Roller coaster manufacturer Maurer Rides has unveiled a new passenger transport system that combines innovative ride technology with practical transportation, opening up new possibilities for theme parks, resorts and urban destinations.
Announced on 27 October 2026, the Spike PM360 is an electrically powered transport system designed to carry passengers along unusual track layouts, including steep, vertical and overhead sections, while keeping the cabin in an upright seating position.
The Munich-based manufacturer believes the technology could transform conventional transport connections into attractions in their own right, with the track structure becoming a distinctive architectural feature.
What Is the Spike PM360?
The Spike PM360 is a rail-guided passenger transport system developed by Maurer Rides using its existing Spike technology.
Unlike conventional transport systems that generally follow relatively straightforward routes, the PM360 has been designed to accommodate a much wider variety of track configurations. Its passenger cabin features a 360-degree pivoting suspension system that compensates for changes in track inclination.
This means the cabin can remain horizontally aligned as the track travels through steep inclines, vertical sections and even overhead layouts, allowing passengers to remain seated upright throughout the journey.
The concept could offer operators new ways to connect different areas of a resort or attraction, particularly where buildings and destinations sit at different elevations.
How Does the Technology Work?
At the heart of the Spike PM360 is Maurer Rides’ rack-and-pinion drive technology, which the company says provides positive transmission of drive force regardless of the track gradient.
Each vehicle has its own drive and braking system, meaning additional drive and braking components are not required along the track. According to Maurer Rides, this approach can simplify infrastructure and maintenance requirements.
The system also uses an electric drive that operates quietly and produces no local emissions during operation. Energy can be recovered during braking, providing another feature for operators considering the system for transport applications.
The pivoting cabin is particularly important because it allows the track to take unconventional routes without requiring passengers to sit at the same angle as the track itself.
Although the system draws on technology associated with roller coaster engineering, Maurer Rides is positioning the PM360 as a transport solution as well as a potential standalone attraction.
Could It Be Used at Theme Parks?
One of the most interesting possibilities is how the Spike PM360 could be incorporated into future theme park developments.
Theme parks and resorts often need to move visitors between hotels, entrance areas, attractions and other facilities. A transport system capable of travelling through unusual track layouts could offer an alternative to conventional shuttles or elevated transport routes.
Rather than simply moving guests from one location to another, the journey itself could become part of the visitor experience.
Potential applications identified by Maurer Rides include resort shuttle connections, routes through urban districts and standalone attractions designed around the track structure.
For theme park operators, this could create opportunities to combine transportation, architecture and entertainment in a single installation.
However, Maurer Rides has not announced a specific UK theme park installation for the PM360 in its launch announcement.
Track Layouts That Go Beyond Conventional Designs
The flexibility of the Spike PM360 is another major part of the concept.
Maurer Rides says the system can accommodate track layouts beyond conventional circles and ovals. Its examples include a closed heart-shaped track and a dramatic spearhead-like structure extending into the sky.
These designs could allow developers to create visually distinctive installations that become landmarks within a resort or destination.
The track could therefore serve two purposes: carrying passengers between locations and creating an architectural centrepiece that visitors want to experience.
This approach reflects the manufacturer’s concept of “Transportainment” — combining passenger transportation with entertainment.
What Is Transportainment?
Transportainment is Maurer Rides’ term for transport systems that make the journey an experience rather than simply a way of reaching a destination.
The company is applying its experience in roller coaster engineering to new mobility applications, with the aim of making transport more engaging for passengers.
Maurer Rides CEO Jörg Beutler explained that the system could help operators connect locations at different elevations while working within challenging space and architectural requirements.
The ability to incorporate vertical track sections while keeping passengers upright is central to this vision.
For theme parks, the concept could be particularly interesting because it brings together two familiar elements of the industry: moving people efficiently and creating memorable experiences.
When Will the Spike PM360 Be Available?
Maurer Rides confirmed that the Spike PM360 is now available for project enquiries.
The system is based on the company’s modular Spike platform, which is also used for its roller coaster technology. Maurer Rides stated that ten Spike installations worldwide were either operating or under construction at the time of the announcement.
However, the manufacturer has not confirmed a launch date for a specific PM360 installation, nor has it announced a confirmed customer or opening location.
It remains to be seen where the first projects will appear and whether theme parks will adopt the system as a dedicated attraction or as part of their wider transport infrastructure.
A New Direction for Ride Technology?
The Spike PM360 demonstrates how technology developed for the attractions industry can potentially be applied beyond traditional roller coasters.
By combining powered vehicles, flexible track layouts and a cabin designed to remain level, Maurer Rides is proposing a different approach to moving passengers through resorts and other destinations.
For theme park fans, the most intriguing possibility is that a transport connection could become an attraction in its own right, rather than simply serving a practical purpose.
Whether the concept becomes a familiar sight at theme parks remains to be seen, but the announcement offers an interesting glimpse into how future attractions and transport systems could evolve.
Source: Maurer Rides – From People Mover to Landmark
This article is based on information released by Maurer Rides. No specific UK installation has been confirmed in the manufacturer’s announcement.
Follow UK Theme Park Spy on Facebook. Stay up to date with the latest news, ride updates, construction progress, events, and exclusive offers
Be the First to Hear the Latest Theme Park News
From ride announcements to park updates and visitor guides, we cover it all. Add us as a Preferred Source in Google to make sure you never miss our latest stories.
Click here and tick UKThemeParkSpy.com to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.
