Flying stunt robots that can pose like superheroes in midair

  • Disney is developing humanoid robots capable of being catapulted into the air to perform stunts, according to TechCrunch.
  • The project is called “Stuntronics,” and it sprang out of a research experiment called “Stickman.”
  • The robots can be used as stunt doubles for more delicate animatronics during Disneyland shows.

Disney is making humanoid robots that can perform mind-boggling stunts in midair, according to TechCrunch.

Disneyland parks have incorporated animatronics into their displays for decades, but with its new project, “Stuntronics,” Disney hopes to take performing robotics to the next level.

The project was born of a research experiment named “Stickman.” Stickman was a robot who was able to perform acrobatic flips, and was essentially just an articulated pole.

With Stuntronics the aim was to create a humanoid robot which could act as a stunt double for other “hero” animatronic figures in the park.

The robot can be flung through the air, controlling its pose, rotation, and center of mass. It can even strike a superhero pose mid-flight. You can watch it in action below:

According to TechCrunch, the robots could be used in attractions and shows at Disneyland parks, standing in for more delicate animatronics, which could not withstand being flung through the sky.

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By Isobel Asher Hamilton / tech fellow

Isobel is a tech fellow at Business Insider. She was formerly at Mashable as a culture intern, where she became interested in how technology has permeated so many different parts of our lives. In particular she's interested in how technology impacts the natural world, both negatively and positively.

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(Source: businessinsider.com.au; July 3, 2018; https://tinyurl.com/y93m7fjx)
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