US Patent 9610510 Sensing and managing vehicle behavior based on occupant awareness

A method for controlling a ride experience through a ride space of an amusement park ride. The method includes, with a sensor mounted on an automated trackless vehicle being controlled to travel along a first ride path, sensing passenger data for a passenger. The method involves processing the passenger data to determine a passenger state at a particular point in time during the ride experience. The method includes determining a location of the automated trackless vehicle on the first ride path. The method involves, based on the passenger state and the location of the automated trackless vehicle on the first ride path, determining a second ride path for the automated trackless vehicle to move through the ride space. The method includes controlling the automated trackless vehicle to move off the first ride path and along the second ride path, e.g., to alter the passenger's state to enhance the ride experience.