I only mentioned it because even back in the 80's we had trackless rides (UoE) and in 90's the technology existed for ToT along with the continuation of UoE's system in TGMR. I didn't look for this argument, I just talked about how terrific ToT was (and still is) and pointed out that it was a trackless system. I didn't mention whether or not the guidance system was more versatile since then, because, of course it is. But, it seems like every time I post something people think I am fighting them. If I'm paranoid... I certainly am not alone.
This is where the terminology used for "Trackless" falls apart.
ToT, UoE, and GMR(I think) used a guided "Trackless" system, where a wire underneath the floor would direct the vehicle from location to location. In all honesty, it's pretty much a tracked system that's just hidden from the guests.
These new rides use a Local Positioning System, where onboard computers can find the exact location of each car using location beacons, Bluetooth, wifi, and various other technologies. These ride systems are the most dynamic of any ride system. You could (theoretically) drop one of these in a standard warehouse with the proper infrastructure and program any path you wanted to without ever laying any physical "track." Trackless.
This is another situation like Capacity, where one word means different things to different folks. LPS is not Wire-Guided, but both are "Trackless" to the guest. LPS is truly Trackless, Wire-Guided is tracked with a wire.
Do note that Wire-Guided can still do some cool stuff that standard tracks aren't as good at - see most of UoE, with the merging of the vehicles into single-file lines, splitting into showrooms, rotating on turntables, etc.
