disposed in a slot or groove under a ground surface  21  (e.g., a manufactured race surface) such that the guide  14  and/or the track  18  are substantially hidden from view of the passengers. In other words, the guide  14  and/or the track  18  may be blocked from view perspectives in the pods by the ground surface  21 . 
         [0030]    In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the vehicles  12  are configured to rotate about a guide axis  22  in a first rotation direction  24  (e.g., clockwise with respect to  FIG. 1 ) and a second rotation direction  26  (e.g., counter-clockwise with respect to  FIG. 1 ). Moreover, the guide  14  may rotate about the guide axis  22  in the first rotation direction  24  and the second rotation direction  26 . As will be described in detail below, rotation of the vehicles  12  and/or the guide  14  about the guide axis  22  may enable adjustment of the position of the vehicles  12  relative to one another, thereby producing the illusion of one vehicle  12  moving ahead of another vehicle  12  in a race. It will be appreciated that while the illustrated embodiment includes three vehicles  12  positioned about the guide  14 , in other embodiments there may be 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or any suitable number of vehicles  12 . 
         [0031]    For example,  FIG. 2  is a top view of the racer  10  having two vehicles  12  positioned about the guide  14 . Moreover,  FIG. 3  is a top view of the racer  10  having one vehicle  12  positioned about the guide. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 3 , a counterbalance  27  may be positioned opposite the vehicle  12  to reduce any stresses on the guide  14  and/or the track  18  caused by the weight of the vehicle  12 . In some embodiments, the counterbalance  27  may be disposed in a slot or groove underneath the ground surface  21 , such that the counterbalance  27  is hidden from a view of the passengers. Additionally, in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , there may be multiple tracks  18  and/or guides  14  to enable several vehicles  12  to race independently of one another (e.g., vehicles  12  coupled to separate tracks  18  may be directed in the same general direction to simulate a race). In other embodiments, the racer  10  may not include the counterbalance  27 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view of a motion system  28  configured to drive movement and/or rotation of the racer  10 . The motion system  28  is movably coupled to the track  18  via rollers  30 . In certain embodiments, the rollers  30  may include motors (e.g., electric motors) to drive rotational movement of the rollers  30  to propel the racer  10  along the track  18  in the operation direction  20  (and/or the opposite direction). Accordingly, the vehicles  12  may travel along the track  18  to simulate a race. In other embodiments, the rollers  30  may move along the track  18  via gravitational forces and/or any other suitable technique for driving the racer  10  along the track  18 . Furthermore, a body  32  is coupled to and supports the rollers  30 . As will be appreciated, the body  32  may be formed from metals (e.g., steel), composite materials (e.g., including carbon fiber), or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the body  32  includes a pivot  34  that enables the guide  14  and the arms  16  to rotate about the guide axis  22 , thereby adjusting the circumferential position of the vehicles  12  with respect to the guide axis  22 . 
         [0033]    In the illustrated embodiment, the guide  14  includes a first actuator  36  configured to drive rotational movement of the guide  14  about the guide axis  22  (and in some embodiments, movement of the arms  16  about the guide axis  22 ). For example, the first actuator  36  may be a yaw drive that transmits rotational movement between interlocking gears. Also, in other embodiments, the first actuator  36  may be a rotary actuator configured to drive rotation of the guide  14  upon receipt of a signal from a control system. Rotation of the guide  14  may adjust the position of the vehicles  12  relative to one another, thereby providing an illusion of one vehicle  12  passing another during a race. As will be described below, in certain embodiments, rotation of the guide  14  may not adjust the position of the vehicles  12 . For example, in certain embodiments, the vehicles  12  may not be rotationally coupled to the guide  14 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the arms  16  of the vehicles  12  are rotationally coupled to the pivot  34  to enable individual, selective rotation of the vehicles  12  about the guide axis  22  via a second actuator  38  (e.g., a respective second actuator for each vehicle  12  or group of vehicles  12 ). As described above with respect to the guide  14 , the second actuator  38  drives rotation of the arm  16  about the guide axis  22  to adjust the position of the vehicle  12  relative to the other vehicles  12 . Accordingly, the vehicles  12  may be individually rotated about the guide axis  22  to independently adjust the position of the vehicles  12  relative to one another. However, in certain embodiments, the arms  16  may be coupled to the guide  14  such that rotation of the guide  14  about the guide axis  22  drives rotation of each of the arms  16  about the guide axis  22 . For example, the guide  14  may include a pin  40  driven by a biasing member  42 . In certain embodiments, the biasing member  42  includes a linear actuator (e.g., a screw drive, a magnetic drive, an electric drive) that applies a force to drive the pin  40  toward the arm  16 . The pin  40  may engage a recess  44  in the arm  16  and thereby removably couple the arm  16  to the guide  14 . As will be appreciated, the pins  40  may be positioned about a circumference of the guide  14  to enable the arms  16  to couple to the guide  14  at different circumferential positions about the circumference of the guide  14 . Rotation and support may be facilitated by bearing boxes  45  adjacent the arms. 
         [0035]    In certain embodiments, the arms  16  includes sensors  46  positioned on a top surface  48  of the arms  16  between the arms  16  and the guide  14 . However, it is understood that in embodiments where the arms  16  are positioned above the guide (e.g., relative to the track  18 ), that the sensors  46  may be positioned on a bottom surface of the arms  16  such that the sensors  46  are positioned between the arms  16  and the guide  14 . Moreover, in other embodiments, the sensors  46  may be positioned on the guide  14 . The sensors  46  are configured to detect the position of the arms  16  relative to the guide  14 . In other words, the sensors  46  are configured to detect the circumferential position of the arms  16  about the guide axis  22 . For example, the sensors  46  may include Hall effect sensors, capacitive displacement sensors, optical proximity sensors, inductive sensors, string potentiometers, electromagnetic sensors, or any other suitable sensor. In certain embodiments, the sensors  46  are configured to send a signal indicative of a position of the arm  16  to a control system (e.g., local and/or remote). Accordingly, the sensors  46  may be utilized to adjust the position of the arms  16  about the guide axis  22  and/or to facilitate engagement (or disengagement) of the pins  40 . 
         [0036]    As mentioned above, the motion system  28  may include a control system  50  configured to control movement and/or rotation of the guide  14  and/or the arms  16 . The control system  50  includes a controller  52  having a memory  54  and one or more processors  56 . For example, the controller  52  may be an automation controller, which may include a programmable logic controller (PLC). The memory  54  is a non-transitory (not merely a signal), tangible, computer-readable media, which may include executable instructions that may be executed by the processor  56 . That is, the memory  54  is an article of manufacture configured to interface with the processor  56 . 
         [0037]    The controller  52  receives feedback from the sensors  46  and/or other sensors that detect the relative position of the motion system  28  along the track  18 . For example, the controller  52  may receive feedback from the sensors  46  indicative of the position of the arms  16 , and therefore the vehicles  12 , relative to the other arms  16 . Based on the feedback, the controller  52  may regulate operation of the racer  10  to simulate a race. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the controller  52  is communicatively coupled to the first actuator  36 , the second actuator  38 , and the biasing member  42 . Based on feedback from the sensors  46 , the controller  52  may instruct the first and second actuators  36 ,  38  to drive rotation of the guide  14  and/or the arms  16  to change the position of the vehicles  12  relative to one another. 
         [0038]    Variations in the arrangement of the arms  16  and the mechanism for driving the arms  16  in the operation direction  20  are also within the scope of the present disclosure. For instance, referring briefly to  FIG. 5 , each arm  16  may be individually driven such that at least some overlap occurs. In such an embodiment, the arms may connect in offsetting positions along the pivot  34  to facilitate such overlap.  FIG. 5  also illustrates an embodiment of the racer  10  without the guide  14  but including the body  32  and bogies  33 , which may be referred to as a bogie system  57 . 
         [0039]    Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the arms  16  may not have the same length (e.g., radial extent from the guide axis  22 ) or the vehicles  12  may be distanced differently along the lengths, thereby enabling the arms  16  to overlap one another as the arms  16  rotate about the guide axis  22  without having the vehicles  12  contact each other. Additionally, in some embodiments, the arms  16 A and/or  16 B may include a dogleg, a bend, or a curvature along a length of the arms  16 , such that when the arms  16  overlap, a distance between the body  32  of the vehicles  12  is reduced (e.g., the dogleg, the bend, and/or the curvature may enable the vehicles to overlap in a more compact configuration), as shown in  FIG. 6 . Accordingly, passengers may receive enhanced amusement from a perception that the vehicles  12  may collide as a result of the reduced distance. 
         [0040]    Returning now to the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the controller  52  may be configured to include virtual position thresholds and/or electronic stops that may block the vehicles  12  from contacting one another based on feedback received from the sensors  46 . In some embodiments, the arms  16  may include blocking members  58  extending from the arms  16  in a direction crosswise relative to a longitudinal axis of the arms  16 . The blocking members  58  are configured to act as mechanical stops, which block the arms  16  from coming within a predetermined distance of one another. For example, the predetermined distance may be a distance that blocks the vehicles  12  from contacting one another during operation. Moreover, the blocking members  58  may be positioned at any radial distance along the arms  16 , with respect to the guide axis  22 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the blocking members  58  are positioned at approximately one-fourth the radial extent of the arms  16 . However, in other embodiments, the blocking members  58  may be positioned at approximately one-third the radial extent of the arms  16 , approximately one-half the radial extent of the arms  16 , approximately three-fourths the radial extent of the arms  16 , or any other suitable distance from the guide axis  22 . As used herein, approximately refers to plus or minus five percent. Accordingly, the blocking members  58  may be configured to block the vehicles  12  from contacting one another during operation of the attraction. 
         [0041]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a vehicle coupling system  60  configured to couple the vehicles  12  to the arms  16 . In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle  12  includes a body  62  coupled to a vehicle pivot  64 . The vehicle pivot  64  may be driven to rotate about a vehicle axis  66  via a third actuator  68 . As a result, the body  62  may be rotated about the vehicle axis  66 , thereby enabling the rider to rotate about the vehicle axis  66  during operation of the attraction. For example, the body  62  may rotate about the vehicle axis  66  while the vehicle  12  approaches a turn or curved portion of the track  18 , thereby simulating a car steering into the curve. Moreover, a rotation sensor  70  may be positioned proximate to the third actuator  68  to determine the rotational position (e.g., the circumferential position) of the body  62  relative to the vehicle axis  66 . For example, the body  62  may be driven to rotate about the vehicle axis  66  in the first rotation direction  24  and the second rotation direction  26 . The rotation sensor  70  may output a signal to the controller  52  indicative of the rotation of the body  62 , thereby enabling the controller  52  to output signals to the third actuator  68  to rotate the body  62  to simulate driving along the track  18 . 
         [0042]    In the illustrated embodiment, the third actuator  68  is coupled to a platform  72  having rollers  74  positioned on the arm  16 . The rollers  74  enable the platform  72 , and therefore the body  62 , to move along the arm  16  in a first radial direction  76  and a second radial direction  78 . As used herein, the first radial direction  76  will refer to movement inwards and/or towards the guide axis  22 . Moreover, the second radial direction  78  will refer to movement outwards and/or away from the guide axis  22 . Enabling movement of the vehicle  12  along the arm  16  enables different motion configurations. For example, this may be utilized to simulate the illusion of the vehicle  12  attempting to “pass” the vehicle  12  positioned immediately in front of the vehicle  12 , as will be described in detail below. Moreover, movement of the vehicles  12  along the arm  16  may enable the vehicles  12  to get closer to one another during operation, thereby enhancing the excitement experienced by the rider. Additionally, the arms  16  may include a telescoping configuration that enables movement of the vehicles  12  (e.g., the body  62 ) in the first and second radial directions  76 ,  78  without the use of the rollers  74 . The arms  16  may include telescoping segments that may be powered by an actuator or other suitable device such that the vehicles  12  may move radially with respect to the guide axis  22 . For example, the arms  16  may be configured to extend in the second radial direction  78  such that the vehicles  12  move away from the guide axis  22  and retract in the first radial direction such that the vehicles  12  move toward the guide axis  22 . However, in some embodiments, the motion system  28  does not include features for movement of the vehicles  12  radially along the arms  16 . For example, the vehicles  12  may be rigidly or merely pivotably coupled to the arms  16 . 
         [0043]    As shown in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the body  62  is configured to move along the arm  16  via the rollers  74 . In certain embodiments, the rollers  74  may include an electric motor to drive (e.g., via a linkage) the vehicle  12  in the first and second radial directions  76 ,  78 . Moreover, an arm position sensor  80  may be positioned on the platform  72 . The arm position sensor  80  is configured to output a signal indicative of the radial position of the vehicle  12  along the arm  16 . For example, the arm position sensor  80  may be a capacitive displacement sensor that outputs a signal to the controller  52 . In certain embodiments, movement along the arm  16  may be utilized to simulate the vehicle  12  moving into position to pass another vehicle  12 . Moreover, while the illustrated embodiment includes the arm position sensor  80  on the platform  72 , in other embodiments the arm position sensor  80  may be positioned on the arm  16 . 
         [0044]    In still further embodiments, the body  62  may be configured to move in the first and second radial directions  76 ,  78  using an adjustable swash plate  81  as the arm  16 . For example,  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the vehicle coupling system  60  that utilizes the adjustable swash plate  81  and the rollers  74 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the adjustable swash plate  81  may move in a first vertical direction  82  and/or a second vertical direction  83  via one or more actuators  84 . Accordingly, rather than utilizing an electric motor to move the body  62  in the first and second radial directions  76 ,  78 , the one or more actuators  84  may adjust the position of the adjustable swash plate  81 , such that the body  62  moves in the first and second radial directions  76 ,  78  as a result of the gravitational forces (and centrifugal forces) acting on the body  62 . Such an embodiment may be desirable because riders may experience enhanced amusement as a result of the vehicle  12  rotating along an axis  85  (e.g., the axis  85  is defined by the operation direction  20 ), and thus moving with an additional degree of freedom. 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, the one or more actuators  84  may be coupled to the controller  52 , which may activate and/or deactivate the one or more actuators  84  to move the body  62  in the first and second radial directions  76 ,  78 . The controller  52  may receive feedback from the arm position sensor  80  to determine a position of the body  62  along the arm  16  (e.g., the adjustable swash plate  81 ), and send one or signals to the actuators  84  to adjust the position of the body  62  to a desired location. As discussed above, movement of the body  62  in the first and second radial directions  76 ,  78  may enable the vehicles  12  to move with respect to one another and create a perception that the vehicles  12  are racing one another. Additionally, in other embodiments, the adjustable swash plate  81  may be utilized to adjust a position of the guide  14 , which may enable the arms  16  to overlap with one another. 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  is a schematic of another embodiment of the racer  10  that may include multiple adjustable swash plates  81 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the adjustable swash plates  81  include rotatable plates  86 , which may be coupled to the arms  16 . In some embodiments, the rotatable plates  86  may form a ring along a perimeter of the adjustable swash plates  81 . The rotatable plates  86  may rotate with respect to the adjustable swash plates  81 , thereby rotating the arms  16  and the vehicles  12 . To rotate the rotatable plates  86 , motors  87  may supply power to a driving device  88  (e.g., gears, wheels, tires, and/or rotatable actuators), which may direct rotatable plates  86  in the first rotation direction  24  and/or the second rotation direction  26 . The adjustable swash plates  81  may each include one or more of the actuators  84 , which may enable movement of the vehicles  12  in the first vertical direction  82  and/or the second vertical direction  83 . Accordingly, each vehicle  12  may rotate in the first rotation direction  24  and/or the second rotation direction  26  independent from the other vehicles  12 , and each vehicle  12  may move in the first vertical direction  82  and/or the second vertical direction  83  independent from the other vehicles  12 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 10  is a top view of an embodiment of the racer  10  having three vehicles in which the vehicles  12  are traveling along the track  18  in the operation direction  20 . As shown, a first vehicle  90  is in a first place position  92 . While in the first place position  92 , the first vehicle  90  is at a first distance  94 , relative to the a moving axis  95  that is orthogonal to the intersection of the guide axis  22  and the operation direction  20  and extending along a plane defined by the surface  21 . As a result, the first vehicle  90  may be described as being in “first place” relative to a second vehicle  96  and a third vehicle  98 . Additionally, the second vehicle  96  is at a second place position  100 . While in the second place position  100 , the second vehicle  96  is at a second distance  102 , relative to the moving axis  95 . Accordingly, the second vehicle  96  may be described as being in “second place” relative to the first vehicle  90  and the third vehicle  98 . Furthermore, the third vehicle  98  is in a third place position  104 . While in the third place position  104 , the third vehicle  98  is at a third distance  106 , relative to the moving axis  95 . As a result, the third vehicle  98  may be described as being in “third place” relative to the first vehicle  90  and the second vehicle  96 . It will be understood that respective lengths of the first, second, and third distances  94 ,  102 ,  106  may vary to correspond to the first, second, and third place positions  92 ,  100 ,  104 . In other words, the first distance  94  corresponds to the first place position  92 , the second distance  102  corresponds to the second place position  100 , and the third distance  102  corresponds to the third place position  104 , notwithstanding the numeric values of the first, second, and third distances  94 ,  102 ,  106 . 
         [0048]    In the illustrated embodiment, the first vehicle  90  is at a first angle  108 , relative to the second vehicle  96 . As will be appreciated, the first angle  108  may be adjusted via the first actuator  36  (via coupling of the arms  16  to the guide  14 ) and/or via the second actuator  38 . As mentioned above, the second actuator  38  may be a yoke drive configured to engage corresponding gears of the arms  16 . In certain embodiments, the arms  16  may be individually rotatable about the guide axis  22  by selectively engaging individual arms  16  with the second actuator  38 . As a result, the first angle  108  may be adjusted during operation of the attraction. Moreover, the first vehicle  90  may be at a second angle  110 , relative to the third vehicle  98 . Additionally, the second vehicle  96  may be at a third angle  112 , relative to the third vehicle  98 . As will be described below, the relative angles between the first, second, and third vehicles  90 ,  96 ,  98  may be adjusted during operation of the attraction. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the first vehicle  90  is positioned at a distal end  114  of a first arm  116 . In other words, the rollers  74  may drive the platform  72  in the second radial direction  78  such that the first vehicle  90  is at a first radial distance  118  from the guide axis  22 . However, the second vehicle  96  is positioned at approximately a mid-point of a second arm  120  via movement in the first radial direction  76  by rollers  74 , for example. As a result, the second vehicle  96  is at a second radial distance  122  from the guide axis  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second radial distance  122  is less than the first radial distance  118 . However, in other embodiments, the first radial distance  118  may be smaller than the second radial distance  122 , or the first radial distance  118  may be equal to the second radial distance  122 . Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment, the third vehicle  98  is at a third radial distance  124  along a third arm  125  via movement in the first radial direction  76 . As shown, the third radial distance  124  is less than the first radial distance  118 , and greater than the second radial distance  122 . Accordingly, radial distance of the first, second, and third vehicles  90 ,  96 ,  98  may be adjusted relative to the guide axis  22 . As a result, the riders may experience enhanced excitement during operations because the vehicles  12  are configured to move in a variety of directions relative to the guide axis  22 . 
         [0050]    As described above, the arms  16  are configured to rotate about the guide axis  22  to simulate a race between the vehicles  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first vehicle  90  and the third vehicle  98  are positioned on a first side  126  of the track  18 . Moreover, the second vehicle  96  is positioned on a second side  128 . During operation of the attraction, the vehicles  12  may rotate about the guide axis  22 , and thereby move between the first and second sides  126 ,  128 . In certain embodiments, the vehicles  12  may be substantially aligned with the track  18 . Furthermore, movement from the first side  126  to the second side  128  may be driven by the second actuator  38  as the second actuator  38  selectively drives rotation of the arms  16 . However, in other embodiments, the arms  16  may be locked to the guide  14 , via the pin  40 , and the first actuator  36  may drive rotation of the guide  14  about the guide axis  22 , and thereby facilitate a corresponding rotation of the arms  16  about the guide axis  22 . Accordingly, the vehicles  12  may be driven to rotate about the guide axis  22  to simulate movement along a raceway during operation of the attraction. 
         [0051]      FIG. 11  is a top view of an embodiment of the racer  10  in which the first vehicle  90  is in the first place position  92  and the third vehicle  98  is in the second place position  100 . Comparing the position of the first, second, and third vehicles  90 ,  96 ,  98  in  FIG. 10  to  FIG. 11  the first vehicle  90  remains in the first place position  92 , but has moved to the second side  128  of the track  18 . Moreover, the third vehicle  98  has moved to the second place position  100 . Additionally, the second vehicle  96  has moved to the third place position  104 . In the illustrated embodiment, rotation of the guide  14  about the guide axis  22  may drive the vehicles  12  to rotate about the guide axis  22 , via engagement of the pins  40 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the first vehicle  90  rotates about the guide axis  22  in the second rotation direction  26  to move to the second side  128 . Moreover, the first angle  108  remains substantially unchanged between  FIGS. 8 and 9 . However, in other embodiments, the second actuator  38  may drive individual movement of the arms  16  about the guide axis  22 . In other words, the first angle  108 , second angle  110 , and third angle  112  may change as the vehicles  12  move between the first place position  92 , the second place position  100 , and the third place position  104 . 
         [0052]    Furthermore, as the vehicles  12  move between the first place position  92 , the second place position  100 , and the third place position  104 , the vehicles  12  may rotate about the vehicle axis  66  to orient a front end  130  of the vehicles  12  along the operation direction  20 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 11 , the track  18  is substantially straight, and as a result the front ends  130  of the vehicles  12  are oriented along the path of the track  18 . However, in other embodiments, the front end  130  may be not oriented along the operation direction  20 . For example, the vehicles  12  may be configured to “spin out” or “drift” along a sharp curve. Accordingly, the rotation of the vehicles  12  may be controlled to point the front ends  130  away from the operation direction  20  (e.g., in an opposite direction, in a direction substantially perpendicular). Rotation of the vehicles  12  about the vehicle axis  66  may enhance excitement for riders and increase variability of the outcomes of the races between the vehicles  12 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 12  is a top view of the racer  10  in which the track  18  is arcuate. As shown, the track  18  includes a bend or curve to simulate a turn. Because the operation direction  20  is substantially along the curve of the track  18 , the first vehicle  90  and the third vehicle  98  are driven to rotate about the respective vehicle axis  66  to orient the front ends  130  along the operation direction  20 . However, as mentioned above, the second vehicle  96  may be in a spin out position  132 , as shown in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 12 . As shown, rotation about the vehicle axis  66  of the second vehicle  96  orients the front end  130  out of alignment with the operation direction  20 . Accordingly, the riders may experience the sensation of losing control of their vehicle  12  around the curve. In certain embodiments, the controller  52  may be configured to direct rotation of the second vehicle  96  about the guide axis  22  toward the third position  104  to simulate the impact of the spin out during the race with the first and third vehicles  90 ,  98 . In other words, vehicles  12  that spin-out may fall behind the other vehicles  12  in the race. 
         [0054]    Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the blocking members  58  of the first vehicle  90  and the third vehicle  98  are in contact with one another. As described above, the blocking members  58  are positioned along the arms  16  to block contact between the vehicles  12  as the vehicles  12  rotate about the guide axis  22 . For example, the blocking members  58  may be positioned on the arms  16  to enable the arms  16  to come within a predetermined angle of one another. In certain embodiments, the predetermined angle may enable rotation of the vehicles  12  about the vehicle axis  66  without contacting the adjacent vehicle  12 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 13  is a top view of an embodiment of the racer  10  in which a first guide  134  is coupled to a second guide  136  via an attachment member  138 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first guide  134  includes a single vehicle  12  and the second guide  136  includes a single vehicle  12 . However, in other embodiments, the first and second guides  134 ,  136  may include 2, 3, 4, 5, or any suitable number of vehicles  12 . Moreover, in other embodiments the first and second guides  134 ,  136  may not have the same number of vehicles  12 . For example, the first guide  134  may include two vehicles  12  while the second guide  136  includes a single vehicle  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment member  138  is configured to couple the second guide  136  to the first guide  134 , thereby enabling riders in the first and second guides  134 ,  136  to race one another. For example, the second guide  136  may couple to the first guide  134  during operation of the attraction to simulate the second guide  136  catching up to the first guide  134 . Thereafter, the vehicles  12  of the respective first and second guides  134 ,  136  may rotate about the respective guide axis  22  as described in detail above. Moreover, while the illustrated embodiment includes the first and second guides  134 ,  136  coupled to one another, in other embodiments first and second bogie systems  35  may couple together during operation of the attraction via the attachment member  138 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 14  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method  140  for controlling the racer  10  during operation. At block  142 , a plurality of the vehicles  12  may be directed in the operation direction  120  along the track  18  using the guide  14 . Additionally, at block  144 , one or more vehicles  12  of the plurality of vehicles  12  may be rotated about the guide axis  22  such that a position of the one or more vehicles  12  of the plurality of vehicles  12  may be adjusted with respect to the remaining vehicles  12  of the plurality of vehicles  12 . In some embodiments, movement of the vehicles  12  in the operation direction  120  (e.g., gross movement) may be automated (e.g., a ride controller moves the guide  14  along the track  18  at a predetermined speed). However, in certain embodiments, movement of the vehicles  12  about the guide axis  22  (e.g., fine movement) may be controlled by the riders, themselves. Accordingly, the riders may ultimately have control over a position of the vehicles  12  with respect to one another at the end of the ride. 
         [0057]    Additionally, a starting position of the vehicle  12  may be determined at by the controller  52 , for example. The sensor  46  may transmit a signal to the controller  52  indicative of the arms  16  relative location along the circumference of the guide  14 . In some embodiments, the controller  52  may determine the starting position (e.g., the first place position  92 , the second place position  100 , the third place position  104 ) based on the signal from the sensor  46 . The operation direction  20  may also be determined. For example, sensors positioned on the guide  14  may determine the relative location of the guide  14  along the track  18 , and thereby determine the shape of the track  18  and the operation direction  20 . The controller  52  may send a signal to the vehicle  12  to rotate about the vehicle axis  66 . For example, the track  18  may include a curved portion that adjusts the operation direction  20 . The controller  52  may instruct the vehicle  12  to rotate about the vehicle axis  66  to align the front end  130  of the vehicle  12  with the operation direction  20 . Moreover, in other embodiments, the controller  52  may instruct the vehicle  12  to rotate about the vehicle axis  66  to simulate a spin out or out-of-control condition. Further, a desired position of the vehicle  12  may be predetermined by the controller  52  (e.g., as opposed to controlled by the riders themselves). For example, the controller  52  may determine the first vehicle  90  will finish in the second place position  100 . The controller  52  may then instruct the vehicle  12  to rotate about the guide axis  22 . For example, the controller  52  may determine that the first vehicle  90  will finish in the second position  100  after starting in the third place position  104 . The controller  52  may send a signal to the second actuator  38  to drive rotation of the first vehicle  90  about the guide axis  22  to move the first vehicle  90  into the second place position  100 . 
         [0058]    As described in detail above, the motion system  28  of the racer  10  may drive rotational movement of the vehicles  12  about the guide axis  22 . For example, the second actuator  38  may be configured to drive rotation of the arms  16  coupled to the vehicles  12 . Furthermore, in other embodiments, the arms  16  may be coupled to the guide  14  to enable rotation of the vehicles  12  while the guide  14  is driven to rotate about the guide axis  22 . In certain embodiments, the vehicles  12  are configured to rotate about the vehicle axis  66 . Rotation about the vehicle axis  66  enables alignment of the front end  130  of the vehicles  12  with the operation direction  20 , thereby enhancing the simulation of driving along the track  18 . Moreover, rotation about the vehicle axis  66  may facilitate spin-outs or drifting around curves during operation of the attraction. In certain embodiments, the control system  50  may be configured to control movement of the vehicles  12  during operation of the attraction. For example, the controller  52  may send or receive signals to drive rotation of the vehicles  12  about the guide axis  22  and/or about the vehicle axis  66 . Accordingly, the racer  10  may simulate a race between vehicles  12  to provide entertainment to riders utilizing the attraction. 
         [0059]    While only certain features of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure.