Disney Imagineers Develop Cutting-edge, Free-roaming Robotic Actor

Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development is developing a small-scale, free-roaming robotic actor that can take on the role of our similarly-sized Disney characters. Its tightly integrated design provides over 50 degrees of freedom in a compact platform that can walk, gesture, and emote in style. 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. There are no immediate plans for use in Disney theme parks; however, a prototype in the form of Groot is being used to test unique traits, gaits and capabilities.

#waltdisneyimagineering
#imagineering
#groot

[warlocket]

I swear If Disney purchases Five Nights At Freddy’s…….

[ytraidtem]

"So just be aware: the characters do tend to wander a bit. Uhh, they’re left in some kind of "free-roaming mode" at night. Uhh... something about their servos locking up if they get turned off for too long. Uhh... they used to be allowed to walk around during the day, too, but then there was the Bite of '87."

[PixelG_]

This looks really unreal
Can't wait for a actual Freddy roaming around a pizzaria

[twiglegg]

I recall a particular videogame that brings up freeroaming animatronics

[MoeMoeJoeJoe]

It's so cute! (Until it steals your flashlight at 5:56am)

[WafflesMcWaffles]

I hope this technolgy gets into parks!
Imagine a free roam meet and greet though that would be awesome

[NEURMANCER_]

Guess i shouldnt be surprised. Disney is the one to make terminators possible. Robots havenbt really been able to walk very well. Until groot.

[bilbo_gamers]

the problem with animatronics is that somebody is definitely going to try and push it over. that's because they aren't people and you need something way more dextrous than even a human to be so light weight with it's weight distributed so unevenly that can get back up quickly enough not to be pushed over by some snot nosed kid.

[NoobSharkYT]

what if they give it its own mind or atleast have him real eyes to sence people and smile of wave?

[moi]

It’s crazy how much of his personality comes through just his legs!

[dragongamer]

I hope one day we can have bigger models

[rklein]

As always I want to say to our future robot overlords that I love you and can't wait for your day to come.

[AngeloXification]

Working in an environment like this was my childhood dream

[CafeFantasia]

EXTREMELY impressive! 😳 What do you bet Groot walks out on stage during D23 Expo 2022?

[mollycblaeser]

0:28 SHUT UP. Is that the New Fantasyland dragon?!

[hipking]

The Simpsons predicted this when they visited Itchy & Scratchy land

[slithygod.]

these videos be like : ARE YOU READY FOR FNAD ?! aka five night at disney

[The_Stupid_Donkey]

"So, just be aware, the characters do tend to wander a bit. Uh, they're left in some kind of free roaming mode at night. Uh... Something about their servos locking up if they get turned off for too long. Uh, they used to be allowed to walk around during the day too. But then there was The Bite of '87."

[BHARGAV_GAJJAR]

Why isnt it speaking I am Groot like 50 x already ?

[grantwilliams]

About in Mickey and Minnie’s runaway railway queue in the Mickey thru the ears queue you put in the epic Mickey stuff cause that’s a part of mickeys history