Experiment Setup

• MythBusters recreated Fruit Ninja video game in abandoned warehouse
• Constructed platform tower for "ninja" to safely slice fruit thrown from below
• Plastic sheeting on floor to contain fruit carnage
• Professional jugglers from San Francisco Circus Center hired for precise fruit throwing
• Goal: Match virtual game physics where fruit reaches apex at perfect height

First Sword Test - Adam Savage

• One minute time limit to cut as much fruit as possible
• Benchmark goal: 100 cuts (Adam's virtual game score)
• Initial difficulties: fruit moving faster than virtual equivalent, missing targets
• Problems identified:
  • Jugglers threw fruit too slowly (insufficient rate)
  • Some fruit thrown too close to Adam (difficult to cut)
• Final score: 30 out of ~100 pieces thrown
• Performance significantly lower than virtual game

Adjustments and Second Test

• Jugglers repositioned further back for optimal fruit arc
• Improved throwing technique to hit apex at ideal height
• Adam showed immediate improvement from first fruit
• Better coordination between jugglers and ninja
• Concentration and stamina flagged toward end of test

Key Differences: Virtual vs Real-Life Fruit Ninja

• Difficulty: Much harder to hit flying fruit in real life
• Scale: Virtual fruit appears watermelon-sized vs real apple size
• Physics: Real fruit moves faster due to actual gravity vs game's scaled gravity
• Slicing mechanics:
  • Virtual: simple hand movement direction
  • Real: blade edge must be precisely aligned with slash direction
  • Requires intense concentration and coordination

Chainsaw Experiment - Jamie Hyneman

• Switched from sword to chainsaw for "Fruit Chainsaw" test
• Chainsaw proved "unbelievably effective"
• Chain speed created "instant fruit salad" on contact
• Fruit didn't skip off blade as feared
• Visually more impressive on camera than sword
• Much easier than sword technique

Final Assessment

• Real-life Fruit Ninja significantly harder than virtual version
• Also much more fun and satisfying than screen-based game
• Chainsaw version extremely effective for fruit destruction
• Experiment produced "sweetest smelling carnage" on show