• Products
  • Industries
  • IIoT & Solutions
  • Service
  • Company

Goosebumps in the haunted house thanks to ifm

7/13/23

Fun fairs feature a wide variety of attractions and rides. While some cause a sense of euphoria among the visitors, others are meant to give them the chills. But where exactly does ifm fit into this picture? Here you can find out more!

Fairs have been around for hundreds of years. Over time, they have changed a lot to become what we know them as today. The technology that is used in the dozens of rides has become indispensable. Whether on the roller coaster, the Ferris wheel or the haunted house: A wide variety of technical components are needed to ensure proper functioning and the safety of the visitors. The Bremen folk festival “Osterwiese” with its many rides is no exception.

It has been held annually before, during and after Easter in Bremen since 1946, with a break on Good Friday. More than a million people visit the 16-day event each year, in which over 200 showpeople are involved. This makes it one of the biggest German folk festivals – and ifm is a small part of this success.

Among the carousels, raffle stalls, rides and sales booths is a haunted house that will give visitors the creeps. For this, the ghostly figures have to be presented in the right way. In addition to deep darkness and dense fog, the figures are moved by means of special installations. When the supposed ghosts appear as if from nowhere, they are accompanied by lighting effects and loud noises to frighten the visitors where they least expect it. Timing is essential!

In the Osterwiese haunted house the right timing is ensured by ifm. With the help of ifm’s retro-reflective sensors,which are attached to the ghosts’ installations, the process of scaring is started. If a visitor passes through the invisible light barrier, this triggers the command that starts the movement of the respective ghost. Thanks to this technical equipment, the figures always react at the right time and really round off the visit to the haunted house.

Picture 1: ifm retro-reflective sensor. Picture 2: If the light barrier is interrupted, this triggers a command.