Disney Files Patent for “Real” Lightsaber
One of the many aspects of Star Wars that has been pushed back into prominence after the sale to Disney is the presence in their theme parks. Much ado has been made of the Star Wars lands coming soon to Orlando and Anaheim due to the new rides and attractions that Star Wars fans will be able to enjoy. But also worth getting excited about are the smaller aspects of these lands. Being able to buy a drink in a Cantina, being able to “use the force” to interact with objects within the land, and according to a newly discovered patent, possibly wield a lightsaber.
Patent Yogi recently discovered a patent filed by Disney back in 2015 that could hint at just that. Being able to wield a “real” lighstaber to deflect blaster bolts fired at you. It sounds crazy, but it may actually be true. The patent seems to indicate a system that uses visible and invisible light, drones, and a sensor vest to simulate the process of lightsaber vs. blaster combat. Essentially, the drone (likely dressed up as a droid) would fire bolts at you, with the sensor in the saber itself picking up the infrared signal and reflecting them back at the drone. The simulation would need to occur in some sort of fabricated fog or mist so the light could be picked up (similar to anyone who has ever picked up a flashlight and some baby powder to play flashlight lightsaber battles). The wielder of the lightsaber would also seemingly wear a vest with sensors in it that would vibrate if you miss the bolt simulating a hit similar to a laser tag vest.
The entire process seems like it could be a lot of fun. As to whether this ever winds up in a themepark remains to be seen. Disney frequently files patents for new attraction technology that never see the light of day. When they design a new piece of tech, they patent it so competitors can’t use it, but often don’t deploy it in their parks either due to expense or it being too complicated to get into the hands of the millions of guests that come into their parks every year. So, just because they have patented this doesn’t mean that we’ll be taking out imperial probes as we walk around Star Wars land in a few years. But, it does mean it’s a possibility, which is exciting in it’s own right.
Check out Patent Yogi for the full story and to view the entire patent.
Companies trademark things like this all of the time. Just because they trademarked it doesn’t mean that it’s something that will happen. Most likely their just trying to protect their assets and making sure nobody else beat them to it.
Yes, and that’s exactly what Tim said in the article. 🙂
You know half the people that click on articles don’t read them. C’mon. I’ll even downvote myself.
Its not a trademark. Its a patent. Two completely different things…
This could be…challenging.
Its not a trademark. Its a patent. Two completely different things.
Spoiler Alert! The photo of Luke and Mickey is from a flashback scene in Episode VIII in which Kylo Ren takes out Padawan Mickey. Luke is in his civilian clothes because it was his day off and he just happened to step back into the office for something he forgot.
Hm just make one like that actually works lol
a mickey saber to fight darth goofy and then a Mc coke Donald to celebrate (understand Mc Donald? how does anybody though it before?)
Finally!
Someone at Disney is reading this article and thinking…”Hmmmm…flashlights and baby powder might be the way to go. Definitely more cost effective.”