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[[File:WDW Lucky.jpg|thumb|[[Lucky the Dinosaur]] [[audio-animatronic]] at [[Walt Disney World]] in 2005 was the first one to walk on land]] |
[[File:WDW Lucky.jpg|thumb|[[Lucky the Dinosaur]] [[audio-animatronic]] at [[Walt Disney World]] in 2005 was the first one to walk on land]] |
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[[File:Tyrannosaurus NHM London.ogg|thumb|[[Tyrannosaurus]] at the [[Natural History Museum, London|Natural History Museum]] of [[London]]]] |
[[File:Tyrannosaurus NHM London.ogg|thumb|[[Tyrannosaurus]] at the [[Natural History Museum, London|Natural History Museum]] of [[London]]]] |
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'''Animatronics''' is the use of [[mechatronics]] to create machines which |
'''Animatronics''' is the use of [[mechatronics]] to create machines which simulate [[Possession (linguistics)#Animate and inanimate|animate]] life with lifelike characteristics rather than artificial [[Robotics|robotic]].<ref name="today-500">{{cite web|last1=Schilling|first1=David Russell|title=Today’s Animatronics Almost 500 Years in the Making|url=http://www.industrytap.com/todays-animatronics-almost-500-years-in-the-making/8877|website=Industry Tap|accessdate=5 August 2014}}</ref> Animatronic creations include animals (including [[dinosaurs]]), [[plants]] and even [[mythical creature]]s. A [[robot]] designed to be a convincing imitation of a human is more specifically labeled as an [[android (robot)|android]]. |
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Animatronic figures are most often powered by [[pneumatic]]s, [[hydraulic]]s, or by electrical means, and can be implemented using both computer control and human control, including [[teleoperation]]. [[actuator|Motion actuator]]s are often used to imitate muscle movements and create realistic motions in limbs. Figures are covered with body shells and flexible skins made of hard and soft plastic materials, and finished with details like colors, hair and feathers and other components to make the figure more realistic. |
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Animatronics is mainly used in [[movie making]], but it is also used in [[theme parks]] and other forms of entertainment. Its main advantage over [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] and [[stop motion]] is that the simulated creature has a physical presence moving in front of the camera in real time. The technology behind animatronics has become more advanced and sophisticated over the years, making the [[puppet]]s even more realistic and lifelike. |
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Modern-animatronics have found popularity in [[special effect|movie special effects]] and [[theme parks]] and have, since their inception, been primarily used as a spectacle of amusement. |
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Animatronics is used in situations where a creature does not exist, the action is too risky or costly to use real actors or animals, or the action could never be obtained with a living person or animal. Animatronic systems can be implemented using both computer control and human control, including [[teleoperation]]. |
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== Etymology == |
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Animatronic figures are most often powered by pneumatics (compressed air), and, in special instances, hydraulics (pressurized oil), or by electrical means. The figures are precisely customized with the exact dimensions and proportions of living creatures. Motion actuators are often used to imitate “muscle” movements, such as limbs to create realistic motions. Also, the figure is covered with body shells and flexible skins made of hard and soft plastic materials. Then, the figure is finished by adding details like colors, hair and feathers and other components to make the figure more realistic.<ref>[http://www.garnerholt.com/ghp-inc/about-us/faq.aspx How do animatronic figures work?], . retrieved December 3, 2011, updated June 21, 2014</ref> |
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[[File:Capek play.jpg|thumb|260px|A scene from Karel Capek's 1920 play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots), showing three robots]] |
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Automated life in lifelike form is Animatronic. Early modern animatronics were often referred to as robots because the word animatronic was not yet popularized. The Slavic word robota (forced labour) was coined to describe the man-made workers central to Czech playwright [[Karel Čapek]]'s 1921 play '[[R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)]]''.<ref name="KapekWebsite">{{cite web|url=http://capek.misto.cz/english/robot.html|first=Dominik|last=Zunt|title=Who did actually invent the word "robot" and what does it mean?|publisher=The Karel Capek|accessdate=2007-09-11}}</ref> While robots, coined by [[Josef Čapek]] Karel's brother,<ref name="KapekWebsite">{{cite web|url=http://capek.misto.cz/english/robot.html|first=Dominik|last=Zunt|title=Who did actually invent the word "robot" and what does it mean?|publisher=The Karel Čapek website|accessdate=2007-09-11}}</ref> are used in industrial activity, "[[android (robot)|androids]]" (or female "gynoids") and animatronics play, entertain, teach, and amaze. With modern day labels for each, animatronic is typically reserved for non-humanoid lifelike characters; though humanoid characters can be considered animatronics, they can be labeled more precisely as robots or androids dependent on their function. All of these terms are a subset of the more general term “automaton”, coming from the Greek meaning “self-mover”.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Sill|first1=Christina Rose|title=A Survey of Androids and Audiences: 285 BCE to the Present Day|date=2013 Apr 10|url=http://summit.sfu.ca/system/files/iritems1/12906/etd7811_CSill.pdf|publisher=Simon Fraser University|format=PDF}}</ref> |
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The term [[Audio-Animatronics]] was coined by [[Walt Disney]] when he started developing animatronics for entertainment and film. [[Audio-Animatronics]] does not differentiate between animatronics and androids. |
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==History== |
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[[File:LBJ Animatronic by Sally Corporation.jpg|right|thumb|170x170px|This animatronic of [[President Lyndon Baines Johnson]] was created by the [[Sally Corporation]] for [[Neiman Marcus]], who later donated it to the [[LBJ Presidential Library]].]] |
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Animatronics was developed by [[Walt Disney]] in the early 1960s. Essentially, an animatronic puppet is a figure that is animated by means of [[electromechanical]] devices.<ref>{{ cite journal | author = Sempere, A. | title = Animatronics, Children and Computation | journal = Educational Technology and Society | volume = 8 | issue = 4 | year = 2005 | pages = 11–21 | url = http://www.ifets.info/journals/8_4/3.pdf | format = pdf }}</ref> Early examples were found at the [[1964 New York World's Fair|1964 World's Fair in the New York]] Hall of Presidents and Disneyland. In the [[Hall of Presidents]], Lincoln, with all the gestures of a statesman, gave the Gettysburg address. |
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Body language and facial motions were matched to perfection with the recorded speech.<ref>Huebner, T (2005). [http://www.mouseplanet.com/more/mm050629th.htm Looking back and looking ahead—does this revered attraction have a future?], retrieved November 29, 2011</ref> The abbreviated term originally coined by Walt Disney as [[Audio-Animatronics]], which is used to describe the mechanized characters, can be actually seen in the various forms as far back as [[Leonardo da Vinci]]’s Automata Lion, which was theoretically built to present lilies to the King of France during one of his visits. It has now been developed as a career which may require combined talents in [[mechanical engineering]], [[casting]]/[[sculpting]], control technologies, electrical/electronic, [[radio control]] and [[airbrushing]]. Long before [[visual effects|digital effects]] appeared, animatronics were making cinematic history.<ref>Jerome, (2009). [http://www.seminarseason.com/2009/animatronics.html What is Animatronics?], retrieved November 29, 2011</ref> |
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Autonomatronics, was also defined by Walt Disney Imagineers, to describe a more advanced audio-animatronic technology featuring cameras and complex sensors to process information around the characters environment and respond to that stimulus.<ref name="advancements">{{cite web|last1=Kiniry|first1=Laura|title=6 Cool—And Creepy—Animatronic Advancements|url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/engineering/robots/6-6ool-and-creepy-animatronic-advancements-6#slide-6|publisher=Popular Mechanics|accessdate=10 August 2014}}</ref> |
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==Creature creation== |
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Building the various components used in the animatronic device usually takes the longest time. There are four main categories into which the work splits, with development happening simultaneously across the categories. Although basically similar, the design and production processes for animatronics in cinema varies greatly from animation for theme parks and other permanent venues. |
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== Timeline== |
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; Mechanical |
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* '''1220-1240''' - [[Villard_de_Honnecourt|The Portfolio of Villard de Honnecourt]] depicts an early escapement mechanism in a drawing titled “How to make an angel keep pointing his finger toward the Sun” and an automaton of a bird, with jointed wings.<ref name="honnecourt">{{cite journal|last1=Ackerman|first1=James S.|title=Villard de Honnecourt's Drawings of Reims Cathedral: A Study in Architectural Representation|journal=Artibus et Historiae|volume=18|issue=35|pages=41|doi=10.2307/1483536}}</ref> |
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: Engineers design and build the mechanical system, which includes everything from basic gears to sophisticated hydraulics. |
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* '''1550''' - [[Leonardo da Vinci]] designed and built the Automata Lion.<ref name="automata_lion">{{cite journal|last1=Bedini|first1=Silvio A.|title=The Role of Automata in the History of Technology|journal=Technology and Culture|volume=5|issue=1|pages=24|doi=10.2307/3101120}}</ref> |
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* '''1738''' - The construction of an [[Automaton|automata]] begins in Grenoble, France by [[Jacques de Vaucanson]]. First a flute player that could play twelve songs - ''The Flute Player'', followed by a character playing a flute and drum or tambourine - ''The Tambourine Player'', and concluding with a moving / quacking / flapping / eating duck - [[Digesting Duck|The Digesting Duck]].<ref name="vaucanson">{{cite journal|last1=Fryer|first1=David M.|last2=Marshall|first2=John C.|title=The Motives of Jacques de Vaucanson|journal=Technology and Culture|volume=20|issue=2|pages=257|doi=10.2307/3103866}}</ref> |
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; Electronic |
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* '''1770''' - [[Pierre Jaquet-Droz]] and his son Henri-Louis Jaquet-Droz, both Swiss watchmakers, start making automata for European royalty. Once completed, they had [[Jaquet-Droz automata|created three dolls]]. One doll was able to write, the other play music and the 3rd doll could draw pictures.<ref name="duck">{{cite journal|last1=Riskin|first1=Jessica|title=The Defecating Duck, or, the Ambiguous Origins of Artificial Life|journal=Critical Inquiry|volume=29|issue=4|pages=599–633|doi=10.1086/377722}}</ref> |
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: Another group develops the electronic control systems needed to operate the animatronic device. Typically starting from scratch and creating their own custom circuit boards, these engineers are essentially building giant remote-controlled toys. Almost all of the movement is manipulated by specialized remote-control systems known as telemetry devices. |
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* '''1801''' - [[Joseph Marie Jacquard|Joseph Jacquard]] builds [[Jacquard loom|a loom]] that is controlled autonomously with punched cards. |
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* '''1939''' - Sparko, The Robot Dog, pet of [[Elektro]] the Robot, performs in front of the public at the [[1939 New York World's Fair]] but Sparko is not like normal robots, Sparko represents a living animal, thus becoming the very first modern day animatronics character<ref name="sparko">{{cite web|title=An introduction to Animatronics|url=http://prezi.com/yguvklrxv0e9/an-introduction-to-animatronics/|accessdate=10 August 2014}}</ref>, along with an unnamed horse which was reported to gallop realistically. The animatronics galloping horse was also on display at the 1939 World's Fair, in a different exhibit than Sparko's.<ref name="horse">{{cite journal|title=A Mechanical Horse Gallops Realistically|journal=Popular Science|date=1939 Jan|volume=134|issue=1|page=117|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=hCkDAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA117&ots=590nRN0zLB&dq=1939%20worlds%20fair%20mechanical%20horse%20gallops%20realistically&pg=PA117#v=onepage&q=1939%20worlds%20fair%20mechanical%20horse%20gallops%20realistically&f=false|accessdate=10 August 2014}}</ref> |
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* '''1961''' - Heinrich Ernst develops the MH-1, a computer operated mechanical hand at [[MIT]].<ref name=mh1>{{cite journal|title=UTHM Hand: Mechanics Behind The Dexterous Anthropomorphic Hand|journal=World Academy Of Science, Engineering And Technology|date=2011|volume=74|pages=154-158|url=http://www.waset.org/publications/9570|accessdate=10 August 2014}}</ref> |
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* '''1961''' - Walt Disney coins the term audio-animatronics and begins developing modern animatronics technology.<ref name=autonomatronics>{{cite book|last1=Ayala|first1=Alfredo Medina|title=Advances in New Technologies, Interactive Interfaces, and Communicability First International Conference Papers.|url=url=http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-20810-2_2#page-1|location=Huerta Grande, Argentina|date=2010 Oct 22|publisher=Springer Berlin Heidelberg|location=Berlin|isbn=978-3-642-20809-6|edition=1., st Edition}}</ref> |
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* '''1963''' - The first animatronics created by Disney are the [[Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room|Enchanted Tiki Birds]] which were featured at Disnleyland.<ref name=van2006advanced>{{cite journal|last1=van Breemen|first1=A.J.N|last2=Philips|first2=Eindhoven|last3=Xue|first3=Yan|title=Advanced Animation Engine for User-Interface Robots|date=2006 Oct 9-15|pages=1824--1830|doi=10.1109/IROS.2006.282225|url=http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpls/abs_all.jsp?arnumber=4058642|publisher=IEEE|location=RSJ International Conference, Beijing|id=9407698}}</ref> |
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* '''1963''' - The first animatronics figure of a person is created and is [[Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln|Abraham Lincoln]].<ref name=autonomatronics/> |
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* '''1964''' - In the film ''[[Mary Poppins (film)|Mary Poppins]]'', animatronics birds are the first animatronics to be featured in a motion picture. |
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* '''1982''' - Ben Franklin is the first animatronics figure to walk up a set of stairs.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Webb|first1=Michael|title=The Robots Are Here! The Robots Are Here!|journal=Design Quarterly|issue=121|pages=4|doi=10.2307/4091102}}</ref> |
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* '''1983''' - Belinda Brown is introduced as the third animatronics character at the Dreamworld theme park in the Australian Koala Theatre, joining Kenny Koala and Cooee the Gum Nut fairy.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dreamworld History|url=http://www.dreamworld.com.au/schools/pdf/dw-schools-history.pdf|website=Dreamworld|accessdate=10 August 2014}}</ref> |
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* '''1989''' - The first A-100 animatronics is developed for the film, ''The Wizard of Oz'' to represent The Wicked Witch of the West. |
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* '''1993''' - The largest animatronics figure ever built is the T-Rex for the movie, ''[[Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park]]''. |
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* '''1998''' - Tiger Electronics begins selling [[Furby]], an animatronics pet with over 800 English phrases or "Furbish" and the ability to react to its environment. |
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* '''1999''' - Sony releases the [[AIBO]] animatronics pet. |
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* '''2008''' - Mr. Potato Head at the Toy Story exhibit in Disney's Hollywood Studios features lips with superior range of movement to any other animatronics figure previously.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Clark|first1=Eric|title=The Real Toy Story|date=2007|publisher=Free Press|isbn=978-0-7432-9889-6|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=uVTuTiPnQHQC&lpg=PT5&ots=JQpXSxt5gL|accessdate=10 August 2014}}</ref> |
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* '''2009''' - Disney develops ''Otto'', the first interactive figure that can hear, see and sense actions in the room.<ref name=autonomatronics/> |
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* '''2009''' - The Abraham Lincoln animatronics character is upgraded to incorporate Autonomatronics technology.<ref name=autonomatronics/> |
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== History == |
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; Structural |
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: All of the electronic and mechanical components need something to which to attach and control, and the skin must have a frame to maintain its shape. This is done by building a plastic and steel frame to increase the realism, and because it is the natural way to design it. |
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=== Origins === |
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; Surface |
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[[File:Al-Jazari_-_A_Musical_Toy.jpg|thumb|left|Al-Jazari's toy boat, musical automata]] |
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: The "skin" is often made from foam rubber, which is a very light, spongy rubber made by mixing air with liquid latex rubber and then curing (hardening) it. While there are other compounds, such as silicone and urethane that are stronger and last longer, foam rubber is used because it is much easier to work with. The solution is poured into each mold and allowed to cure. As mentioned earlier, parts of the frame are embedded with the foam rubber at certain points. To further strengthen the skin, a piece of fabric is cut to size and embedded in the foam rubber after it is poured into the mold. Once cured, each piece of skin is pulled from its mold.<ref>[http://www.howstuffworks.com/animatronic5.htm Tyson, J, How Animatronics Works], retrieved November 27, 2011</ref> |
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The 3rd century BC text of the ''[[Liezi]]'' describes an encounter between [[King Mu of Zhou]] and an 'artificer' known as Yan Shi, who presented the king with a life-size automaton. The 'figure' was described as able to walk, pose and sing, and when dismantled was observed to consist of anatomically accurate organs.<ref name="chinese_science">{{Cite book|title = Science and Civilization in China|last = Needham|first = Joseph|publisher = Caves Books Ltd.|year = 1986|isbn = |location = Taipei|pages = 53|quote = "It walked with rapid strides, moving its head up and down, so that anyone would have taken it for a live human being."|volume = 2}}</ref> |
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The 5th century BC [[Mohism|Mohist]] philosopher [[Mozi]] and his contemporary Lu Ban are attributed with the invention of artificial wooden birds (ma yuan) that could successfully fly in the Han Fei Zi<ref name="needham volume 2 54">Needham, Volume 2, 54</ref> and in 1066, the Chinese inventor Su Song built a [[water clock]] in the form of a tower which featured mechanical figurines which chimed the hours. |
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In 1515, [[Leonardo da Vinci]] designed and built the Automata Lion, one of the earliest described animatrons.<ref name="today-500" /> The mechanical lion was presented by Giuliano de’ Medici of Florence to [[Francois I]], King of France as a symbol of an alliance between France and Florence.<ref name="davinci-lion">{{Cite news|url = http://in.reuters.com/article/2009/08/14/us-france-davinci-lion-idINTRE57D1MQ20090814|title = Da Vinci's lion prowls again after 500 years|last = Shirbon|first = Estelle|date = 14 August 2009|work = |accessdate = 8 August 2014|agency = Reuters}} |
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</ref> The Automata Lion was rebuilt in 2009 according to contemporary descriptions and da Vinci's own drawings of the mechanism.<ref name="davinci-lion" /> Prior to this, da Vinci had designed and exhibited a [[mechanical knight]] at a celebration hosted by [[Ludovico Sforza]] at the court of Milan in 1495.<ref name="nih">{{cite journal |title = The da Vinci robot|last = |first = |journal = J. Endourol.|volume = 20|issue = 12|pages = 986–90|quote = ... the date of the design and possible construction of this robot was 1495 ... Beginning in the 1950s, investigators at the University of California began to ponder the significance of some of da Vinci's markings on what appeared to be technical drawings ... It is now known that da Vinci's robot would have had the outer appearance of a Germanic knight.|work = |pmid = 17206888|doi = 10.1089/end.2006.20.986|date = December 2006}} |
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</ref> The 'robot' was capable of standing, sitting, opening its visor and moving its arms. The drawings were rediscovered in the 1950s and a functional replica was later built.<ref name=nih /> |
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=== Early Implementations === |
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==== Clocks ==== |
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[[File:Washstand_by_Philo_of_Byzantium.png|thumb|right|Greek washstand automaton of the 3rd century BC]] |
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Approximately 1220 - 1230, [[Villard_de_Honnecourt]] wrote ''The Portfolio of Villard de Honnecourt'' which depicts an early escapement mechanism in a drawing titled “How to make an angel keep pointing his finger toward the Sun” and an automaton of a bird, with jointed wings which led to their design implementation in clocks. Because of their size and complexity, the majority of these clocks were built as public spectacles in the [[town centre]]. One of the earliest of these large clocks was the Strassbourg Clock, built in the fourteenth century which takes up the entire side of a cathedral wall. It contained an astronomical calendar, automata depicting animals, saints and the life of Christ. The clock still functions to this day, but has undergone several restorations since it's initial construction. The [[Prague astronomical clock]] was built in 1410, animated figures were added from the 17th century onwards.<ref name="realhistory">{{cite web | url=http://roborobotics.com/Animatronics/history-of-animatronics.html | title=The Real History of Animatronics | publisher=Rogers Studios | accessdate=August 4, 2014}}</ref> |
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[[File:Czech-2013-Prague-Astronomical_clock_face.jpg|thumb|left|Face of the Astronomical Clock, in Old Town Square, Prague.]] |
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The first description of a modern cuckoo clock was by the [[Augsburg]] nobleman [[Philipp Hainhofer]] in 1629.<ref name=cuckoo>{{cite book|last1=Molesworth|title=The Cuckoo Clock|date=1914|publisher=JB Lippincott Company|url=http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ut81AQAAMAAJ|accessdate=10 August 2014}}</ref> The clock belonged to Prince Elector [[August, Elector_of_Saxony|August von Sachsen]]. By 1650, the workings of mechanical cuckoos were understood and were widely disseminated in [[Athanasius Kircher]]'s handbook on music, ''Musurgia Universalis.'' In what is the first documented description of how a mechanical cuckoo works, a mechanical organ with several automated figures is described.<ref>Athanasius Kircher, Musurgia Universalis sive Ars magna consoni & dissoni, 2 Vol (Rome, 1650), here Vol. 2, p. 343f and Plate XXI. |
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</ref> |
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{{See also|Automaton clock|Cuckoo clock}} |
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In 18th century Germany, clock makers began making cuckoo clocks for sale.<ref name="realhistory"/> Clock shops selling cuckoo clocks became commonplace in the [[Black Forest]] region by the middle of the 18th century.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Rare and Unusual Black Forest Clocks|last = Miller|first = Justin|publisher = Schiffer|year = 2012|isbn = |location = |pages = 30}} |
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</ref> |
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==== Attractions ==== |
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At a banquet in Camilla of Aragon's honor in Italy, 1475, a lifelike automated camel. (Grafton, 50). The spectacle was a part of a larger parade which continued over days.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Grafton|first1=Anthony|editor1-last=Kearns|editor1-first=Robert|title=Magic and Technology in Early Modern Europe|date=2002 Oct 15|publisher=Dibner Library|url=http://www.sil.si.edu/silpublications/dibner-library-lectures/2002-Grafton/Grafton_2002.pdf|accessdate=10 August 2014|format=PDF}}</ref> |
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In 1454, Duke Philip, created an entertainment show named The extravagant Feast of the Pheasant, which was intended ot influce the Duke's peers to participate in a crusade against the Ottomans, but ended up being a grand display of automata, giants, and dwarves.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Bowles|first1=Edmund A.|title=Instruments at the Court of Burgundy (1363-1467)|journal=The Galpin Society Journal|date=1953|volume=6|pages=41|doi=10.2307/841716|accessdate=10 August 2014|publisher=JSTOR}}</ref> |
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Giovanni Fontana, a Paduan engineer in 1420, developed Bellicorum instrumentorum liber which includes a puppet of a camelid driven by a clothed primate twice the height of a human being and an automaton of Mary Magdalene.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Riskin|first1=edited by Jessica|title=Genesis redux : essays in the history and philosophy of artificial life|date=2007|publisher=University of Chicago Press|location=Chicago [u.a.]|isbn=9780226720807|edition=[Online-Ausg.].}}</ref> |
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== Implementations == |
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=== Attractions === |
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[[File:Sparko.jpg|thumb|right|Westinghouse - Mechanical Dog (Sparko) - Diagram]] |
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The earliest modern animatronics can actually be found in old robots. While some of these robots were in fact animatronics, at the time they were thought of simply as robots because the term animatronics had yet to become popularized. |
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The first animatronics characters to be displayed to the public were a dog, and a horse. Each were the attraction at two separate spectacles during the 1939 New York World's Fair. Sparko, The Robot Dog, pet of [[Elektro]] the Robot, performs in front of the public at the [[1939 New York World's Fair]] but Sparko is not like normal robots, Sparko represents a living animal, thus becoming the very first modern day animatronics character<ref>{{cite web|title=An introduction to Animatronics|url=http://prezi.com/yguvklrxv0e9/an-introduction-to-animatronics/|accessdate=10 August 2014}}</ref>, along with an unnamed horse which was reported to gallop realistically. The animatronics galloping horse was also on display at the 1939 World's Fair, in a different exhibit than Sparko's.<ref>{{cite journal|title=A Mechanical Horse Gallops Realistically|journal=Popular Science|date=1939 Jan|volume=134|issue=1|page=117|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=hCkDAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA117&ots=590nRN0zLB&dq=1939%20worlds%20fair%20mechanical%20horse%20gallops%20realistically&pg=PA117#v=onepage&q=1939%20worlds%20fair%20mechanical%20horse%20gallops%20realistically&f=false|accessdate=10 August 2014}}</ref> |
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{{see also|List of Disney attractions using Audio-Animatronics|Category:Animatronic attractions}} |
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Walt Disney is often credited for popularizing animatronics for entertainment after he bought an animatronic bird while he was vacationing, although it is disputed whether it was in New Orleans<ref name="Disney built an animatronic">{{cite news | url=http://arstechnica.com/the-multiverse/2014/06/how-disney-built-and-programmed-an-animatronic-president/ | title=How Disney built and programmed an animatronic president | work=[[Ars Technica]] | date=June 13, 2014 | accessdate=August 4, 2014 | author=Johnston, Cassey}}</ref> or Europe.<ref>{{cite web|title=The History of Disney’s Audio Animatronics|url=http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/blog/2008/07/08/the-history-of-disneys-audio-animatronics/|website=Magical Kingdoms|accessdate=6 August 2014}}</ref> Disney's vision for audio-animatronics was primarily focused on patriotic displays rather than amusements.<ref name="beyondlincoln"/> |
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In 1951, 2 years after Walt Disney discovered animatronics, he commissioned machinist Roger Broggie and sculptor Wathel Rogers to lead a team tasked with creating a 9" tall figure that could move and talk simulating dance routines performed by actor Buddy Ebsen. The project was titled 'Project Little Man' but was never finished. A year later, [[Walt Disney Imagineering]] was created.<ref name="museum">{{cite web|last1=Gluck|first1=Keith|title=The Early Days of Audio-Animatronics|url=http://www.waltdisney.org/storyboard/early-days-audio-animatronics%C2%A9|publisher=The Walt Disney Family Museum|accessdate=10 August 2014|location=San Francisco, CA|date=2013 June 18|quote=The Walt Disney Family Museum is not affiliated with The Walt Disney Company.}}</ref> |
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After ''Project Little Man'', the Imagineering team at Disney's first project was a ''Chinese Head'' which was on display in the lobby of their office. Customers could ask the head questions and it would reply with words of wisdom. The eyes blinked and its mouth opened and closed.<ref name="museum"/> |
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The [[Walt Disney]] Production company started using animatronics in 1955 for its [[Disneyland]] ride the [[Jungle Cruise]],<ref name='Animating with Animatronics"'>{{cite web|title="Real Life Canvas: Animating with Animatronics"|url=http://dizfanatic.com/DizTech005.aspx|website=DizFanatic.com|accessdate=5 August 2014}}</ref> and later for its attraction [[Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room]] which featured animatronics Enchanted Tiki Birds.<ref name=van2006advanced/> |
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[[File:Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.jpg|300px|right]] |
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The first fully completed human audio-animatronic figure was [[Abraham Lincoln]], created by [[Walt Disney]] in 1964 for the [[1964 New York World's Fair|1964 World's Fair in the New York]]. In 1965, Disney upgraded the figure and coined it as the Lincoln Mark II, which appeared at the Opera House at [[Disneyland Resort]] in California.<ref name="beyondlincoln">{{cite web|last1=Pierce|first1=Todd James|title=Beyond Lincoln: Walt’s Vision for Animatronics in 1965|url=http://www.disneyhistoryinstitute.com/2013/07/beyond-lincoln-walts-vision-for.html|accessdate=6 August 2014}}</ref> For three months, the original Lincoln performed in New York, while the Lincoln Mark II played 5 performances per hour at Disneyland. Body language and facial motions were matched to perfection with the recorded speech.<ref>Huebner, T (2005). [http://www.mouseplanet.com/more/mm050629th.htm Looking back and looking ahead—does this revered attraction have a future?], retrieved November 29, 2011</ref> Actor Royal Dano voiced the animatronics version of Abraham Lincoln.<ref name="beyondlincoln"/> |
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{{further|Great_Moments_with_Mr._Lincoln}} |
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[[Lucky the Dinosaur]] is an approximately {{convert|8|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} green [[Segnosaurus]] which pulls a flower-covered cart and is led by "Chandler the Dinosaur Handler". Lucky is notable in that he was the first free-roving [[audio-animatronic]] figure ever created by [[Walt Disney Imagineering|Disney's Imagineers]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Levelbest Communications |url=http://www.intercot.com/themeparks/animalkingdom/dinolandusa/lucky/default.asp |title=Walt Disney World - Disney World Vacation Information Guide - INTERCOT - Walt Disney World Inside & Out - Theme Parks |publisher=Intercot |date=2005-05-06 |accessdate=2014-08-04}}</ref> The flower cart he pulls conceals the computer and power source.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mouseplanet.com/guide/259/Walt-Disney-World/Disneys-Animal-Kingdom/DinoLand-USA/Lucky-the-Dinosaur |title=MousePlanet Park Guide - Walt Disney World - Lucky the Dinosaur |publisher=Mouseplanet.com |date=2010-06-19 |accessdate=2014-08-04}}</ref> |
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The [[Muppet Mobile Lab]] is a free-roving, audio-animatronic entertainment attraction designed by [[Walt Disney Imagineering]]. Two [[Muppet]] characters, [[Dr. Bunsen Honeydew]] and his assistant, [[Beaker (Muppet)|Beaker]], pilot the vehicle through the park, interacting with guests and deploying special effects such as foggers, flashing lights, moving signs, confetti cannons and spray jets.<ref>{{cite news | first=Scott | last=Powers | title=Muppets go mobile at Epcot | url =http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-muppetlab2207aug22,0,5737331.story | work =Orlando Sentinel | accessdate = 2007-09-14}}</ref> It is currently deployed at [[Hong Kong Disneyland]] in [[Hong Kong]].<ref name=TEA>{{cite web|url=http://www.themeit.com/thea_15annual/articles/Disney.pdf|title=The Themed Entertainment Association’s 15th Thea Awards - Delightfully Disney - Muppet Mobile Lab Profile|publisher=Themed Entertainment Association|accessdate=2009-09-30}}</ref> |
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A [[Laffing Sal]] is one of several automated characters that were used to attract carnival and amusement park patrons to [[funhouse]]s and [[dark ride]]s throughout the [[United States]].<ref name="Laffing">Luca, Bill (2003) [http://www.laffinthedark.com/articles/sal/sal2.htm ''My Gal Sal''] Laff In The Dark.com. Accessed 26 August 2010</ref> Its movements were accompanied by a raucous laugh that sometimes frightened small children and annoyed adults.<ref name="Musee">[http://www.museemechanique.org/3.html ''History of Laffing Sal''], [[Musée Mécanique]]. Accessed 10 August 2007.</ref> |
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[[The Rock-afire Explosion]] in an animatronic robot band that played in [[Showbiz Pizza Place]] from 1980 to 1990. |
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==== Film & Television ==== |
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The film industry has been a driving force revolutionizing the technology used to develop animatronics.<ref name=ces-blog>{{cite web|title=How do they do that? With animatronics!|url=http://animatronicrobotics.com/blog/|publisher=Custom Entertainment Solutions|accessdate=9 August 2014|date=2013 Feb 13}}</ref> |
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Animatronics are used in situations where a creature does not exist, the action is too risky or costly to use real actors or animals, or the action could never be obtained with a living person or animal. Its main advantage over [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] and [[stop motion]] is that the simulated creature has a physical presence moving in front of the camera in real time. The technology behind animatronics has become more advance and sophisticated over the years, making the [[puppet]]s even more realistic and lifelike. |
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Animatronics were first introduced by Disney in the 1964 film ''[[Mary Poppins (film)|Mary Poppins]]'' which featured an animatronics bird. Since then, animatronics have been used extensively in such movies as ''[[Jaws (film)|Jaws]]'', and ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]]'', which relied heavily on animatronics.<ref name="realhistory"/> |
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Directors such as [[Steven Spielberg]] and [[Jim Henson]] have been pioneers in using animatronics in the film industry. |
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[[File:StanWinstonTRex.jpg|250px|thumb|left|The life-sized animatronic ''Tyrannosaurus'' on the set. It is the largest sculpture ever made by Stan Winston Studio.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/blog/jurassic-park-t-rex-sculpting-a-full-size-dinosaur|title=Jurassic Park's T-Rex - Sculpting a Full-Size Dinosaur|date=2012-12-15|publisher=Stan Winston School of Character Arts|accessdate=2014-01-05}}</ref>|alt=A life-sized Tyrannosaurus robotic model, with hydraulics where the dinosaur's feet would be, touches a car in a movie set.]] |
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The 1993 film ''[[Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park]]'' used a combination of [[computer-generated imagery]]in conjunction with life-sized animatronic dinosaurs built by [[Stan Winston]] and his team. Winston's animatronic ''T. rex'' stood {{convert|20|ft|m}}, weighed {{convert|17500|lb|kg}},{{citation needed|date=August 2014}} and was {{convert|40|ft|m}} long.<ref name="magic">{{cite news | author = [[Richard Corliss|Corliss, Richard]] | title = Behind the Magic of Jurassic Park | publisher = [[Time (magazine)|TIME]] | date = April 26, 1993 | url = http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,978307,00.html | accessdate = January 26, 2007}}</ref> [[Jack Horner (paleontologist)|Jack Horner]] called it "the closest I've ever been to a live dinosaur".<ref name="magic" /> The site [[Rotten Tomatoes]] states "''Jurassic Park'' is a spectacle of special effects and life-like animatronics, with some of Spielberg's best sequences of sustained awe and sheer terror since ''[[Jaws (film)|Jaws]]''."<ref>{{cite web | title = Jurassic Park | publisher = Rotten Tomatoes | url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jurassic_park/ | accessdate = April 19, 2013}}</ref> |
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The 1999 BBC miniseries ''[[Walking with Dinosaurs]]'' was produced using a combination of about 80% [[computer generated imagery|CGI]] and 20% animatronic models.<ref name="inno">{{cite web|last1=von Stamm|first1=Bettina|title=Managing Innovation, Design and Creativity|url=http://books.google.ca/books?id=IlC7bN94zWgC&pg=PA34&dq=animatronics&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ygnfU_WhJuPoigL5r4HwAQ&ved=0CDkQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=animatronics&f=false|publisher=Wiley Publishers|accessdate=5 August 2014}}</ref> The quality of computer imagery of the day were good, but animatronics were still better at distance shots, as well as closeups of the dinosaurs.<ref name="inno"/> Animatronics for the serise were designed by British animatronics firm Crawley Creatures.<ref name="inno"/> The show was followed up in 2007 with a live adaptation of the series, ''[[Walking with Dinosaurs#The Arena Spectacular|Walking with Dinosaurs:The Arena Spectacular]]''. |
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[[Geoff Peterson]] is an animatronic human skeleton that serves as the [[sidekick]] on the late-night talk show ''[[The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson]]''. Often referred to as a "robot skeleton", Peterson is a radio-controlled animatronic robot puppet designed and built by [[Grant Imahara]] of ''[[MythBusters]]''.<ref name="Myth Busters">{{cite web |url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/mythbusters/projects/4350887 |title=Craig Ferguson's New Mythbuster Robot Sidekick: Exclusive Pics |work=[[Popular Mechanics]] |date=April 2, 2010 |accessdate=July 29, 2010}}</ref> |
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===== Advertising ===== |
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The British advertisement campaign for [[Cadbury Schweppes]] titled ''[[Gorilla (advertisement)|Gorilla]]'' featured an actor inside a gorilla suit with an animatronically animated face. |
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[[The Slowskys]] was an [[advertising]] campaign for [[Comcast]] Cable's Xfinity [[broadband]] [[Internet service provider|Internet service]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Comcast tortoises deal with sudden fame|url= http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2006/03/comcast_tortois.html|work=Adfreak.com|accessdate=21 October 2010}}</ref> The ad features two animatronic turtles, and it won the gold [[Effie Award]] in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=2007 Gold Effie Winner - Comcast “The Slowskys”|url=http://s3.amazonaws.com/effie_assets/2007/1897/2007_1897_pdf_1.pdf|website=Amazon Web Service|accessdate=7 August 2014}}</ref> |
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==== Toys ==== |
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Some examples of animatronic toys include [[Teddy Ruxpin]], [[Big Mouth Billy Bass]], [[Kota the triceratops]], [[Pleo]] and [[WowWee Alive Chimpanzee]]. |
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==Design== |
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[[File:Animatronic.jpg|thumb|upright|An animatronic]] |
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The construction begins by building the structure, by using internal structures that are often made of steel. Attached to these bones are the muscles which can be manufactured by using stretchable netting filled with styrene beads. <ref>Roberts, Tom. [http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/aug/12/animatronics-dinosaurs-live-show ''Animatronics – with added bite.''] 12 August 2009. In: [[The Guardian]]. Retrieved 6 August 2014. </ref> The frame provides the support for the electronics and mechanical components, as well as providing the shape for the outer skin. |
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The skin of the figure is most often made of foam rubber, silicone or urethane, which is poured into moulds and allowed to cure. To further strengthen the skin, a piece of fabric is cut to size and embedded in the foam rubber after it is poured into the mould. Once cured, each piece of skin is pulled from its mold.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Tyson|first1=Jeff|title=How Animatronics Work|url=http://www.howstuffworks.com/animatronic5.htm|website=How Stuff Works|accessdate=27 November 2011}}</ref> |
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Although basically similar, the design and production processes for animatronics in cinema varies greatly from animation for theme parks and other permanent venues.{{Elucidate|date=August 2014|reason=How does it vary?}} |
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===Structure=== |
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An animatronics character is typically designed to be as realistic as possible and thus, is built similarly to how it would be in real life. The framework of the figure is like the skeleton. Wherever movement is required, joints and motors and actuators and other movement mechanisms, the muscles. Connecting all the electrical components together are wires, such as the nervous system of a real animal or person.<ref name="animatedholidaydisplays">{{cite book | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=txgzjp1mYWUC&printsec=frontcover | title=Animatronics: A Guide to Animated Holiday Displays | publisher=Cengage Learning | author=Wise, Edwin | year=2000 | isbn=0790612194|page=9}}</ref> |
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==== Frame or skeleton ==== |
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Steel, aluminum, plastic, and wood are all commonly used in building animatronics but each has it's best purpose. The relative strength as well as the weight of the material itself should be considered when determining the most appropriate material to use. The cost of the material may also be a concern.<ref name="animatedholidaydisplays"/> |
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==== Exterior or skin ==== |
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Several different materials are commonly used in the fabrication of a animatronics figures exterior. Dependent on the particular circumstances, the best material will be used to produce the most life-like form. |
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For example, eyes and teeth are commonly made completely out of acrylic.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Buffington|first1=Jack|title=Arvid's Eyes|url=http://www.buffingtonfx.com/j1432/animatronics/eye.html|publisher=Buffington Effects|accessdate=9 August 2014}}</ref> |
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===== Latex ===== |
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White [[latex]] is commonly used as a general material because it has a high level of elasticity. Its also pre-vulcanized, making it easy to and fast to apply.<ref>{{cite book|last1=James|first1=Thurston|title=The prop builder's molding & casting handbook|date=1997|publisher=Betterway Books|location=Cincinnati|isbn=1-55870-128-1|page=51|edition=6. pr.}}</ref> Latex is produced in several grades. Grade 74 is a popular form of latex that dries rapidly and can be applied very thick, making it ideal for developing molds.<ref name="buffingtonfx-skin" /> |
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[[Foam latex]] is a lightweight, soft form of latex which is used in [[masks]] and [[facial prosthetics]] to change a person's outward appearance, and in animatronics to create a realistic skin.<ref name="buffingtonfx-skin">{{cite web|last1=Buffington|first1=Jack|title=Skin and Molds|url=http://www.buffingtonfx.com/j1432/animatronics/molds.html|publisher=BuffingtonFX}}</ref> ''[[The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)|The Wizard of Oz]]'' was one of the first films to make extensive use of foam latex prosthetics in the 1930s.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Special Effects: An Introduction to Movie Magic|last = Miller|first = Ron|publisher = Twenty-First Century Books|year = 2006|isbn = |location = |pages = }}</ref> |
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===== Silicone ===== |
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Disney has an entire research team devoted to improving and developing better methods of creating more lifelike animatronics exteriors with [[silicone]].<ref name=siliconeresearch>{{cite web|last1=Chan|first1=Normal|title=Synthetic Skin For Animatronic Robots Gets More Realistic|url=http://www.tested.com/tech/robots/198315-synthetic-skin-for-animatronic-robots-gets-more-realistic/|publisher=Whalerock Industries|accessdate=9 August 2014|date=2012 Aug 15}}</ref> |
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[[RTV silicone]] (room temperature vulcanization silicone) is used primarily as a molding material as it is very easy to use but is relatively expensive. Few other materials stick to it, making molds easy to separate.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Baygan|first1=Lee|title=Techniques of three-dimensional makeup|date=1988|publisher=Watson-Guptill|location=New York, NY|isbn=0-8230-5261-3|page=100}}</ref><ref name=molding>{{cite book|last1=James|first1=Thurston|title=The prop builder's molding & casting handbook|date=1997|publisher=Betterway Books|location=Cincinnati|isbn=1-55870-128-1|page=55|edition=6. pr.}}</ref> |
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Bubbles are removed from silicone by pouring the liquid material in a thin stream or processing in a vacuum chamber prior to use. [[Fumed silica]] is used as a bulking agent for thicker coatings of the material.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Whelan MSc|first1=Tony|title=Polymer Technology Dictionary|date=1994|pages=144-168|doi=10.1007/978-94-011-1292-5_8|url=http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-011-1292-5_8|publisher=Springer Netherlands}}</ref> |
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===== Polyurethane ===== |
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Polyurethane rubber is a more cost effective material to use in place of silicone. Polyurethane comes in various levels of hardness which are measured on the [[Shore scale]]. Rigid [[polyurethane foam]] is used in prototyping because it can be milled and shaped in high density. Flexible polyurethane foam is often used in the actual building of the final animatronic figure because it is flexible and bonds well with latex.<ref name="buffingtonfx-skin" /> |
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===== Plaster ===== |
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As a commonplace construction and home decorating material, plaster is widely available. Its rigidity limits its use in moulds, and plaster moulds are unsuitable when undercuts are present. This may make plaster far more difficult to use than softer materials like latex or silicone.<ref name=molding /> |
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=== Movement === |
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Pneumatic actuators can be used for small animatronics but are not powerful enough for large designs and must be supplemented with hydraulics. To create more realistic movement in large figures, an analog system is generally used to give the figures a full range of fluid motion rather than simple two position movements.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Kornbluh|first1=Roy D|last2=Pelrine|first2=Ron|last3=Qibing|first3=Pei|last4=Heydt|first4=Richard|last5=Stanford|first5=Scott|last6=Oh|first6=Seajin|last7=Eckerle|first7=Joseph|title=Electroelastomers: applications of dielectric elastomer transducers for actuation, generation, and smart structures|journal=Smart Structures and Material|date=2002 July 9|volume=Applications of Smart Structures Technologies|issue=254|doi=10.1117/12.475072|url=http://proceedings.spiedigitallibrary.org/proceeding.aspx?articleid=883273|ref=SPIE 4698}}</ref> |
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=== Emotion Modeling === |
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Mimicing the often subtle displays of humans and other living creatures, and the associated movement is a challenging task when developing animatronics. One of the most common emotional models is the [[Facial Action Coding System]] (FACS) developed by Ekman and Friesen.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Ekman|first1=P|last2=Friesen|first2=W|title=Unmasking the Face: A Guide to Recognizing Emotions From Facial Expressions|date=1975|publisher=Prentice Hall}}</ref> FACS defines that through facial expression, humans can recognize 6 basic emotions: anger, disgust, fear, joy, sadness, and surprise. Another theory is that of Ortony, Clore and Collins, or the OCC model<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Ortony|first1=A|last2=Clore|first2=GL|last3=Collins|first3=A|title=The Cognitive Structure of Emotions|date=1988}}</ref> which defines 22 different emotional categories.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Ribeiro|first1=Tiago|last2=Paiva|first2=Ana|title=The Illusion of Robotic Life|url=http://gaips.inesc-id.pt/~apaiva/Ana_Paiva_Site_2/Home_files/IllusionRoboticLive-HRI2012.pdf|accessdate=9 August 2014|publisher=INESC-ID|location=Porto Salvo, Portugal}}</ref> |
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==Training and education== |
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Animatronics has been developed as a career which combines areas of [[mechanical engineering]], [[casting]]/[[sculpting]], control technologies, electrical/electronic, [[radio control]] and [[airbrushing]]. |
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Colleges and universities do not offer degree programs in animatronics. Individuals interested in animatronics typically earn a degree in robotics which closely relate to the specializations needed in animatronics engineering.<ref>{{cite web|title=Animatronics Degree Programs w/ Career Information|url=http://educationcareerarticles.com/education-articles/majors-overview/animatronics-degree-programs-with-career-information/|website=Education Career Articles|accessdate=6 August 2014|date=25 March 2013}}</ref> |
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Students achieving a bachelors degree in robotics commonly complete courses in: |
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* Mechanical engineering |
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* Industrial robotics |
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* Mechatronics systems |
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* Modeling of robotics systems |
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* Robotics engineering |
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* Foundational theory of robotics |
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* Introduction to robotics |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{portal|Technology}} |
{{portal|Technology|Robotics}} |
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* [[Automaton]] |
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* [[Biomorphic robotics]] |
* [[Biomorphic robotics]] |
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* [[Karakuri ningyō]] |
* [[Karakuri ningyō]] |
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* [[Uncanny valley]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist|30em}} |
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{{Commons category|Animatronic}} |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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{{Subject bar |commons=y |commons-search=Category:Animatronics |n=y |wikt=y |q=y }} |
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{{Robotics}} |
{{Robotics}} |
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{{Technology}} |
{{Technology}} |
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[[Category:Animatronics |
[[Category:Animatronics]] |
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[[Category:Animatronic attractions]] |
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[[Category:Animatronic robots]] |
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[[Category:Disney technology]] |
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[[Category:Disney animation]] |
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[[Category:Robotics hardware]] |
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[[Category:Mechanism design]] |
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[[Category:Amusement parks]] |
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[[Category:Filmmaking]] |
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[[Category:Film characters]] |
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[[Category:Simulation]] |