Disney introduced a remarkable bipedal robot at the IROS 2023 conference, drawing inspiration from Star Wars’ BD-1 droid. Disney’s innovative methodology seamlessly combines stylized animations with machine reinforcement learning, resulting in remarkably expressive robot movements. Although the exact applications remain undisclosed, this technology carries the potential for diverse human-robot interactions, spanning from amiable service robots to assertive, specific roles.
Disney Research Los Angeles strategically aligns itself with universities, affording The Walt Disney Company a valuable academic and innovative edge. Their diverse projects include Stuntronics, harnessing advanced robotics for captivating acrobatic performances, and groundbreaking work in augmented reality for enhancing theme park experiences.