Disney developing robots that can walk exactly like its animated characters
POSTED 28 May 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
The technology could potentially create the most realistic Disney animatronics ever created Credit: Disney Research Pittsburgh
Disney’s research arm is developing robots and animatronic characters, capable of walking and moving exactly as they would in animated movies and TV shows.
Advances in robotics and animatronics means Disney’s popular animated characters could soon be joining the famous theme park parade not as a human in a costume or as a robot stuck to a float, but rather a seemingly living, breathing animated character powered by robotics down to the last minute detail.
“Our goal is to bring animation characters to life in the real world,” said Disney Research Pittsburgh’s Seungmoon Song. “We present a bipedal robot that looks like and walks like an animation character. Starting from animation data of a character walking, we developed a bipedal robot which corresponds to the lower part of the character following its kinematic structure.”
To create the movement style, parts are 3D-printed and joints are actuated by servo motors, angled and positioned to help recreate the right movement. Using trajectory optimisation technology, the research team generated an open-loop walking trajectory designed to mimic the character’s walking motion. The team then perfected the walking motion on the developed hardware system, so that the robot could walk without falling over.
A Star Wars-themed pop-up restaurant is about to make its debut at Disney World in
Orlando, with the restaurant opening at the resort’s Hollywood Studios through May and
June.
The Walt Disney Company has beaten analyst estimates for its second quarter earnings,
led by growth at its theme parks along with the continued success of the Frozen and Star
Wars IPs.
Numbers from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, (ALVA) show that Royal attractions
saw a huge increase in visitor numbers during 2023 – the coronation year of King Charles III.
Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic
England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England.
Universal has revealed it will be adding new Harry Potter attractions, alongside Super Nintendo
and How to Train Your Dragon worlds to its Florida resort.
Disney developing robots that can walk exactly like its animated characters
POSTED 28 May 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
The technology could potentially create the most realistic Disney animatronics ever created Credit: Disney Research Pittsburgh
Disney’s research arm is developing robots and animatronic characters, capable of walking and moving exactly as they would in animated movies and TV shows.
Advances in robotics and animatronics means Disney’s popular animated characters could soon be joining the famous theme park parade not as a human in a costume or as a robot stuck to a float, but rather a seemingly living, breathing animated character powered by robotics down to the last minute detail.
“Our goal is to bring animation characters to life in the real world,” said Disney Research Pittsburgh’s Seungmoon Song. “We present a bipedal robot that looks like and walks like an animation character. Starting from animation data of a character walking, we developed a bipedal robot which corresponds to the lower part of the character following its kinematic structure.”
To create the movement style, parts are 3D-printed and joints are actuated by servo motors, angled and positioned to help recreate the right movement. Using trajectory optimisation technology, the research team generated an open-loop walking trajectory designed to mimic the character’s walking motion. The team then perfected the walking motion on the developed hardware system, so that the robot could walk without falling over.
A Star Wars-themed pop-up restaurant is about to make its debut at Disney World in
Orlando, with the restaurant opening at the resort’s Hollywood Studios through May and
June.
The Walt Disney Company has beaten analyst estimates for its second quarter earnings,
led by growth at its theme parks along with the continued success of the Frozen and Star
Wars IPs.
Numbers from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, (ALVA) show that Royal attractions
saw a huge increase in visitor numbers during 2023 – the coronation year of King Charles III.
Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic
England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England.
Universal has revealed it will be adding new Harry Potter attractions, alongside Super Nintendo
and How to Train Your Dragon worlds to its Florida resort.