Who Made the Robots at Disney Theme Parks? [New Jobs]

Living Machines, Animatronics
Created Using Electric Motors and Hydraulic Mechanisms
As Realistic as Possible... Mechanical Engineering and Art

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The pinnacle of the world's largest content company, Disney, is its theme parks. The massive amusement park called Disneyland is lined with theme parks based on intellectual property (IP) that Disney has either developed in-house or acquired. Especially in these theme parks, realistic 'robots' that add a sense of presence are installed to amaze visitors.

Animatronic robots applied in actual Disney theme parks. Capture from Disney YouTube.

These robots exhibit intricate movements like people wearing mascot costumes, but in fact, they are not humanoid robots as commonly imagined. Rather, they are closer to industrial equipment commonly seen in automobile factories. Instead, by adding imagination and artistic sensibility, industrial robots are mimicked to behave like humans. The craftsmen who perform this work are called 'Animatronics Engineers.'

Artisans Who Breathe Life into Dolls

Animatronics is a compound word combining the English words 'Animate' and 'Mechatronics.' Literally, it means the work of combining electrical/electronic and precision machinery to breathe 'life' into dolls. Industrial experts engaged in animatronics are commonly called 'Animatronics Engineers' in the United States.

The origin of animatronics can be traced back several hundred years. In 17th-century Europe, craftsmen created 'automata' that mimicked animal movements using complex spring mechanisms, and these craftsmen can be considered the early animatronics engineers.

The origin of animatronics is the "automaton" developed in the 19th century. It is a machine that implements repetitive movements by placing an intricate spring mechanism inside a porcelain doll. Screenshot from the online homepage

More modern animatronics began with a patent filed in 1961 by Walt Disney, the founder of Disney. At that time, Disney created bird toys using hydraulic mechanical devices for use as props in movies and theme parks, which excited young customers and their parents. Subsequently, Disney established a specialized department dedicated solely to animatronics and began training engineers. Today, they manufacture animatronics capable of performing movements like real animals or humans.

Awkward Creations Cause Fear... Engineers and Artists

There are various types of animatronics. Small-scale 'installable toys' for events perform simple repetitive motions, whereas animatronics seen in Disney theme parks can perform lifelike movements and even realistic facial expressions. However, their core principle is the same. Inside the artificial skin are numerous electric motors and actuators (hydraulic drive devices), which move left and right or up and down to create motion.

Mechanical engineers actually installing animatronics. Walt Disney Engineering YouTube capture

As explained earlier, these mechanical devices apply the same technology used in robotic arms commonly found in factories. Therefore, all animatronics can only perform pre-programmed motions repeatedly. They implement very complex pre-programming and directing devices merely to give theme park visitors the illusion that the dolls are alive.

Poorly made animatronics can rather induce discomfort or fear. Photo by YouTube capture

Because of this, animatronics engineers must have a deep understanding of machinery as well as artistic sensibility and observational skills. Poorly made automata can cause fear in children due to their grotesque movements, so animatronics are carefully completed one by one through numerous trials and errors.

In the United States, animatronics engineers are treated as highly paid technical professionals, similar to factory automation engineers. According to data compiled from U.S. job salary information sites such as 'Indeed,' they reportedly earn an annual salary of $110,000 to $130,000 (approximately 160 million to 180 million KRW).