Disney robot uses propellers to turn into wall-crawler
POSTED 20 Jan 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
VertiGo extends the ability for robots to travel through both urban and indoor environments
Disney’s research arm has developed a robot capable of transitioning from the ground to the wall.
Dubbed VertiGo, the wall climbing robot was created in collaboration between Disney Research Zurich and Switzerland’s ETH Zurich university.
The four-wheel prototype uses two tiltable propellers that provide thrust to move the robot onto the wall and then to keep it there as it manoeuvres around the vertical surface. One set of the robot's wheels are steerable, and each propeller has two degrees of freedom for adjusting the direction of thrust.
The robot offers new capability for moving devices, extending the ability for robots to travel through both urban and indoor environments, something Disney could incorporate into its theme parks as part of immersive technology on rides, or use in its shows to create seemingly impossible effects. Developer Paul Beardsley told IEEE Spectrum that while he couldn’t discuss why Disney was developing VertiGo, one such use could be “robots with lighting effects for entertainment or wall games.”
Weight on the VertiGo has been minimised by using a central carbon-fibre baseplate. In addition, 3D-printed parts have been used and carbon-rods are used for more complex structures, such as the wheels and wheel suspension.
The robot works with two infrared distance sensors mounted on the front to estimate the robot's orientation in space, while the two propellers control speed and direction.
Weight on the VertiGo has been minimised by using a central carbon-fibre baseplate
RELATED STORIES
Disneyland Shanghai sets June opening date POSTED 13 Jan 2016. BY Tom Anstey Disney has set a new opening date for its first theme park in China, which will open on 16
June later this year.
Iger 'bullish' over Shanghai Disneyland prospect POSTED 23 Dec 2015. BY Tom Anstey Disney CEO Bob Iger has said the company is confident ahead of the launch of Shanghai
Disneyland next year, praising growth in the Chinese market.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
+ More news
COMPANY PROFILES
Simworx Ltd
The company was initially established
in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew
Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
Clip 'n Climb
Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and
investors more than 40 colourful and unique
Cha [more...]
Taylor Made Designs
Founded in 1993, Taylor Made
Designs supply corporate clothing
and brand-enhancing merchandise
to [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor
TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
Disney robot uses propellers to turn into wall-crawler
POSTED 20 Jan 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
VertiGo extends the ability for robots to travel through both urban and indoor environments
Disney’s research arm has developed a robot capable of transitioning from the ground to the wall.
Dubbed VertiGo, the wall climbing robot was created in collaboration between Disney Research Zurich and Switzerland’s ETH Zurich university.
The four-wheel prototype uses two tiltable propellers that provide thrust to move the robot onto the wall and then to keep it there as it manoeuvres around the vertical surface. One set of the robot's wheels are steerable, and each propeller has two degrees of freedom for adjusting the direction of thrust.
The robot offers new capability for moving devices, extending the ability for robots to travel through both urban and indoor environments, something Disney could incorporate into its theme parks as part of immersive technology on rides, or use in its shows to create seemingly impossible effects. Developer Paul Beardsley told IEEE Spectrum that while he couldn’t discuss why Disney was developing VertiGo, one such use could be “robots with lighting effects for entertainment or wall games.”
Weight on the VertiGo has been minimised by using a central carbon-fibre baseplate. In addition, 3D-printed parts have been used and carbon-rods are used for more complex structures, such as the wheels and wheel suspension.
The robot works with two infrared distance sensors mounted on the front to estimate the robot's orientation in space, while the two propellers control speed and direction.
Weight on the VertiGo has been minimised by using a central carbon-fibre baseplate
RELATED STORIES
Disneyland Shanghai sets June opening date POSTED 13 Jan 2016. BY Tom Anstey Disney has set a new opening date for its first theme park in China, which will open on 16
June later this year.
Iger 'bullish' over Shanghai Disneyland prospect POSTED 23 Dec 2015. BY Tom Anstey Disney CEO Bob Iger has said the company is confident ahead of the launch of Shanghai
Disneyland next year, praising growth in the Chinese market.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’
planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–
Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
+ More news
COMPANY PROFILES
Simworx Ltd The company was initially established
in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew
Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
Clip 'n Climb Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and
investors more than 40 colourful and unique
Cha [more...]
Taylor Made Designs Founded in 1993, Taylor Made
Designs supply corporate clothing
and brand-enhancing merchandise
to [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
