MODULE 02 / DRIVE UNIT

100% traction
Anywhere on the track.

While classical roller coasters draw their energy from the first drop, every Spike vehicle carries its own drive. The rack-and-pinion drive transmits its force by positive locking - at every moment, at every point on the track. This is the basis for everything Spike makes possible: acceleration over 1g even uphill, programmable ride profiles, and a track layout that follows the story instead of gravity.
OPERATING PRINCIPLE

How the Spike drive works

 

01 / 100% traction

Positive locking, not friction

One or more electrically driven drive gears engage the rack on the track - no tire drive, no friction, no slip. The driving force is available at 100% and at any position, independent of weather, wetness, or load.
02 / All onboard

Power and control onboard

Every vehicle carries its own power supply and control. The track stays passive - no external drives, brakes, or block sections. This makes every vehicle autonomous and the track infrastructure simple.
03 / Software

A shared control core

All drive variants use the same Software-Defined Dynamics core. Ride behavior is defined by software - reproducible, programmable, and upgradeable via updates.
THE MODULES IN THIS LAYER

Three drive systems
for the entire platform.

 

Small
Spike Product 02

Small drive unit

For the Spike Rider Family:
Developed for the lightweight vehicles of the Spike Rider family. Enables accelerations of over 1g and is the platform's proven foundation, running in ten Spike Racing installations worldwide. Compact, efficient, proven.

Used in:
Spike Racing     Spike Tandem      Spike Train      Spike Cargo Light

Large / Redundant
20250613 Drifter .1

Large drive unit with full redundancy

For large and heavy vehicles:
Designed for the large, heavy applications of the platform - from the thrill coasters of the Spike Fun family to the passenger transport vehicles of the Spike Mobility family. Through the dual rack of the large track, it delivers twice the driving force and full redundancy. The configuration is adapted to each application - for example, to the laterally pivoting 360° cabin of the PM360.

Used in:
Spike ASM Launch  -  Spike Wheelie   -  Spike X-Fly  -   Spike Drifter    -  Spike Surfin  -  Spike PM360  -  Spike PM360 Open-Air  - Spike Cargo Heavy

In the concept phase
Spike Cargo Port Image.7(1)

Horizontal-track drive unit

A dedicated drive unit for the horizontal track is in the concept phase - designed for particularly high loads. It delivers up to twice the driving force of the large vertical-track unit and is likewise redundant. This opens up applications such as container transport.

Eingesetzt in:

Spike POD
Spike Cargo Container

RELATED MODULES

Working with other layers

 

01 / Module 01

Track & Supports

The track's rack engages the Spike drive by positive locking. Each track system has a matching drive unit.
02 / Module 04

Controls / SDD

The software core that defines ride behavior. Programmable, reproducible, and upgradeable via updates.
RELATED INSIGHTS

Inspiration for
coaster concepts.

More Insights

06 Spike Asm

Spike ASM Drive Outperforms Formula 1 in Power Density

Formula 1 racing cars are designed for maximum acceleration. To achieve this, their engine power must be high and their weight low. Their power density also achieves outstanding values of over 1.3 hp per kg of vehicle weight.
With over 1.5 hp/kg, the Spike ASM drive unit is built even more efficiently and is therefore unsurpassed as a track vehicle. An average car weighing 2000 kg would need 3000 hp for the same power density. What does this enormous power mean for roller coaster construction?