Robots 'armed' with digital signage set to storm the high seas.

Gigantic robotic arms wielding 100-inch digital signage screens are set to take to the high seas next year aboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships.
The robot arms will move the screens to match the shipboard evening show's music and choreography while still synchronizing each screen's display to form a cohesive image as part of the line's high-tech new entertainment venues.
Cruise line Royal Caribbean International's new Quantum-Class ships are getting mammoth new entertainment venues — called Two70 for the 270-degree panoramic sea views provided by floor-to-ceiling glass walls that reach almost three decks high at the stern of the ship — in which even the venue's glass walls become part of the entertainment, displaying projections of that encircle the room, according to the RCI website.
"We are doing something that has never been done before," RCI Executive Entertainment Producer Bob Kerns said in a video posted to the RCI website about the robotics and digital signage project.
Two70's technology, theatrical lighting and sound equipment are intended to create "a completely enthralling evening for guests," which will culminate in "the most incredible reveal of all," the website said. Two70's ceiling will house six robot arms controlling 100-inch LED screens that will extend down and into the venue, featuring video and imagery that can virtually and literally jump from screen to screen.



According to CruiseCritic.com, the Quantum of the Seas will be the first of three 167,800-ton, 4,180-passenger ships in the Quantum Class to debut, launching in November 2014.
The new ships also will continue Royal Caribbean's heavy use of digital signage throughout its vessels, with digital signage software from Denver-based Four Winds Interactive continuing to power some displays. (FWI does not appear to be involved with the robotics project, however.)
The new ship class also includes other high-tech touches — such as "Virtual Balcony" displays providing real-time views of the ocean to interior staterooms that normally would not allow an ocean view — but the swinging robotic arms take things to an entirely different level.
"In terms of the world of robotics, other than things that are going on on Mars, this is the most complex robotics project on the planet right now," Andy Flessas, president of project partner Robotic Arts, said in the RCI video.