Why build a robot in the first place? Why are there so many robots popping into existence everyday? As technology advances more decades-old robotic challenges can be overcome. Advances in processing power, lightweight powerful batteries, smaller and more powerful electric actuators, and more have made the robot population grow exponentially. And we are only seeing the beginning... One of the more interesting trends is the combination of animatronic bodies and animatronic faces to robot design to make interacting with humans more pleasant. When this is done correctly it works well, but if it is done incorrectly the uncanny valley takes over and makes the robot design terrifying! In this blog, we shall discuss some interesting creations that are being done with robot designs and animatronics. 1. Animatronic face “cloning” : Animatronic artists, sculptors, and robot engineers have discovered a new technique to make animatronic faces more realistic – copying a real human face. Disney is famous for doing this extremely well with the Hall of the Presidents, in which Barack Obama in particular was animatronically “cloned” down to his last subtle body gesture. To simplify this process, motion capture technology is used to make a 3D model of the various facial expressions like winking, smiling and yawning. To make this animatronic face of humans, robot engineers pay attention to every detail of the human’s face minutely – even the facial hair and freckles are keenly observed! The conversion into digital 3D format begins. To make the animatronic face look as realistic as possible the latest skin technology (typically addition-cured polysiloxanes) coupled with the mechanical artistry of the designers and fabricators that “tune” in every part of the skin’s compliance to internal servo motion, then finally to the more than talented finish artists that paint and stain that skin to a degree most will never appreciate but subconsciously accept that face as being more human. The magic of converting the previously mentioned 3D data? That’s for the wizards behind the animatronic curtain to keep secret… 2. Animatronic hands : Historically speaking, automatons had the first animatronic hand articulation. For example, the Flute Player, invented by the French engineer Jacques de Vaucanson in 1737, moved its fingers that were ingeniously mechanically programmed to “play” the flute. Time have changed in the last 282 years, now you can use our Mecha Model S Robotic Hand is a creation that uses 14 joints and 5 servo motors to bring about life-like motion for simple animatronics. 3. Audio-Animatronics (AA) : The term Audio Animatronics was first coined by Walt Disney Imagineering when creating the famous Tiki Hut birds. Think of the relatively archaic technology in robot design they had to work with! Then realize the amazing entertainment impact those “simple” AA figures had on the world. “AA” remains a term strictly used when talking about Disney Animatronics. But those in the animatronics industry love to hear the term “AA”! It usually means that something new has been developed…maybe by Disney…maybe by many companies that make AA figures for Disney but by contract must never disclose their connection to Disney… Conclusion: These are some of the trending animatronic and robot designs that are changing our future faster than we know. While most are being created to serve a particular purpose that you will come to know sooner or later some will arrive in a very surprising manner. To know more and avail our services, contact us @ www.animatronicrobotics.com/contact-us or call @ 01.801.410.4869
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AuthorRobot Design, Animatronic Design, Humanoid Robot Design ArchivesCategories |