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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.
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this
percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of
Wellness 2026 research report.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
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.
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this
percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of
Wellness 2026 research report.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
