Project Kiwi: Disney’s Free-Walking Robot Project

Speaking of Panzarino, he had another killer feature last week — a behind-the-scenes look at a robotic baby Groot from Disney Imagineering:

And even though the expressive eyes are already impressive — the team is not done. Up next on the agenda is a sensory package that allows Kiwi to more fully understand the world around it and to identify people and their faces. This becomes important because eye contact is such an emotive and powerful tool to use in transporting a participant.

Even without the sensing software, I can tell you that the experience of this 2.5ft Groot locking eyes with me, smiling and waving was just incredibly transportive. Multiple times throughout my interaction I completely forgot that it was a robot at all.

Incredible stuff.

★ Wednesday, 28 April 2021