Remember that video from months ago that teased some new Disney Imagineering tech for characters? It looked like a human-controlled mechanical puppet, and the internet (or at least us Disney people) went crazy! Well, during Disney’s D23 event, we got some more information on this new technology, officially called “Project EXO.” (Even the NAME is cool!)
A NEW type of character tech is coming!
What does Project EXO look like? What can we expect in the future? How will this change the game? Let’s talk tech!
Guests at D23 got a first look at the new technology used for character interactions. As you can see, this new character (a yeti?) has big, furry feet, and a whole lotta moving parts!
This is SO cool!
According to Disney, this new technology features pneumatic assist at key joint areas, and the weight of the exoskeleton all goes to the legs so the performer isn’t bearing the weight on their shoulders or backs.
That is going to be one TALL character
Additionally, Disney will start 3D printing muscles, which should make for some SUPER realistic characters!
©Disney
Then, the exoskeleton came on stage! We found out that even though those giant hands look hard to use, they can pick things up, wave, point, and shake hands!
There he is, in the flesh! (OR in the metal, technically)
This demo has us SUPER excited to learn more about Project EXO! Disney talked about how this will change the game for bringing characters to life in the parks and we can’t wait to see who we will meet in this larger-than-life way in the future.
Nice to meet you, sir
Disney is announcing a TON of new information, so stay tuned for more D23 updates!
VIDEO: See Disney’s REAL Lightsaber in Action HERE!
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Do you have any predictions on how this new tech will work? Let us know in the comments!
Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney World to attend their media preview of Destination D23. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ
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Looks like an Expedition Everest meet & greet to go along with the “Mech Suit” Avatar one in a park that’s typically short on such things. Not bad! Though Universal still gets points for the big Transformers guys :).
You know…Universal Studios has been doing this, in various forms, for a few years now…..
hang in there Chapek, your wish of turning Disney into a money making , average amusement park is coming to fruition.
When I saw the headline for this story, I thought nononono. I visualized virtual (meaning not real) interactions. Instead it seems it will enable Disney to present characters physically that couldn’t be done any other way. NOW I am excited!
I wish they’d just concentrate on making what they already have as good as it can be, instead of coming up with more “edgy” crap! It’s just another way to hike up the prices so they can say they’re giving you more for your money. There is soooo much that the parks could get rid of to bring down the cost of going for the average family, but NO! It’s all about giving the stock holders and the big wigs at the company more money in their pockets. This is just another piece of nonsense!
Finally, some readers that can see thru all the Disney hype and expense. The parks were at their best during the Eisner years when we did not have all of this techno crap. I agree, get rid of most of this stuff and concentrate on what really matters to the guests. The price, the food and the value. It started with Eiger and now Cepek is quickly becoming a non-fan-favorite.
just another way to chip away at the magic of Walt. Can’t really call it Walt anymore. Greedy man Chapekland or nothing magical chapekland. So sad. Should disney be more focused on getting rides up to date so they stop breaking down. Figuring out how to restore magic they have gotten rid of. I say nothing knew until you get what you already have back on the magic side.