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Toyota's Engineers Embark on Joyous Journey - Pursuing Happiness Throughout FunVE's Grand Adventure

Toyota Engineering Society-spawned ride becomes established attraction at Bandai Namco's VS PARK amusement centers. We chronicled FUNVE's progress within BE creation, Toyota's initiative for cultivating new businesses.

Toyota's Engineers Embark on FunVE's Expedition: Pursuing Joy for Everyone Everywhere
Toyota's Engineers Embark on FunVE's Expedition: Pursuing Joy for Everyone Everywhere

Toyota's Engineers Embark on Joyous Journey - Pursuing Happiness Throughout FunVE's Grand Adventure

In a unique collaboration, FUNVE - a cutting-edge amusement ride - has made its debut at Bandai Namco's VS PARK Yokohama World Porters. This innovative attraction was developed by the Monozukuri Challenge Team at the Toyota Engineering Society (TES).

At VS PARK, two new FUNVE attractions have been introduced: Bomb! Bomb! Bulldozer and Puru-Puru Slalom. In Bomb! Bomb! Bulldozer, players aim to push balls into their opponent's territory, while Puru-Puru Slalom challenges riders to steer around obstacles to reach the finish line without dropping balls on trays.

One of the key features of FUNVE is its streamlined operations, which no longer require the use of AR glasses. Instead, riders wear AR glasses and operate the vehicle within a virtual space. Going off course or being hit by enemies causes the kart to spin on the spot, adding an exciting element to the ride.

Since its launch, over 10,000 customers have tried FUNVE, and improvements have been made based on their feedback. For instance, the change from steering wheel and pedal to joystick controls was among the modifications introduced. Additionally, handles were added to the rear of the karts for easier movement by staff, and the control ECU was improved, with poor wiring connections being fixed.

FUNVE is powered by electricity in a simple EV setup. The ride was conceived from the idea of creating a real-life amusement ride similar to kart games. The team behind FUNVE aimed to create an interactive mobility experience that would bring smiles to children's faces, combining technology, passion, and a playful spirit.

The development of FUNVE was a rapid process, with the team completing the entire development cycle, including prototyping and testing, in just three months. From July 5, VS PARK Yokohama World Porters has added these attractions as the centerpiece of its summer holiday program. FUNVE was also added to the lineup at VS PARK for a limited run in December 2024.

As FUNVE continues to evolve, the team is looking for more partners to get on board for future development. The success of this collaboration between Toyota and Bandai Namco serves as a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in the amusement industry.

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