Using prerendered chunks of track and a digital ruler, you can shape the path of their virtual roller coaster, bobsled track or jet flight. (Should you draw something that’s impossible to perform, the system will guide and correct you.)

As for the simulation itself, your fate is in the hands of an industrial robot arm from Kuka Robotics, like you’ve seen in car plants. We can only assume that the robot shakes you at high velocities until you feel dizzy or sick, all while fans occasionally blow air at your face to simulate velocity.

Several years back, I tested a similar build-your-own coaster ride at DisneyQuest. Some effects were actually pretty wonderful, but the customisation was fairly limited and the simulators were far more typical. Knowing my well-being is in the grasp of a robot that could literally destroy me makes the whole prospect a lot more exciting. [CNN]

I guess it’s more Burning Man carnival ride than up and down wooden horse carousel — but still pretty damn cool. [Popular Mechanics]

TrekMovie says that the ride will open in phases, with the Vegas mayor claiming that the first phase will even open THIS WEEK, in time for the premiere of the new movie. It closed last year.

The main part of the ride seems to be aimed to open some time in 2010, and follow up the introductory space themed bar and restaurant with stuff from the original series and the new movie.

Instead of the Hilton, however, it will reportedly open at the Neonopolis in downtown. I wish the original was still open, because I would seriously consider having a wedding there. I’d have to find another wife, of course. [Trek Movie via TV Squad - Image Credit]

By artist Greg Brotherton, the same guy who gave us the vacuum-inspired minotaur robot, The Migraine Machine spins around its doomed pilot, who spins the opposite direction in dizzy delirium. [Brotron via Super Punch]

The Spring weather I am experiencing has really put me in a summer mindset. The other day it was grilling and today it’s all about amusement parks.

So, my question to you is: what is the best amusement park ride you have ever been on and why?

The view from the Singapore Flyer, which measures 150m tall, is supposed to be astounding, and I’m incredibly curious about their crazy observation pods, each of which is air conditioned and holds 28 people. 28 people per 28 pods that suddenly stopped spinning last night after fires broke out in the control room.

The 173 people had to be rappelled down from the capsules, starting from those closest to the bottom. Those who had to wait the longest for rescue efforts were given food, water and methods of relieving themselves. According to commenters at the Straits Times, those at the top received virtually nothing—since it was much harder to communicate with ground crews from about 42-stories up.

This isn’t even the first time the Flyer’s broken down since it’s grand opening eight months ago. It stopped thanks to a braking system malfunction in July, and got stuck earlier this month for five hours (on Dec. 4) due to bad weather. So, Gizmodo readers, I leave it up to you. Assuming they turn it back on before I leave, should I give it a go? I guess if it does break down, we can all look forward to more pictures of me looking uncomfortable. [Straits Times]

Yes, you can own the awesome Break Dance ride for a mere US$299,000. Too much for you? Well, how about the Bumper Cars? That’s only US$125,000. There are loads of rides available, with everything from a Tilt-a-Whirl to a Water Flume to a Pirate Ship, all for rock-bottom prices. The only ride not up for sale is the famous Cyclone roller coaster, which is staying open and giving people permanent back problems for the foreseeable future. At least we’ll still have that.

Someone buy a bunch of these and open up an alternate Astroland somewhere. Please? [Rides 4 U via Brooklyn Vegan]

If you are fortunate enough to actually ride in the Walking Beast, don’t expect heart-pounding, edge of your seat thrills. Its Chevy V8 engine only musters up enough power to move the steel behemoth along at around 8 kph–although it does shake the ground up to 150 metres away with each step. Montesano is planning on making some upgrades to the Walking Beast in the near future, including an elevator system to load passengers. Perhaps he should start touring the country offering rides at US$10 a pop–sort of like a nerdy adult version of pony rides at a state fair. [Pop Sci]

Essentially, you’re strapped in to a few bungee cords, pulled down really low and then released, flinging you flailing 7.5 metres into the air. Hopefully, you land on your feet.

Made by a few different Chinese manufacturers, this bad boy hasn’t really caught on in the states for whatever reason. They may not be legal due to how obviously dangerous they are, or perhaps all of our county fairs are run by hand-wringing wussocrats. In either case, it’s disappointing. If I want to die in a spectacular carnival accident, that’s my prerogative, dammit. Let’s bring these things Stateside. [BallerHouse via Oh Gizmo!]