Droids in Training: Imagineers Conduct Playtest at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Utilizing new technologies developed by Disney Research and Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development, Imagineering’s latest free-roaming robotic characters are capable of great balance and highly expressive motions. They can support myriad character activations, like a Star Wars-inspired droid. Recently, as part of a one-day playtest in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park, Imagineers teamed-up with animators to design droids in training with impossibly cute personalities. We can’t wait to see where this exploration, developed by the galaxy’s brightest minds, might go!

[johnchauvin]

Disney figured out that the best way to simulate droids is to literally build droids.

[Js]

I love how all of the motions it makes are seamless with each other, it really sells the character and emotion.

[cadendicky]

They remind me of little penguins waddling around. I hope we get more amazing tech like this, because it's amazing.

[janmartenlocher]

The look and behave like little ducklings!!! Cute!

[Demonrose]

The little head shakes is the most precious thing

[DH-oyzf]

They found a way to make these tiny droids seems human like but also non threatening. I really like they way the heads wobble when they walk.

[Trazynn]

These little guys would be immensely valuable in the children's ward of any hospital.

[jacksonhaenchen]

I love the tech. It sounds like they're using a neural network to take in an animator's example movement combined with adaptive walking algorithm to yield a personality robot that can also walk.

I would expect to see some very striking large robots in the future too. This same system would work with that and the engineer mentions it in the video.

[agentid]

An apocalypse occurs, and somehow, these are the only things to survive. 500, 000 years later, Star Wars happens again.

[manp]

having the 2 antena that can rotate up and down like dog ears is a great touch. Dog ears are great for expressing emotions and feelings. they are like cute robot puppies.

[marthinus.x]

It's great seeing talented people blur the lines between movie magic and science.

[sonicguyver]

They are so cute! Really capture the charm of BD-1. Maybe in a few years they can get this technology to a point where we can build our own BD units at the Droid Depot. I would book a flight and get a day pass to Disney World just for that.

[bradkoerner]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing some of the details behind these!

[SirDamatoIII]

What a refreshing breath of fresh air, especially amongst the ongoing panderverse reboot failures!

[zest]

I think its incredible!!! You guys have made legitimate operational drones from what was once only imaginable or a dream!!! Shows the true potential of our minds with sci-fi!!! If you can dream it up then you might just be able to actually make it work!!!

[S.E.C-R]

I saw these on a Disney YouTuber’s channel a couple weeks ago… I instantly fell in love, I can’t wait to someday meet them in person!!

[myperspective]

They do have that walking of the penguins at a zoo feel.👍🏆👍

[JB-mfko]

Amazing!
Another reason to revisit Galaxy's edge!
And one day... I hope to see moving Darth GONK droid

[mvm]

this is the future, this is beautiful design and engineering

[lajoyalobos]

This is awesome. I think it'd be cool to even have the droids with mis-matching colored parts/missing panels and simulated wear and tear. Would be great for immersion.