Disney sprinkles its magic on new robot animatronic
POSTED 28 Apr 2021 . BY Tom Walker
Disney Imagineering has created a prototype robot, in form of the character Groot from the Marvel universe Credit: Disney Imagineering Research & Development
Disney imagineers have revealed a free-roaming animatronic
The robot was developed as part of Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development's "Project Kiwi"
The robot's tightly integrated design provides more than 50 degrees of freedom in a compact platform
It can bring robotic characters to life with expressive motions and is able to walk, gesture, and emote in style
Disney Imagineers have revealed a free-roaming animatronic which could revolutionise experience design and the visitor experience in attractions.
Using advanced technology – and developed as part of Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development's "Project Kiwi" – the small-scale robotic actor can take on the role of a Disney character without the need for human actors.
The animatronic'ss tightly integrated design provides more than 50 degrees of freedom in a compact platform that can walk, gesture, and emote in style. Most components have been custom-made to meet size and weight requirements.
Walt Disney Imagineering said: "Using custom-authoring tools that combine whole-body motion planning and traditional character animation, artists can quickly bring robotic characters to life with expressive motions and interactive behaviors."
A prototype of "Project Kiwi" technology – in the form of the character Groot from the Marvel universe – was recently presented to the media and is currently being used to test unique traits, gait, and capabilities.
Disney’s deep knowledge of life-like animation has been used to inform the development of the prototype – with the software able to express a range of personalities through gait and posture.
Disney says the 2021 iteration of the animatronic can cope with environmental factors such as wind and uneven surfaces but is not yet ready to be fully deployed, so there are no immediate plans to use the technology in Disney's parks and the project remains in the lab for the time being.
The next stage of development will see Imagineers working on two additional pieces of functionality – actuators that will enable the robot to "handle sudden human interactions" and sensors that will enable it to identify human faces and interact appropriately.
Customising technology to register recognition for guests has long been a priority for Disney, as part of its philosophy of deep engagement.
Once ready for deployment, the robotic actor is expected to be manufactured to take the shape of any number of Disney's roster of child-size characters.
See a video of how Project Kiwi is evolving below.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Disney sprinkles its magic on new robot animatronic
POSTED 28 Apr 2021 . BY Tom Walker
Disney Imagineering has created a prototype robot, in form of the character Groot from the Marvel universe Credit: Disney Imagineering Research & Development
Disney imagineers have revealed a free-roaming animatronic
The robot was developed as part of Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development's "Project Kiwi"
The robot's tightly integrated design provides more than 50 degrees of freedom in a compact platform
It can bring robotic characters to life with expressive motions and is able to walk, gesture, and emote in style
Disney Imagineers have revealed a free-roaming animatronic which could revolutionise experience design and the visitor experience in attractions.
Using advanced technology – and developed as part of Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development's "Project Kiwi" – the small-scale robotic actor can take on the role of a Disney character without the need for human actors.
The animatronic'ss tightly integrated design provides more than 50 degrees of freedom in a compact platform that can walk, gesture, and emote in style. Most components have been custom-made to meet size and weight requirements.
Walt Disney Imagineering said: "Using custom-authoring tools that combine whole-body motion planning and traditional character animation, artists can quickly bring robotic characters to life with expressive motions and interactive behaviors."
A prototype of "Project Kiwi" technology – in the form of the character Groot from the Marvel universe – was recently presented to the media and is currently being used to test unique traits, gait, and capabilities.
Disney’s deep knowledge of life-like animation has been used to inform the development of the prototype – with the software able to express a range of personalities through gait and posture.
Disney says the 2021 iteration of the animatronic can cope with environmental factors such as wind and uneven surfaces but is not yet ready to be fully deployed, so there are no immediate plans to use the technology in Disney's parks and the project remains in the lab for the time being.
The next stage of development will see Imagineers working on two additional pieces of functionality – actuators that will enable the robot to "handle sudden human interactions" and sensors that will enable it to identify human faces and interact appropriately.
Customising technology to register recognition for guests has long been a priority for Disney, as part of its philosophy of deep engagement.
Once ready for deployment, the robotic actor is expected to be manufactured to take the shape of any number of Disney's roster of child-size characters.
See a video of how Project Kiwi is evolving below.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
