Walt Disney Imagineering continues to innovate and imagine for the next generation of great theme park attractions. Their latest creation out of their Research & Development department could end up being revolutionary in the ways we experience audio-animatronics on attractions.
Currently called “Stuntronics” can perform death-defying acrobatic tricks. The project was born out of an experiment called “Stickman.” Matthew Panzarino of TechCrunch, reported that the figures could perform extreme stunts 60 feet in the air, with precision and accuracy that can be replicated each time. The video above showcases the robotic figures in action.
“So what this is about is the realization we came to after seeing where our characters are going on screen, whether they be ‘Star Wars’ characters, or Pixar characters, or Marvel characters or our own animation characters, is that they’re doing all these things that are really, really active. And so that becomes the expectation our park guests have that our characters are going all these things on screen — but when it comes to our attractions, what are our animatronic figures doing? We realized we have kind of a disconnect here.”- Tony Dohi, a lead Imagineer on the project.
The possibilities are now endless. We could finally see Spider-Man realistically swing and flip through New York, witness a Jedi lightsaber dueling a Sith in Star Wars, and there is even the possibility these robots could replace performers in shows.
Within the Boardwalk Times staff multiple opinions have been given on Stuntronics and how they can be used. Columnist Quintin Walker is excited for the day we could see Jack Sparrow jumping off the Black Pearl. Columnist Elizabeth Pfeiffer said the Stuntronics highlight video gave her some Iron Man vibes.
Honestly the new technology gives Disney a whole new designing edge. Although many things at Disney Research have been developed. Including multiple ride patents over the years including a ride based on guests emotions and hotel rooms that feature projection mapping. The Stuntronics still might be a few years away before they are perfected, and can officially enter the Disney Parks fold. It sure is fascinating to see the world of audio-animatronics get more impressive. From Na’vi River Shaman to the rumored Kylo Ren animatronic in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Audio-animatronics were already life like. Could you imagine how Stuntronics will look in action? So while fans are bummed over Pixar Pier and other Imagineering projects this could be a nice reminder for those disengaged fans that Imagineers are still working hard to provide wonderful experiences for them.
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
