We're increasingly seeing stories suggesting that robots could be the future of theme parks. And while I'm all for some impressive technology, I'm not entirely convinced we should hand the keys over to the machines just yet.
The latest example comes from Adventure World in Japan, where two incredibly realistic robot penguins are swimming alongside actual penguins — and apparently fooling visitors in the process.
The robot rockhopper and gentoo penguins can flap their flippers, change direction, and dive underwater. One visitor even thought they were real.
Which is either an incredible achievement... or proof that penguins are getting dangerously good at outsourcing their jobs.
And this isn't an isolated thing.
Last week near Seoul in South Korea, Galaxy Robot Park had the grand opening of a huge 16,500-square-metre entertainment venue built around artificial intelligence and robotics. This was followed by another spate of robot theme park stories in the international press. Meanwhile, robots seem to be everywhere in the news, from increasingly impressive humanoid machines to robot competitions and Olympic-style events.
The message we're increasingly hearing is clear: robots are the future.
And apparently, that could include theme parks.
Now, don't get me wrong. Robot penguins? Brilliant. Giant robots? Could be fun. Clever animatronics and AI experiences? Absolutely.
But can robots replace the actual thrill of a theme park?
No chance.
You can't replicate that feeling of hanging off the outside bank of Hyperia, looking down and wondering why you voluntarily paid money to experience this.
That's what theme parks are about: adrenaline, atmosphere and collecting credits.
So yes, bring on the robot penguins.
But the only robots I really want to see taking over a theme park are a horde of robot Mandrills patrolling the grounds below Mandrill Mayhem, checking fast passes, ejecting queue jumpers, and generally making MM even cooler.
Now that is the future.
💬 Thoosie ChatWhat do you reckon?