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{{Short description|Mechatronic puppets}} {{Short description|Mechatronic puppets}}
{{other uses}} {{Other uses}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2022}} {{More citations needed|date=April 2022}}
] in operation at the Laguna Hills, California ] location, September 14, 2017]] ] in operation at the Laguna Hills, California ] location, September 14, 2017]]
]'' at London's ]]] ]'' at London's ]]]


An '''animatronic''' is a ] ]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Definition of Animatronic |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animatronic |access-date=2020-02-07 |website=www.merriam-webster.com |language=en |archive-date=2020-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207072706/https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animatronic |url-status=live }}</ref> controlled by a machine to move in a fluent way.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ANIMATRONIC {{!}} English meaning |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/animatronics |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528142235/https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/animatronics |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |access-date=May 28, 2024 |website=dictionary.cambridge.org/}}</ref> They are a modern variant of the ] and are often used for the portrayal of characters in ]s, ]s and in ] attractions. An '''animatronic''' is a ] ] controlled electronically by machine to move in a fluent way.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-30 |title=Definition of ANIMATRONIC |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animatronic |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=www.merriam-webster.com |language=en}}</ref> They are a modern variant of the ] and are often used for the portrayal of characters in ], ] and in ] attractions.


It is a multidisciplinary field integrating ], ] and ].<ref name="shooter2">{{cite web |last1=Shooter, P.E. |first1=Steven B. |title=Animatronics |url=http://www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/shooter/animatronics%20intro.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427165732/http://www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/shooter/animatronics%20intro.htm |archive-date=27 April 2016 |access-date=10 October 2014 |website=Mechanical Engineering Dept |publisher=Bucknell University}}</ref><ref name="animatronics-defined2">{{cite encyclopedia |title=Define: animatronics |encyclopedia=Oxford Dictionary |publisher=Oxford University Press |url=http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/animatronics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813224139/http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/animatronics |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 13, 2012 |quote=The technique of making and operating lifelike robots}}</ref> Animatronic figures can be implemented with both computer and human control, including ]. Motion ] are often used to imitate muscle movements and create realistic motions. Figures are usually encased in body shells and flexible skins made of hard or soft plastic materials and finished with colors, hair, feathers and other components to make them more lifelike. Animatronics stem from a long tradition of mechanical ] powered by ], ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The history of animatronics |url=https://roborobotics.com/Animatronics/history-of-animatronics.html |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=roborobotics.com |archive-date=2024-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528150801/https://roborobotics.com/Animatronics/history-of-animatronics.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Animatronics are a multidisciplinary field integrating ], ] and ]. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-22 |title=Axtell Hands-Free Animatronics {{!}} Axtell Expressions |url=https://axtell.com/animatronics/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Animatronic Puppets |url=https://roborobotics.com/Animatronics/animatronic-characters/amimatronic-puppets.html |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=roborobotics.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Stan Winston School of Character Arts |url=https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/animatronic-character-creation-organic-mechanics-part-one |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=www.stanwinstonschool.com}}</ref>Animatronic figures can be implemented with both computer and human control, including ]. Motion ] are often used to imitate muscle movements and create realistic motions. Figures are usually encased in body shells and flexible skins made of hard or soft plastic materials and finished with colors, hair, feathers and other components to make them more lifelike. Animatronics stem from a long tradition of mechanical ] powered by ], ] and ].


Before the term "animatronics" became common, they were usually referred to as "]". Since then, robots have become known as more practical programmable machines that do not necessarily resemble living creatures. Robots (or other artificial beings) designed to convincingly resemble humans are known as "]". The term ''Animatronics'' is a ] of ''animate'' and ''electronics''.<ref>{{cite web |title=the definition of animatronic |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/animatronic?s=t |access-date=2014-10-15 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304133117/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/animatronic?s=t |url-status=live }}</ref> The term '']'' was coined by ] in 1961 when he started developing professional animatronics for entertainment and film. Before the term "animatronics" became common, they were usually referred to as "]".<ref>{{Cite web |title=animatronic {{!}} Etymology of animatronic by etymonline |url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/animatronic |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=www.etymonline.com |language=en}}</ref> Since then, robots have become known as more practical programmable machines that do not necessarily resemble living creatures.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-07 |title=Definition of ROBOT |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/robot |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=www.merriam-webster.com |language=en}}</ref> Robots (or other artificial beings) designed to convincingly resemble humans are known as "]". The term ''Animatronics'' is a ] of ''animate'' and ''electronics''. The term '']'' was coined by ] in 1961<ref>{{Cite web |title=AUDIO-ANIMATRONICS Trademark of Disney Enterprises, Inc. - Registration Number 0828370 - Serial Number 72192128 :: Justia Trademarks |url=https://trademarks.justia.com/721/92/audio-animatronics-72192128.html |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=trademarks.justia.com |language=en}}</ref> when he started developing professional animatronics for entertainment and film.], Alberta, Canada.]]

== Modern use ==
], Alberta, Canada.]]
Modern day animatronics play much less of a role in society than they used to, advances in CGI mean animatronics don't need to be used to do things humans can't, with screens and televisions being a more popular option for entertainment, they have been used less as a draw for consumers. However, animatronics still have their place.

=== Usage in theme parks ===
].]] ].]]
{{see also|List of Disney attractions using Audio-Animatronics|Category:Animatronic attractions}}


=== Commercial usage === === History ===
Before electronics, Animatronics were simply puppets made to work with clockwork. These are known today as ]. For most of human history, It has not been possible to create a moving figure resembling an person, That was not directly puppeted by another person.
The 2022 ] ] add uses animatronics to promote the re-branding of the ] line of ].


In the ] era, the first clockwork automated humanoid figures were created.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-03 |title=Automaton {{!}} Definition, History, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/technology/automaton#:~:text=Accounts%20of%20automatons%20in%20China,Hydraulic%20Elegancies%E2%80%9D)%20was%20published. |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Automata |url=https://themadmuseum.co.uk/history-of-automata/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=The Mechanical Art & Design Museum |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Early Humanoid Robots |url=https://cyberneticzoo.com/robot-time-line/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=cyberneticzoo.com |language=en-US}}</ref> These were complex with many movements, However the figures were extremely large, As they contained large cam shaft mechanisms in the base with the introduction of electricity, the mechanisms to create a humanoid figure got smaller and smaller, however very few of the created figures looked human.<ref name=":0" />
The ad shows the animatronic band members from a fictional restaurant named Questy's in a quick montage of their lives. Going from a frequented restaurant to having the characters abandoned on the highway and picked up by the meta company where they reunite in VR.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scherner |first=Hannah |date=2022-02-15 |title=Meta Quest 2 (Super Bowl ad): "Old Friends. New Fun" • Supe Troop |url=https://www.supetroop.com/meta-quest-2/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Supe Troop |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-07-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720131828/https://www.supetroop.com/meta-quest-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfj-QH7IMxQ |title=Meta Quest {{!}} Old Friends. New Fun - 2022 Super Bowl Commercial |date=2022-02-17 |last=VCU Brandcenter |access-date=2024-07-19 |via=YouTube |archive-date=2024-07-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720131823/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfj-QH7IMxQ |url-status=live }}</ref>


The first audio animatronic to convincingly imitate an human was Walt disney's ] attraction at the Illinois State Pavilion of the ]. this marked a change in the industry, as computers where a pivotal part in creating the figure.
=== Other uses ===
] at ]]]
]]]


* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1939}}|event=Sparko, The Robot ''Dog'', and ], performs in front of the public. both manufactured by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Elektro was one of the first robots, using basic sensors and tube logic to receive commands and roughly know when it crashed into a wall. It could blow up balloons, smoke, synthesize text, and move his legs and arms. In 1939, he received his pet, and the first mainstream animatronic, Sparko.<ref name="c421">{{cite web | title=Sparko the Robot Dog | website=cyberneticzoo.com | date=2009-12-22 | url=https://cyberneticzoo.com/robots/1940-sparko-the-robot-dog-american/ | access-date=2024-05-28 | archive-date=2024-03-31 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331054043/https://cyberneticzoo.com/robots/1940-sparko-the-robot-dog-american/ | url-status=live }}</ref> However, unlike ], Sparko had no built in computer and was not remote controlled, instead using an external computer controlled by an operator.<ref name="c421"/> Unlike many depictions of robots in that time, Sparko represented a living animal, and thus becoming the very first modern day animatronic character,<ref name="sparko">{{cite web|title=Robots: Electro and Sparko|url=https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102693533|access-date=7 August 2023|archive-date=7 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807100833/https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102693533|url-status=live}}</ref> along with an unnamed horse which was reported to gallop realistically. The animatronic galloping horse was also on display at the ], in a different exhibit than Sparko's.<ref name="horse">{{cite journal|title=A Mechanical Horse Gallops Realistically|journal=Popular Science|date=Jan 1939|volume=134|issue=1|page=117|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hCkDAAAAMBAJ&q=1939+worlds+fair+mechanical+horse+gallops+realistically&pg=PA117|access-date=10 August 2014|last1=Corporation|first1=Bonnier|archive-date=9 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809010353/https://books.google.com/books?id=hCkDAAAAMBAJ&q=1939+worlds+fair+mechanical+horse+gallops+realistically&pg=PA117#v=snippet&q=1939%20worlds%20fair%20mechanical%20horse%20gallops%20realistically&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>|end_date={{end date|1939}}}}
A pioneer animatronic project to substitute the use of living ]s in India was kickstarted in 2023 with a 3.5-metre-tall replica made by Indian companies Four He-Art Creations and Aanamaker presented to the Sree Krishna Temple in ], ] jointly funded by ] India and local animal welfare group Voices for Asian Elephants.<ref>{{cite news|work=]|title=PETA is building robot elephants for Hindu temples|date=30 Sep 2024|author= Nadia Nooreyezdan|url=https://restofworld.org/2024/divinity-unexpected-robot-elephants/|access-date=23 Oct 2024}}</ref>


* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1961}}|event=Heinrich Ernst develops the MH-1, a computer-operated mechanical hand.<ref name=mh1>{{Cite book|doi=10.1145/1460833.1460839|hdl=1721.1/15735|chapter=MH-1, a computer-operated mechanical hand|title=Proceedings of the May 1-3, 1962, spring joint computer conference on - AIEE-IRE '62 (Spring)|pages=39|year=1962|last1=Ernst|first1=Heinrich A|s2cid=18024020|chapter-url=http://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/1721.1/15735/2/09275630-MIT.pdf|access-date=2018-08-07|archive-date=2024-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809010352/http://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/1721.1/15735/2/09275630-MIT.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
== History ==


*{{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1939}}|event=Sparko, The Robot ''Dog'', and ], performs in front of the public. both manufactured by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Elektro was one of the first robots, using basic sensors and tube logic to receive commands and roughly know when it crashed into a wall. It could blow up balloons, smoke, synthesize text, and move his legs and arms. In 1939, he received his pet, and the first mainstream animatronic, Sparko.<ref name="c421">{{cite web | title=Sparko the Robot Dog | website=cyberneticzoo.com | date=2009-12-22 | url=https://cyberneticzoo.com/robots/1940-sparko-the-robot-dog-american/ | access-date=2024-05-28 | archive-date=2024-03-31 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331054043/https://cyberneticzoo.com/robots/1940-sparko-the-robot-dog-american/ | url-status=live }}</ref> However, unlike ], Sparko had no built in computer and was not remote controlled, instead using an external computer controlled by an operator.<ref name="c421"/> Unlike many depictions of robots in that time, Sparko represented a living animal, and thus becoming the very first modern day animatronic character,<ref name="sparko">{{cite web|title=Robots: Electro and Sparko|url=https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102693533|access-date=7 August 2023|archive-date=7 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807100833/https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102693533|url-status=live}}</ref> along with an unnamed horse which was reported to gallop realistically. The animatronic galloping horse was also on display at the ], in a different exhibit than Sparko's.<ref name="horse">{{cite journal|title=A Mechanical Horse Gallops Realistically|journal=Popular Science|date=Jan 1939|volume=134|issue=1|page=117|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hCkDAAAAMBAJ&q=1939+worlds+fair+mechanical+horse+gallops+realistically&pg=PA117|access-date=10 August 2014|last1=Corporation|first1=Bonnier|archive-date=9 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809010353/https://books.google.com/books?id=hCkDAAAAMBAJ&q=1939+worlds+fair+mechanical+horse+gallops+realistically&pg=PA117#v=snippet&q=1939%20worlds%20fair%20mechanical%20horse%20gallops%20realistically&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>|end_date={{end date|1939}}}}
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1961}}|event=Heinrich Ernst develops the MH-1, a computer-operated mechanical hand.<ref name=mh1>{{Cite book|doi=10.1145/1460833.1460839|hdl=1721.1/15735|chapter=MH-1, a computer-operated mechanical hand|title=Proceedings of the May 1-3, 1962, spring joint computer conference on - AIEE-IRE '62 (Spring)|pages=39|year=1962|last1=Ernst|first1=Heinrich A|s2cid=18024020|chapter-url=http://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/1721.1/15735/2/09275630-MIT.pdf|access-date=2018-08-07|archive-date=2024-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809010352/http://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/1721.1/15735/2/09275630-MIT.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1961}}|event=] coins the term "Audio-Animatronics" and his ] team begins developing modern animatronic technology.<ref name=autonomatronics>{{cite book|last1=Ayala|first1=Alfredo Medina|title=Advances in New Technologies, Interactive Interfaces, and Communicability First International Conference Papers|volume=6616|pages=8–15|location=Huerta Grande, Argentina|date=22 October 2010|publisher=Springer Berlin Heidelberg|isbn=978-3-642-20809-6|edition=1st|doi=10.1007/978-3-642-20810-2_2|chapter=Autonomatronics TM|series=Lecture Notes in Computer Science}}</ref>}} * {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1961}}|event=] coins the term "Audio-Animatronics" and his ] team begins developing modern animatronic technology.<ref name=autonomatronics>{{cite book|last1=Ayala|first1=Alfredo Medina|title=Advances in New Technologies, Interactive Interfaces, and Communicability First International Conference Papers|volume=6616|pages=8–15|location=Huerta Grande, Argentina|date=22 October 2010|publisher=Springer Berlin Heidelberg|isbn=978-3-642-20809-6|edition=1st|doi=10.1007/978-3-642-20810-2_2|chapter=Autonomatronics TM|series=Lecture Notes in Computer Science}}</ref>}}

* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1963}}|event=The first ] created by Disney, the Enchanted Tiki Birds of ], debut at Disneyland.}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Famous Animatronics |url=https://roborobotics.com/Animatronics/famous-animatronics.html |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=roborobotics.com |archive-date=2024-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528153534/https://roborobotics.com/Animatronics/famous-animatronics.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Early Days of Audio-Animatronics© {{!}} The Walt Disney Family Museum |url=https://www.waltdisney.org/blog/early-days-audio-animatronicsc |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=www.waltdisney.org |archive-date=2024-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603022104/https://www.waltdisney.org/blog/early-days-audio-animatronicsc |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-11 |title=The Oldest Audio-Animatronics in Disneyland |url=https://www.thedisneyclassics.com/blog/audio-animatronics-disneyland |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=The Disney Classics |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528153534/https://www.thedisneyclassics.com/blog/audio-animatronics-disneyland |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-27 |title=Sixty Years of Innovation: Audio-Animatronics Technology Begins at Disneyland Park |url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/04/sixty-years-of-innovation-audio-animatronics-technology-begins-at-disneyland-park/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Disney Parks Blog |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809010422/https://disneyparksblog.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> * {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1963}}|event=The first ] created by Disney, the Enchanted Tiki Birds of ], debut at Disneyland.}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Famous Animatronics |url=https://roborobotics.com/Animatronics/famous-animatronics.html |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=roborobotics.com |archive-date=2024-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528153534/https://roborobotics.com/Animatronics/famous-animatronics.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Early Days of Audio-Animatronics© {{!}} The Walt Disney Family Museum |url=https://www.waltdisney.org/blog/early-days-audio-animatronicsc |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=www.waltdisney.org |archive-date=2024-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603022104/https://www.waltdisney.org/blog/early-days-audio-animatronicsc |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-11 |title=The Oldest Audio-Animatronics in Disneyland |url=https://www.thedisneyclassics.com/blog/audio-animatronics-disneyland |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=The Disney Classics |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528153534/https://www.thedisneyclassics.com/blog/audio-animatronics-disneyland |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1964}}|event=In the film '']'', animatronic birds are the first animatronics featured in a motion picture. The first animatronic figure of a person, that of ], is created by Disney for its ] attraction at the Illinois State Pavilion of the ].<ref name=autonomatronics/>}} * 1964: In the film ], animatronic birds are the first animatronics featured in a motion picture. The first animatronic figure of a person, that of ], is created by Disney for its ] attraction at the Illinois State Pavilion of the ].
* 1975 - 1979: ]'s Wolf Pack 5 animatronic show opens at multiple amusement parks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-20 |title=Wolf Pack 5 |url=https://cheeseepedia.org/Wolf_Pack_5 |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Cheese-E-Pedia |language=en |archive-date=2024-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528155442/https://cheeseepedia.org/Wolf_Pack_5 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Wolfpack 5 - Photo Gallery |url=https://www.showbizpizza.com/photos/misc/wolfpack5/index.html |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=www.showbizpizza.com |archive-date=2023-05-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531021939/https://www.showbizpizza.com/photos/misc/wolfpack5/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*{{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1977}}|event= ] later known as ] opens the first major restaurant with animatronics as an attraction.}}<ref name="showbizpizza.com">{{Cite web |title=History Page - The Rock-afire Explosion |url=https://www.showbizpizza.com/rae/history/index.html |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=www.showbizpizza.com |archive-date=2023-04-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421121506/https://www.showbizpizza.com/rae/history/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.micechat.com/170277-animatronic-life-build-better-animatronic-chuck-e-cheese/ |title=MiceChat - Features, This Animatronic Life - This Animatronic Life - How to Build a Better Animatronic Chuck e Cheese |access-date=2024-06-06 |archive-date=2024-06-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606184803/https://www.micechat.com/170277-animatronic-life-build-better-animatronic-chuck-e-cheese/ |url-status=live }}</ref> * 1975 - 1979: ]'s Wolf Pack 5 animatronic show opens at multiple amusement parks.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=History Page - The Rock-afire Explosion |url=https://www.showbizpizza.com/rae/history/index.html |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=www.showbizpizza.com}}</ref>
* 1977: ] later known as ] opens the first major restaurant with animatronics as an attraction.
*1978: AVG Technologies is founded by Alvaro Villa, former head of electronic animation research and development for the Walt Disney Company.<ref name="AVG, Inc. Company">{{Cite web |title=AVG, Inc. Company |url=http://www.a-v-g.com/history.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201013857/http://www.a-v-g.com/history.htm |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |access-date=June 6, 2024 |website=www.a-v-g.com}}</ref>
* 1977: ] debuts "Charlie Plucket" Animatronic on BBC's ]
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1980}}|event=]'s ] restaurant opens with ] animatronic show, directly competing with ].}}<ref name="showbizpizza.com"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Rock-afire Explosion {{!}} ShowBizPizza.com |url=https://www.showbizpizza.com/rae/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=www.showbizpizza.com |archive-date=2024-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430181613/http://www.showbizpizza.com/rae/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=And The Animatronic Band Played On: The Troubled Afterlife Of The Rock-afire Explosion |url=https://dcist.com/story/15/04/22/remember-the-rockafire-explosion/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=DCist |language=en |archive-date=2024-06-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606134934/https://dcist.com/story/15/04/22/remember-the-rockafire-explosion/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 1978: AVG Technologies is founded by Alvaro Villa, former head of electronic animation research and development for the Walt Disney Company.
* 1981: ] renovates it's Sprookjesbos walk through ride, adding 92 animatronics<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sprookjesbos - Coasterpedia - The Roller Coaster and Flat Ride Wiki |url=https://coasterpedia.net/Sprookjesbos |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=coasterpedia.net |language=en-GB |archive-date=2024-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528163801/https://coasterpedia.net/Sprookjesbos |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 1980: ]'s ] restaurant opens with ] animatronic show, directly competing with ].<ref name=":1" />
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1982}}|event=Ben Franklin is the first animatronic 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=4–21|doi=10.2307/4091102|jstor=4091102|year=1983}}</ref>}}
* 1981: ] renovates it's Sprookjesbos walk through ride, adding 92 animatronics
* 1983: AVG would open the successful line of ] restaurants.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.showbizpizza.com/info/related/misc/bullwinkles_1984-manual.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2024-06-06 |archive-date=2024-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619073043/https://www.showbizpizza.com/info/related/misc/bullwinkles_1984-manual.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Bullwinkle's Page |url=https://broadway.thebullwinklespage.com/animatronics/ani_rocky.html |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=broadway.thebullwinklespage.com |archive-date=2024-06-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606134535/https://broadway.thebullwinklespage.com/animatronics/ani_rocky.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bullwinkle's Restaurant {{!}} Retro Junk |url=https://www.retrojunk.com/a/rMDLaZFRY5/bullwinkles-restaurant |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=www.retrojunk.com}}</ref>
* 1982: Ben Franklin is the first animatronic figure to walk up a set of stairs.
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1989}}|event=The second generation of Disney's generic animatronics the "A-100", portraying the Wicked Witch of the West from ''The Wizard of Oz'', is developed for The Great Movie Ride attraction at Disney-MGM Studios.}}<ref name="disneybot"/>
* 1983: AVG would open the successful line of ] restaurants.
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1998}}|event=Tiger Electronics begins selling ], an animatronic pet that speaks over 800 English and "Furbish" phrases and can react to its environment.}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Furby |url=https://robotsguide.com/robots/furby |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=ROBOTS: Your Guide to the World of Robotics |language=en |archive-date=2024-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527133401/https://robotsguide.com/robots/furby |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 1989: The second generation of Disney's generic animatronics the "A-100", portraying the Wicked Witch of the West from ''The Wizard of Oz'', is developed for The Great Movie Ride attraction at Disney-MGM Studios.
* 1999: AVG creates about 140 animatronics for ]. They worked on ], the ], and ]. Most of these rides are still in operation today.<ref name="AVG, Inc. Company"/>
* 1998: Tiger Electronics begins selling ], an animatronic pet that speaks over 800 English and "Furbish" phrases and can react to its environment.
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|2001}}|event=The largest animatronic figure ever built was the '']'' for Steven Spielberg's franchise '']''.}}{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}
* 1999: AVG creates about 140 animatronics for ]. They worked on ], the ], and ]. Most of these rides are still in operation today.
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|2005}}|event=] produces the first version of their animatronic actor, ''RoboThespian''}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-11-15 |title=Robothespian humanoid robot delivers human-like stage performances |url=https://newatlas.com/robothespian-humanoid-robot/20481/ |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=New Atlas |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010114526/https://newatlas.com/robothespian-humanoid-robot/20481/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=RoboThespian |url=https://robotsguide.com/robots/robothespian |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=ROBOTS: Your Guide to the World of Robotics |language=en |archive-date=2024-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726183753/https://robotsguide.com/robots/robothespian |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Robothespian |url=https://www.circusuncertainty.com/robothespian |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Circus Uncertainty |language=en-GB |archive-date=2024-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726183753/https://www.circusuncertainty.com/robothespian |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=RoboThespian |url=https://engineeredarts.co.uk/robot/robothespian/ |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Engineered Arts |language=en-GB |archive-date=2024-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726183754/https://engineeredarts.co.uk/robot/robothespian/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 2001: The largest animatronic figure ever built was the '']'' for Steven Spielberg's franchise ].{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|2008|10|31}}|end_date={{End date|2009|07|01}}|event=The Abraham Lincoln animatronic character is upgraded to incorporate new technology.<ref name=autonomatronics/>|location=]}}{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}
* 2005: ] produces the first version of their animatronic actor, ''RoboThespian''
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|2019}}|event=Disney releases a number of new characters based on their third-generation platform "A-1000"}}<ref name="disneybot">{{Cite web |title=From A1 to A100 to A1000 - Disney's animatronic journey |url=https://florence20.typepad.com/renaissance/2020/03/from-a1-to-a100-to-a1000-disneys-animatronic-journey.html |access-date=2023-12-07 |archive-date=2023-12-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207181016/https://florence20.typepad.com/renaissance/2020/03/from-a1-to-a100-to-a1000-disneys-animatronic-journey.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* October 31, 2008 – July 1, 2009: The Abraham Lincoln animatronic character is upgraded to incorporate new technology., ]{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}
* 2019: Disney releases a number of new characters based on their third-generation platform "A-1000"
<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-27 |title=Sixty Years of Innovation: Audio-Animatronics Technology Begins at Disneyland Park |url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/04/sixty-years-of-innovation-audio-animatronics-technology-begins-at-disneyland-park/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Disney Parks Blog |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809010422/https://disneyparksblog.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>


== Animatronics in films == == Animatronics in films ==
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|access-date=9 August 2014|date=2013-02-13|archive-date=2017-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213082029/http://animatronicrobotics.com/blog/|url-status=live}}</ref> Animatronics are used in situations where a creature does not exist (like Five Nights at Freddy's), 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 ] and ] 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 ]s even more lifelike.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} 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|access-date=9 August 2014|date=2013-02-13|archive-date=2017-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213082029/http://animatronicrobotics.com/blog/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 ] and ] 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 ]s even more lifelike. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-28 |title=Animatronics Through the Ages |url=https://ejunkieblog.com/2023/10/28/animatronics-through-the-ages/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Entertainment Junkie Blog |language=en}}</ref>


Animatronics were first introduced by Disney in the 1964 film '']'' which featured an animatronic bird. Since then, animatronics have been used extensively in such movies as '']'', and '']'', which relied heavily on animatronics.<ref name="realhistory">{{cite web | url=http://roborobotics.com/Animatronics/history-of-animatronics.html | title=The Real History of Animatronics | publisher=Rogers Studios | access-date=August 4, 2014 | archive-date=March 4, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063925/http://roborobotics.com/Animatronics/history-of-animatronics.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Animatronics were first introduced by Disney in the 1964 film ] which featured an animatronic bird. Since then, animatronics have been used extensively in such movies as ], and '']'', which relied heavily on animatronics.<ref name="realhistory">{{cite web | url=http://roborobotics.com/Animatronics/history-of-animatronics.html | title=The Real History of Animatronics | publisher=Rogers Studios | access-date=August 4, 2014 | archive-date=March 4, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063925/http://roborobotics.com/Animatronics/history-of-animatronics.html | url-status=live }}</ref>


Directors such as ] and ] have been pioneers in using animatronics in the film industry; a film co-directed by the latter, '']'', showcased groundbreaking puppets designed by ] and created by Henson's then recently established ] in London. Directors such as ] and ] have been pioneers in using animatronics in the film industry; a film co-directed by the latter, '']'', showcased groundbreaking puppets designed by ] and created by Henson's then recently established ] in London.
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] called it "the closest I've ever been to a live dinosaur".<ref name="magic" /> Critics referred to Spielberg's ''dinosaurs'' as ''breathtakingly — and terrifyingly — realistic''.<ref name=cohen>{{cite web|last1=Cohen|first1=Matt|title=Why Jurassic Park was meant to be seen in 3D|url=http://theweek.com/article/index/242345/why-jurassic-park-was-meant-to-be-seen-in-3d|publisher=THE WEEK Publications, Inc|access-date=21 October 2014|date=2012-04-05|quote=Spielberg's dinosaurs were breathtakingly — and terrifyingly — realistic.|archive-date=2014-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801093208/http://theweek.com/article/index/242345/why-jurassic-park-was-meant-to-be-seen-in-3d|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=neale>{{cite journal|last1=Neale|first1=Beren|title=How Jurassic Park made cinematic history|journal=3D World|date=17 September 2014|issue=182|url=http://www.creativebloq.com/3d/how-jurassic-park-made-cinematic-history-91412988|access-date=21 October 2014|quote=Seeing Jurassic Park made me realise that my destiny was in digital|archive-date=18 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018060112/http://www.creativebloq.com/3d/how-jurassic-park-made-cinematic-history-91412988|url-status=live}}</ref> ] called it "the closest I've ever been to a live dinosaur".<ref name="magic" /> Critics referred to Spielberg's ''dinosaurs'' as ''breathtakingly — and terrifyingly — realistic''.<ref name=cohen>{{cite web|last1=Cohen|first1=Matt|title=Why Jurassic Park was meant to be seen in 3D|url=http://theweek.com/article/index/242345/why-jurassic-park-was-meant-to-be-seen-in-3d|publisher=THE WEEK Publications, Inc|access-date=21 October 2014|date=2012-04-05|quote=Spielberg's dinosaurs were breathtakingly — and terrifyingly — realistic.|archive-date=2014-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801093208/http://theweek.com/article/index/242345/why-jurassic-park-was-meant-to-be-seen-in-3d|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=neale>{{cite journal|last1=Neale|first1=Beren|title=How Jurassic Park made cinematic history|journal=3D World|date=17 September 2014|issue=182|url=http://www.creativebloq.com/3d/how-jurassic-park-made-cinematic-history-91412988|access-date=21 October 2014|quote=Seeing Jurassic Park made me realise that my destiny was in digital|archive-date=18 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018060112/http://www.creativebloq.com/3d/how-jurassic-park-made-cinematic-history-91412988|url-status=live}}</ref>


The 1999 BBC miniseries '']'' was produced using a combination of about 80% ] and 20% animatronic models.<ref name="inno">{{cite book|last1=von Stamm|first1=Bettina|title=Managing Innovation, Design and Creativity|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IlC7bN94zWgC&pg=PA34|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|edition=2nd|date=19 May 2008|access-date=5 August 2014|isbn=9780470510667}}</ref> The quality of computer imagery of the day was good, but animatronics were still better at distance shots, as well as closeups of the dinosaurs.<ref name="inno"/> Animatronics for the series 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, '']''.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} The 1999 BBC miniseries '']'' was produced using a combination of about 80% ] and 20% animatronic models.<ref name="inno">{{cite book|last1=von Stamm|first1=Bettina|title=Managing Innovation, Design and Creativity|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IlC7bN94zWgC&pg=PA34|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|edition=2nd|date=19 May 2008|access-date=5 August 2014|isbn=9780470510667}}</ref> The quality of computer imagery of the day was good, but animatronics were still better at distance shots, as well as closeups of the dinosaurs.<ref name="inno"/> Animatronics for the series 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, '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Walking with Dinosaurs: The Arena Spectacular – Theatrecrafts.com |url=https://www.theatrecrafts.com/pages/home/shows/walking-dinosaurs-arena-spectacular/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |language=en-GB}}</ref>


] is an animatronic human skeleton that serves as the ] on the late-night talk show '']''. Often referred to as a "robot skeleton", Peterson is a radio-controlled animatronic robot puppet designed and built by ] of '']''.<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 |first1=Erin |last1=McCarthy |work=Popular Mechanics |date=2 April 2010 |access-date=29 July 2010 |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809010358/https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a5473/4350887/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ] is an animatronic human skeleton that serves as the ] on the late-night talk show '']''. Often referred to as a "robot skeleton", Peterson is a radio-controlled animatronic robot puppet designed and built by ] of '']''.<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 |first1=Erin |last1=McCarthy |work=Popular Mechanics |date=2 April 2010 |access-date=29 July 2010 |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809010358/https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a5473/4350887/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Films focusing on animatronics === === Films focusing on animatronics ===
* '']'', a 2019 American ] film starring ], ], ], and the voice of ], follows a young boy and his family who, as a birthday present, attend a ] of a successful ] featuring Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper, and Snorky, four goofy-like animatronic characters. However, their new ] go haywire upon learning the upcoming cancellation of their show and the characters start a killing spree that the crew and audience must survive. It is a horror reimagining of the ].{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} * '']'', a 2019 American ] film starring ], ], ], and the voice of ], follows a young boy and his family who, as a birthday present, attend a ] of a successful ] featuring Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper, and Snorky, four goofy-like animatronic characters. However, their new ] go haywire upon learning the upcoming cancellation of their show and the characters start a killing spree that the crew and audience must survive. It is a horror reimagining of the ].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/TheBananaSplits |title=The Banana Splits |access-date=2025-01-16 |via=tvtropes.org}}</ref>
* '']'', a 2021 American ] comedy horror film starring ], ], ] and ], follows a quiet drifter who is tricked into cleaning up a once-successful abandoned ] while battling the restaurant's eight murderous animatronic characters (possessed by souls of ] ]s) with the aid of a teenager and her friends.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}<ref>{{cite web |last=C |first=Mark |date=February 25, 2021 |title=WILLY'S WONDERLAND Interview: Director Kevin Lewis On Casting Nicolas Cage, Possible Sequel, & More |url=https://www.comicbookmovie.com/horror/willys-wonderland-interview-director-kevin-lewis-on-casting-nicolas-cage-possible-sequel-more-a182708 |access-date=March 3, 2021 |website=ComicBookMovie.com |archive-date=March 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305233047/https://www.comicbookmovie.com/horror/willys-wonderland-interview-director-kevin-lewis-on-casting-nicolas-cage-possible-sequel-more-a182708 |url-status=live }}</ref> * '']'', a 2021 American ] comedy horror film starring ], ], ] and ], follows a quiet drifter who is tricked into cleaning up a once-successful abandoned ] while battling the restaurant's eight murderous animatronic characters (possessed by souls of ] ]s) with the aid of a teenager and her friends.<ref>{{cite web |last=C |first=Mark |date=February 25, 2021 |title=WILLY'S WONDERLAND Interview: Director Kevin Lewis On Casting Nicolas Cage, Possible Sequel, & More |url=https://www.comicbookmovie.com/horror/willys-wonderland-interview-director-kevin-lewis-on-casting-nicolas-cage-possible-sequel-more-a182708 |access-date=March 3, 2021 |website=ComicBookMovie.com |archive-date=March 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305233047/https://www.comicbookmovie.com/horror/willys-wonderland-interview-director-kevin-lewis-on-casting-nicolas-cage-possible-sequel-more-a182708 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* '']'', a 2023 American ] film starring ], ], ], ], and ], follows a troubled young man caring for his 10-year-old sister who is suggested by his ] to take up a night shift job at a once-successful abandoned ], while keeping an eye on the restaurant's four murderous animatronic characters Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy (possessed by the ] of five missing dead ]) while trying to figure out unsolved ] of his younger brother more than a decade before. It is based on the ] video game series created by ].{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}<ref>{{cite web |date=October 29, 2023 |title=FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S Racing Towards $130M Global Opening Weekend |url=https://comicbookmovie.com/video-games/five-nights-at-freddys-racing-towards-130m-global-opening-weekend-a207510 |access-date=February 11, 2024 |website=ComicBookMovie.com |archive-date=October 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031104342/https://comicbookmovie.com/video-games/five-nights-at-freddys-racing-towards-130m-global-opening-weekend-a207510 |url-status=live }}</ref> * ], a 2023 American ] film starring ], ], ], ], and ], follows a troubled young man caring for his 10-year-old sister who is suggested by his ] to take up a night shift job at a once-successful abandoned ], while keeping an eye on the restaurant's four murderous animatronic characters Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy (possessed by the ] of five missing dead ]) while trying to figure out unsolved ] of his younger brother more than a decade before. It is based on the '']'' video game series created by ].<ref>{{cite web |date=October 29, 2023 |title=FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S Racing Towards $130M Global Opening Weekend |url=https://comicbookmovie.com/video-games/five-nights-at-freddys-racing-towards-130m-global-opening-weekend-a207510 |access-date=February 11, 2024 |website=ComicBookMovie.com |archive-date=October 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031104342/https://comicbookmovie.com/video-games/five-nights-at-freddys-racing-towards-130m-global-opening-weekend-a207510 |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Short films === === Short films ===
*'']'', a 2018 horror short film directed by Jack Bishop and Justin Nijm, and starring Nick Armstrong and Roman George, follows a bratty birthday boy at Pandory's Pan Pizza Palace, a ]-like restaurant, who has an awkward situation with Pandory the Panda, the pizzeria's ] animatronic mascot. It premiered at ] as part of its "Huluween" film competition. * '']'', a 2018 horror short film directed by Jack Bishop and Justin Nijm, and starring Nick Armstrong and Roman George, follows a bratty birthday boy at Pandory's Pan Pizza Palace, a ]-like restaurant, who has an awkward situation with Pandory the Panda, the pizzeria's ] animatronic mascot. It premiered at ] as part of its "Huluween" film competition.


=== Television === === Television ===
* The Capicola Gang, a trio of evil ] animatronic animals from The Fun Fun Zone, consisting of Dominic (a robot ], although listed in the credits as Main Bear), who is based on ] from '']'', Louie (a robot ]), and Amelia (a robot ], although listed in the credits as Duck Lady), are the main antagonists in the '']'' episodes "Fuzzy Dice"{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} and "Steak Me Amadeus".{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} The Capicola Gang Leader had a ] as an incriminating witness in "Can you Ear Me Now?"{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} where he testified in court against Mordecai and Rigby. They share a resemblance to the characters from the popular game series '']'' and the popular kids entertainment center ].{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} * The Capicola Gang, a trio of evil ] animatronic animals from The Fun Fun Zone, consisting of Dominic (a robot ], although listed in the credits as Main Bear), who is based on ] from '']'', Louie (a robot ]), and Amelia (a robot ], although listed in the credits as Duck Lady), are the main antagonists in the '']'' episodes "Fuzzy Dice"{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} and "Steak Me Amadeus".{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} The Capicola Gang Leader had a ] as an incriminating witness in "Can you Ear Me Now?"{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} where he testified in court against Mordecai and Rigby. They share a resemblance to the characters from the popular game series '']'' and the popular kids entertainment center ].{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}
*Hoo-Ha's Jamboree, an animatronic band at Hoo-Ha Owl's Pizzamatronic Jamboree, and a parody of ] of ], which consist of Hoo-Ha the Owl (], and ]), Cheerleader (]), Beaver (guitarist), Rat in a Barrel (two same animatronics sit on either side of the stage), Cowboy Frog (] player), and Will E. Badger (]) are the secondary ] in the '']'' episodes "Soos and the Real Girl",{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} "Weirdmageddon Part 1",{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} and "Weirdmageddon 2: Escape From Reality".{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} * Hoo-Ha's Jamboree, an animatronic band at Hoo-Ha Owl's Pizzamatronic Jamboree, and a parody of ] of ], which consist of Hoo-Ha the Owl (], and ]), Cheerleader (]), Beaver (guitarist), Rat in a Barrel (two same animatronics sit on either side of the stage), Cowboy Frog (] player), and Will E. Badger (]) are the secondary ] in the '']'' episodes "Soos and the Real Girl",{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} "Weirdmageddon Part 1",{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} and "Weirdmageddon 2: Escape From Reality".{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}


=== Advertising === === Advertising ===
The British advertisement campaign for ] titled '']'' featured an actor inside a gorilla suit with an animatronically animated face.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} The British advertisement campaign for ] titled ] featured an actor inside a gorilla suit with an animatronically animated face.


] was an ] campaign for ] Cable's Xfinity ] ]. The ad features two animatronic turtles, and it won the gold Effie Award in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=2007 Gold Effie Winner&nbsp;— Comcast "The Slowskys"|url=http://s3.amazonaws.com/effie_assets/2007/1897/2007_1897_pdf_1.pdf|website=Amazon Web Service|access-date=7 August 2014}}</ref> ] was an ] campaign for ] Cable's Xfinity ] ]. The ad features two animatronic turtles, and it won the gold Effie Award in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=2007 Gold Effie Winner&nbsp;— Comcast "The Slowskys"|url=http://s3.amazonaws.com/effie_assets/2007/1897/2007_1897_pdf_1.pdf|website=Amazon Web Service|access-date=7 August 2014}}</ref>
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== Design == == Design ==

There are quite a few ways to build an animatronic, however most follow this basic structure: There are quite a few ways to build an animatronic, however most follow this basic structure:


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". Joints, motors, and ]s act as the "muscles". Connecting all the electrical components together are wires, such as the "nervous system" of a real animal or person.<ref name="animatedholidaydisplays3">{{cite book |author=Wise, Edwin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=txgzjp1mYWUC |title=Animatronics: A Guide to Animated Holiday Displays |publisher=Cengage Learning |year=2000 |isbn=978-0790612195 |page=9 |access-date=2016-02-22 |archive-date=2024-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809010857/https://books.google.com/books?id=txgzjp1mYWUC |url-status=live }}</ref> Steel, aluminum, plastic, and wood are all commonly used in building animatronics but each has its 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="animatedholidaydisplays3" /> Several materials are commonly used in the fabrication of an animatronics figure's exterior. Dependent on the particular circumstances, the best material will be used to produce the most lifelike form. For example, "eyes" and "teeth" are commonly made completely out of acrylic.<ref name="buffingtonfx-arvidseyes2">{{cite web |last1=Buffington |first1=Jack |title=Arvid's Eyes |url=http://www.buffingtonfx.com/j1432/animatronics/eye.html |access-date=9 August 2014 |publisher=Buffington Effects |archive-date=29 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129220702/http://www.buffingtonfx.com/j1432/animatronics/eye.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 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". Joints, motors, and ]s act as the "muscles". Connecting all the electrical components together are wires, such as the "nervous system" of a real animal or person.<ref name="animatedholidaydisplays3">{{cite book |author=Wise, Edwin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=txgzjp1mYWUC |title=Animatronics: A Guide to Animated Holiday Displays |publisher=Cengage Learning |year=2000 |isbn=978-0790612195 |page=9 |access-date=2016-02-22 |archive-date=2024-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809010857/https://books.google.com/books?id=txgzjp1mYWUC |url-status=live }}</ref> Steel, aluminum, plastic, and wood are all commonly used in building animatronics but each has its 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="animatedholidaydisplays3" /> Several materials are commonly used in the fabrication of an animatronics figure's exterior. Dependent on the particular circumstances, the best material will be used to produce the most lifelike form. For example, "eyes" and "teeth" are commonly made completely out of acrylic.<ref name="buffingtonfx-arvidseyes2">{{cite web |last1=Buffington |first1=Jack |title=Arvid's Eyes |url=http://www.buffingtonfx.com/j1432/animatronics/eye.html |access-date=9 August 2014 |publisher=Buffington Effects |archive-date=29 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129220702/http://www.buffingtonfx.com/j1432/animatronics/eye.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


Some examples of different methods of building animatronics are Chuck E. Cheese's studio c animatronic, made of latex rubber, metal, and plastic supported by an internal skeleton<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2000 |title=Chuck E. Cheese Studio C Maintenance Manual |url=https://archive.org/details/studio-c-technical-manual |url-status= |archive-url= |access-date=August 1, 2024 |website=]}}</ref> and on the other end of the spectrum is the all metal ] animatronic in Australia, using water to actuate the characters mouth.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-08 |title=the bunyip {{!}} murray bridge tourism |url=https://www.murraybridge.sa.gov.au/tourism/things-to-see-and-do/family-activities-and-attractions/bunyip |website=Murray Bridge Tourism |access-date=2024-05-27 |archive-date=2024-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527162912/https://www.murraybridge.sa.gov.au/tourism/things-to-see-and-do/family-activities-and-attractions/bunyip |url-status=live }}</ref> Some examples of different methods of building animatronics are Chuck E. Cheese's studio c animatronic, made of latex rubber, metal, and plastic supported by an internal skeleton<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2000 |title=Chuck E. Cheese Studio C Maintenance Manual |url=https://archive.org/details/studio-c-technical-manual |access-date=August 1, 2024 |website=]}}</ref> and on the other end of the spectrum is the all metal ] animatronic in Australia, using water to actuate the characters mouth.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-08 |title=the bunyip {{!}} murray bridge tourism |url=https://www.murraybridge.sa.gov.au/tourism/things-to-see-and-do/family-activities-and-attractions/bunyip |website=Murray Bridge Tourism |access-date=2024-05-27 |archive-date=2024-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527162912/https://www.murraybridge.sa.gov.au/tourism/things-to-see-and-do/family-activities-and-attractions/bunyip |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Materials === === Materials ===

* Latex: White ] is commonly used as a general material because it has a high level of elasticity. It is also pre-vulcanized, making it easy 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=978-1-55870-128-1|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" /> ] is a lightweight, soft form of latex which is used in ]s and ]s 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|access-date=2014-08-09|archive-date=2015-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923195050/http://www.buffingtonfx.com/j1432/animatronics/molds.html|url-status=live}}</ref> '']'' 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}}</ref> * Latex: White ] is commonly used as a general material because it has a high level of elasticity. It is also pre-vulcanized, making it easy 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=978-1-55870-128-1|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" /> ] is a lightweight, soft form of latex which is used in ]s and ]s 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|access-date=2014-08-09|archive-date=2015-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923195050/http://www.buffingtonfx.com/j1432/animatronics/molds.html|url-status=live}}</ref> '']'' 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}}</ref>
* Silicone: Disney has a research team devoted to improving and developing better methods of creating more lifelike animatronics exteriors with ].<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/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812200316/http://www.tested.com/tech/robots/198315-synthetic-skin-for-animatronic-robots-gets-more-realistic/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 12, 2014|publisher=Whalerock Industries|access-date=9 August 2014|date=15 August 2012}}</ref> ] (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=978-0-8230-5261-5|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=978-1-55870-128-1|page=55|edition=6. pr.}}</ref> Bubbles are removed from silicone by pouring the liquid material in a thin stream or processing in a vacuum chamber prior to use. ] is used as a bulking agent for thicker coatings of the material.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Whelan|first1=Tony|title=Polymer Technology Dictionary|date=1994|pages=144–168|doi=10.1007/978-94-011-1292-5_8|publisher=Springer Netherlands|chapter=F|isbn=978-94-010-4564-3}}</ref> * Silicone: Disney has a research team devoted to improving and developing better methods of creating more lifelike animatronics exteriors with ].<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/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812200316/http://www.tested.com/tech/robots/198315-synthetic-skin-for-animatronic-robots-gets-more-realistic/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 12, 2014|publisher=Whalerock Industries|access-date=9 August 2014|date=15 August 2012}}</ref> ] (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=978-0-8230-5261-5|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=978-1-55870-128-1|page=55|edition=6. pr.}}</ref> Bubbles are removed from silicone by pouring the liquid material in a thin stream or processing in a vacuum chamber prior to use. ] is used as a bulking agent for thicker coatings of the material.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Whelan|first1=Tony|title=Polymer Technology Dictionary|date=1994|pages=144–168|doi=10.1007/978-94-011-1292-5_8|publisher=Springer Netherlands|chapter=F|isbn=978-94-010-4564-3}}</ref>
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] actuators can be used for small animatronics but are not powerful enough for large designs and must be supplemented with ]s. 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=July 9, 2002|volume=Applications of Smart Structures Technologies|issue=254|pages=254|doi=10.1117/12.475072|url=http://proceedings.spiedigitallibrary.org/proceeding.aspx?articleid=883273|ref=SPIE 4698|series=Smart Structures and Materials 2002: Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies|bibcode=2002SPIE.4698..254K|s2cid=110672457}}</ref> ] actuators can be used for small animatronics but are not powerful enough for large designs and must be supplemented with ]s. 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=July 9, 2002|volume=Applications of Smart Structures Technologies|issue=254|pages=254|doi=10.1117/12.475072|url=http://proceedings.spiedigitallibrary.org/proceeding.aspx?articleid=883273|ref=SPIE 4698|series=Smart Structures and Materials 2002: Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies|bibcode=2002SPIE.4698..254K|s2cid=110672457}}</ref>


Mimicking 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 ] (FACS) developed by Ekman and Friesen.<ref name=ekman>{{cite book|last1=Ekman|first1=Paul|last2=Friesen|first2=Wallace V.|title=Unmasking the face : a guide to recognizing emotions from facial clues|date=1975|publisher=Prentice-Hall|location=Englewood Cliffs, N. J.|isbn=9780139381751|edition=2. |url=http://ohycirac.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/unmasking-the-face-a-guide-to-recognizing-emotions-from-facial-clues.pdf|access-date=13 October 2014|archive-date=7 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107232859/http://ohycirac.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/unmasking-the-face-a-guide-to-recognizing-emotions-from-facial-clues.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> FACS defines that through facial expression, humans can recognize six 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=Andrew |last2=Clore |first2=Gerald L. |last3=Collins |first3=Allan |date=1988 |title=The Cognitive Structure of Emotions |url=http://www.cogsci.northwestern.edu/courses/cg207/readings/Cognitive_Structure_of_Emotions_exerpt.pdf |url-status=dead |journal=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123055038/http://www.cogsci.northwestern.edu/courses/cg207/readings/Cognitive_Structure_of_Emotions_exerpt.pdf |archive-date=2015-11-23}}</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|access-date=9 August 2014|publisher=INESC-ID|location=Porto Salvo, Portugal|archive-date=9 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809183642/http://gaips.inesc-id.pt/~apaiva/Ana_Paiva_Site_2/Home_files/IllusionRoboticLive-HRI2012.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Dead link|date=August 2024}} Mimicking 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 ] (FACS) developed by Ekman and Friesen.<ref name=ekman>{{cite book|last1=Ekman|first1=Paul|last2=Friesen|first2=Wallace V.|title=Unmasking the face : a guide to recognizing emotions from facial clues|date=1975|publisher=Prentice-Hall|location=Englewood Cliffs, N. J.|isbn=9780139381751|edition=2. |url=http://ohycirac.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/unmasking-the-face-a-guide-to-recognizing-emotions-from-facial-clues.pdf|access-date=13 October 2014|archive-date=7 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107232859/http://ohycirac.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/unmasking-the-face-a-guide-to-recognizing-emotions-from-facial-clues.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> FACS defines that through facial expression, humans can recognize six 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=Andrew |last2=Clore |first2=Gerald L. |last3=Collins |first3=Allan |date=1988 |title=The Cognitive Structure of Emotions |url=http://www.cogsci.northwestern.edu/courses/cg207/readings/Cognitive_Structure_of_Emotions_exerpt.pdf |url-status=dead |journal=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123055038/http://www.cogsci.northwestern.edu/courses/cg207/readings/Cognitive_Structure_of_Emotions_exerpt.pdf |archive-date=2015-11-23}}</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|access-date=9 August 2014|publisher=INESC-ID|location=Porto Salvo, Portugal|archive-date=9 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809183642/http://gaips.inesc-id.pt/~apaiva/Ana_Paiva_Site_2/Home_files/IllusionRoboticLive-HRI2012.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>


In 2020 Disney revealed its new animatronics robot that can breathe, move its eyes very much like humans, and identify people around it in order to select "an appropriate" response, as opposed to previous Disney animatronics that were used in purely scripted, ] situations, like ] rides.<ref>{{cite web |title=Disney's new robot has a creepily human gaze |format=Video |website=CNN |date=2 November 2020 |access-date=4 Nov 2020 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2020/11/02/disney-lifelike-robot-no-skin-orig.cnn-business/video/playlists/stories-worth-watching/ |archive-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103231636/https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2020/11/02/disney-lifelike-robot-no-skin-orig.cnn-business/video/playlists/stories-worth-watching/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020 Disney revealed its new animatronics robot that can breathe, move its eyes very much like humans, and identify people around it in order to select "an appropriate" response, as opposed to previous Disney animatronics that were used in purely scripted, ] situations, like ] rides.<ref>{{cite web |title=Disney's new robot has a creepily human gaze |format=Video |website=CNN |date=2 November 2020 |access-date=4 Nov 2020 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2020/11/02/disney-lifelike-robot-no-skin-orig.cnn-business/video/playlists/stories-worth-watching/ |archive-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103231636/https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2020/11/02/disney-lifelike-robot-no-skin-orig.cnn-business/video/playlists/stories-worth-watching/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
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=== Games === === Games ===
] Glamrock Freddy cosplayer at Comic-Con in November 2023]]
* ] Glamrock Freddy cosplayer at Comicon in November 2023]]'']'' (commonly known as FNaF), a horror video game series, features various animatronic entertainers as antagonists who try to kill the player character, who is typically a nighttime security guard or employee at one of the facilities (usually a pizzeria) where the animatronics reside. In the first game of the series ], the animatronics' violent attitude towards humans at night is explained away as faulty programming, which causes them to mistake the protagonist for an endoskeleton without a character suit on—which goes against the establishment's rules. As a result, the animatronics try to "forcefully stuff" the player character into a suit, resulting in their death. However, the games feature a deep lore (gradually revealed through various ]s and ]) which reveals that many of the animatronics are actually haunted by the spirits of children whose deaths are somehow connected to the fictional restaurant franchise "Freddy Fazbear's Pizza". At least six of these children were murdered by ] (A.K.A. "The Purple Guy"), one of the co-founders of the original restaurant and the series' overarching villain, who would go on to possess an animatronic of his own after his death.<ref name="IGM2">{{cite web |url=http://indiegamemag.com/igm-interviews-scott-cawthon-five-nights-at-freddys/ |title=IGM Interviews – Scott Cawthon (Five Nights at Freddy's) |work=IGM |access-date=March 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124085955/http://indiegamemag.com/igm-interviews-scott-cawthon-five-nights-at-freddys/ |archive-date=January 24, 2018 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Oxford|first=Nadia|date=June 29, 2018|title=Murder, Dysfunctional Families, and Purple Guys: The Larger Story Behind the Five Nights at Freddy's Games |work=USGamer|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/murder-ghosts-and-revenge-the-larger-story-behind-the-five-nights-at-freddys-games-06-2018|url-status=live|access-date=December 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114210648/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/murder-ghosts-and-revenge-the-larger-story-behind-the-five-nights-at-freddys-games-06-2018|archive-date=November 14, 2020}}</ref> Since the original game, ''Five Nights at Freddy's'' has evolved into a large media franchise comprising various sequels, prequels and spin-offs, fan games, a novel trilogy,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3373639/five-nights-at-freddys-the-silver-eyes-is-already-out/ |title='Five Nights at Freddy's: The Silver Eyes' is Out Now – Bloody Disgusting! |website=bloody-disgusting.com |date=18 December 2015 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810050855/http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3373639/five-nights-at-freddys-the-silver-eyes-is-already-out/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/12/14/10110096/five-nights-at-freddys-novel-kindle-hardcover-release |title=Five Nights at Freddy's novel hits stores next year |last1=Frank |first1=Allegra |date=December 14, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |website=] |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810052449/https://www.polygon.com/2015/12/14/10110096/five-nights-at-freddys-novel-kindle-hardcover-release |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-12-18-five-nights-at-freddys-creator-releases-spin-off-novel |title=Five Nights at Freddy's creator releases spin-off novel |last=Matulef |first=Jeffrey |work=] |date=December 17, 2015 |access-date=December 17, 2015 |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810012313/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-12-18-five-nights-at-freddys-creator-releases-spin-off-novel |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.autoworldnews.com/articles/29307/20170207/five-nights-freddy-s-twisted-ones-book-will-scare-charlie.htm |title='Five Nights At Freddy's: The Twisted Ones' Book Will Scare You With Charlie's Nightmares |last=Trish |first=Gerone |date=February 7, 2017 |work=Auto World News |access-date=August 3, 2017 |archive-date=September 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915160336/http://www.autoworldnews.com/articles/29307/20170207/five-nights-freddy-s-twisted-ones-book-will-scare-charlie.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsweek.com/five-nights-freddys-fourth-closet-plot-description-reveal-837237|title=Amazon reveals plot for third 'Five Nights At Freddy's' book|date=March 8, 2018|work=Newsweek|access-date=March 10, 2018|archive-date=March 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309001112/http://www.newsweek.com/five-nights-freddys-fourth-closet-plot-description-reveal-837237|url-status=live}}</ref> and an anthology series of short stories.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Cawthon|first1=Scott|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4LqdDwAAQBAJ|title=Into the Pit (Five Nights at Freddy's: Fazbear Frights #1)|last2=Cooper|first2=Elley|date=2019-12-26|publisher=Scholastic Inc.|isbn=978-1-338-62696-4|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327123327/https://books.google.com/books?id=4LqdDwAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Cawthon|first1=Scott|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=47udDwAAQBAJ&q=fazbear+frights+2|title=Fetch (Five Nights at Freddy's: Fazbear Frights #2)|last2=West|first2=Carly Anne|last3=Waggener|first3=Andrea|date=2020-03-03|publisher=Scholastic Inc.|isbn=978-1-338-62697-1|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327123335/https://books.google.com/books?id=47udDwAAQBAJ&q=fazbear+frights+2|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Cawthon|first1=Scott|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MgrbDwAAQBAJ&q=fazbear+frights+3|title=1:35AM (Five Nights at Freddy's: Fazbear Frights #3)|last2=Waggener|first2=Andrea|last3=Cooper|first3=Elley|date=2020-05-05|publisher=Scholastic Inc.|isbn=978-1-338-62698-8|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327123328/https://books.google.com/books?id=MgrbDwAAQBAJ&q=fazbear+frights+3|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Cawthon|first=Scott|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XHzTDwAAQBAJ|title=Bunny Call (Five Nights at Freddy's: Fazbear Frights #5)|date=2020-09-01|publisher=Scholastic Inc.|isbn=978-1-338-62700-8|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327123339/https://books.google.com/books?id=XHzTDwAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> A film adaptation ] was released on October 27, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/five-nights-at-freddys-movie-filming-date/|title=Five Nights at Freddy's Movie Gets Filming Date|date=November 20, 2020|author=Aaron Perine|website=Comic Book|access-date=November 20, 2020|archive-date=November 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120220754/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/five-nights-at-freddys-movie-filming-date/|url-status=live}}</ref> * '']'' (commonly known as ''FNaF''), a horror video game series, features various animatronic entertainers as antagonists who try to kill the player character, who is typically a nighttime security guard or employee at one of the facilities (usually a pizzeria) where the animatronics reside. In the first game of the series ], the animatronics' violent attitude towards humans at night is explained away as faulty programming, which causes them to mistake the protagonist for an endoskeleton without a character suit on—which goes against the establishment's rules. As a result, the animatronics try to "forcefully stuff" the player character into a suit, resulting in their death. However, the games feature a deep lore (gradually revealed through various ]s and ]) which reveals that many of the animatronics are actually haunted by the spirits of children whose deaths are somehow connected to the fictional restaurant franchise "Freddy Fazbear's Pizza". At least six of these children were murdered by ] ({{aka}} "The Purple Guy"), one of the co-founders of the original restaurant and the series' overarching villain, who would go on to possess an animatronic of his own after his death.<ref name="IGM2">{{cite web |url=http://indiegamemag.com/igm-interviews-scott-cawthon-five-nights-at-freddys/ |title=IGM Interviews – Scott Cawthon (Five Nights at Freddy's) |work=IGM |access-date=March 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124085955/http://indiegamemag.com/igm-interviews-scott-cawthon-five-nights-at-freddys/ |archive-date=January 24, 2018 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Oxford|first=Nadia|date=June 29, 2018|title=Murder, Dysfunctional Families, and Purple Guys: The Larger Story Behind the Five Nights at Freddy's Games |work=USGamer|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/murder-ghosts-and-revenge-the-larger-story-behind-the-five-nights-at-freddys-games-06-2018|url-status=live|access-date=December 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114210648/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/murder-ghosts-and-revenge-the-larger-story-behind-the-five-nights-at-freddys-games-06-2018|archive-date=November 14, 2020}}</ref> Since the original game, ''Five Nights at Freddy's'' has evolved into a large media franchise comprising various sequels, prequels and spin-offs, fan games, a novel trilogy,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3373639/five-nights-at-freddys-the-silver-eyes-is-already-out/ |title='Five Nights at Freddy's: The Silver Eyes' is Out Now – Bloody Disgusting! |website=bloody-disgusting.com |date=18 December 2015 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810050855/http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3373639/five-nights-at-freddys-the-silver-eyes-is-already-out/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/12/14/10110096/five-nights-at-freddys-novel-kindle-hardcover-release |title=Five Nights at Freddy's novel hits stores next year |last1=Frank |first1=Allegra |date=December 14, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |website=] |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810052449/https://www.polygon.com/2015/12/14/10110096/five-nights-at-freddys-novel-kindle-hardcover-release |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-12-18-five-nights-at-freddys-creator-releases-spin-off-novel |title=Five Nights at Freddy's creator releases spin-off novel |last=Matulef |first=Jeffrey |work=] |date=December 17, 2015 |access-date=December 17, 2015 |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810012313/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-12-18-five-nights-at-freddys-creator-releases-spin-off-novel |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.autoworldnews.com/articles/29307/20170207/five-nights-freddy-s-twisted-ones-book-will-scare-charlie.htm |title='Five Nights At Freddy's: The Twisted Ones' Book Will Scare You With Charlie's Nightmares |last=Trish |first=Gerone |date=February 7, 2017 |work=Auto World News |access-date=August 3, 2017 |archive-date=September 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915160336/http://www.autoworldnews.com/articles/29307/20170207/five-nights-freddy-s-twisted-ones-book-will-scare-charlie.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsweek.com/five-nights-freddys-fourth-closet-plot-description-reveal-837237|title=Amazon reveals plot for third 'Five Nights At Freddy's' book|date=March 8, 2018|work=Newsweek|access-date=March 10, 2018|archive-date=March 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309001112/http://www.newsweek.com/five-nights-freddys-fourth-closet-plot-description-reveal-837237|url-status=live}}</ref> and an anthology series of short stories.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Cawthon|first1=Scott|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4LqdDwAAQBAJ|title=Into the Pit (Five Nights at Freddy's: Fazbear Frights #1)|last2=Cooper|first2=Elley|date=2019-12-26|publisher=Scholastic Inc.|isbn=978-1-338-62696-4|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327123327/https://books.google.com/books?id=4LqdDwAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Cawthon|first1=Scott|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=47udDwAAQBAJ&q=fazbear+frights+2|title=Fetch (Five Nights at Freddy's: Fazbear Frights #2)|last2=West|first2=Carly Anne|last3=Waggener|first3=Andrea|date=2020-03-03|publisher=Scholastic Inc.|isbn=978-1-338-62697-1|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327123335/https://books.google.com/books?id=47udDwAAQBAJ&q=fazbear+frights+2|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Cawthon|first1=Scott|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MgrbDwAAQBAJ&q=fazbear+frights+3|title=1:35AM (Five Nights at Freddy's: Fazbear Frights #3)|last2=Waggener|first2=Andrea|last3=Cooper|first3=Elley|date=2020-05-05|publisher=Scholastic Inc.|isbn=978-1-338-62698-8|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327123328/https://books.google.com/books?id=MgrbDwAAQBAJ&q=fazbear+frights+3|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Cawthon|first=Scott|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XHzTDwAAQBAJ|title=Bunny Call (Five Nights at Freddy's: Fazbear Frights #5)|date=2020-09-01|publisher=Scholastic Inc.|isbn=978-1-338-62700-8|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327123339/https://books.google.com/books?id=XHzTDwAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> A film adaptation ] was released on October 27, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/five-nights-at-freddys-movie-filming-date/|title=Five Nights at Freddy's Movie Gets Filming Date|date=November 20, 2020|author=Aaron Perine|website=Comic Book|access-date=November 20, 2020|archive-date=November 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120220754/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/five-nights-at-freddys-movie-filming-date/|url-status=live}}</ref>


==See also== == See also ==
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== References == == References ==
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== External links == == External links ==
{{wiktionary|animatronics}} {{Wiktionary|animatronics}}
{{Subject bar |commons=y |commons-search=Category:Animatronics |n=y |wikt=y |q=y }} {{Subject bar |commons=y |commons-search=Category:Animatronics |n=y |wikt=y |q=y }}


{{Robotics}} {{Robotics}}
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{{Authority control}} {{Authority control}}



Latest revision as of 10:29, 17 January 2025

Mechatronic puppets For other uses, see Animatronics (disambiguation).
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Animatronic figure of Chuck E. Cheese in operation at the Laguna Hills, California Chuck E. Cheese location, September 14, 2017
Tyrannosaurus at London's Natural History Museum

An animatronic is a mechatronic puppet controlled electronically by machine to move in a fluent way. They are a modern variant of the automaton and are often used for the portrayal of characters in films, video games and in theme park attractions.

Animatronics are a multidisciplinary field integrating puppetry, anatomy and mechatronics. Animatronic figures can be implemented with both computer and human control, including teleoperation. Motion actuators are often used to imitate muscle movements and create realistic motions. Figures are usually encased in body shells and flexible skins made of hard or soft plastic materials and finished with colors, hair, feathers and other components to make them more lifelike. Animatronics stem from a long tradition of mechanical automata powered by hydraulics, pneumatics and clockwork.

Before the term "animatronics" became common, they were usually referred to as "Robots". Since then, robots have become known as more practical programmable machines that do not necessarily resemble living creatures. Robots (or other artificial beings) designed to convincingly resemble humans are known as "androids". The term Animatronics is a portmanteau of animate and electronics. The term Audio-Animatronics was coined by Walt Disney in 1961 when he started developing professional animatronics for entertainment and film.

An animatronic fire-breathing dragon, suspended above the concourse at Scotiabank Theatre in West Edmonton Mall, Alberta, Canada.
The Fairy Tale Tree in the Efteling.

History

Before electronics, Animatronics were simply puppets made to work with clockwork. These are known today as atomata. For most of human history, It has not been possible to create a moving figure resembling an person, That was not directly puppeted by another person.

In the renaissance era, the first clockwork automated humanoid figures were created. These were complex with many movements, However the figures were extremely large, As they contained large cam shaft mechanisms in the base with the introduction of electricity, the mechanisms to create a humanoid figure got smaller and smaller, however very few of the created figures looked human.

The first audio animatronic to convincingly imitate an human was Walt disney's Abraham Lincoln attraction at the Illinois State Pavilion of the 1964 New York World's Fair. this marked a change in the industry, as computers where a pivotal part in creating the figure.

  • 1939 (1939) – 1939 (1939): Sparko, The Robot Dog, and Elektro, performs in front of the public. both manufactured by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Elektro was one of the first robots, using basic sensors and tube logic to receive commands and roughly know when it crashed into a wall. It could blow up balloons, smoke, synthesize text, and move his legs and arms. In 1939, he received his pet, and the first mainstream animatronic, Sparko. However, unlike Elektro, Sparko had no built in computer and was not remote controlled, instead using an external computer controlled by an operator. Unlike many depictions of robots in that time, Sparko represented a living animal, and thus becoming the very first modern day animatronic character, along with an unnamed horse which was reported to gallop realistically. The animatronic galloping horse was also on display at the 1939 New York World's Fair, in a different exhibit than Sparko's.
  • 1961 (1961): Heinrich Ernst develops the MH-1, a computer-operated mechanical hand.
  • 1961 (1961): Walt Disney coins the term "Audio-Animatronics" and his WED Enterprises team begins developing modern animatronic technology.
  • 1963 (1963): The first Audio-Animatronics created by Disney, the Enchanted Tiki Birds of Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, debut at Disneyland.
  • 1964: In the film Mary Poppins, animatronic birds are the first animatronics featured in a motion picture. The first animatronic figure of a person, that of Abraham Lincoln, is created by Disney for its Abraham Lincoln attraction at the Illinois State Pavilion of the 1964 New York World's Fair.
  • 1975 - 1979: Aaron Fechter's Wolf Pack 5 animatronic show opens at multiple amusement parks.
  • 1977: Pizza Time Theatre later known as Chuck E. Cheese opens the first major restaurant with animatronics as an attraction.
  • 1977: John Wardley debuts "Charlie Plucket" Animatronic on BBC's Tomorrow's World
  • 1978: AVG Technologies is founded by Alvaro Villa, former head of electronic animation research and development for the Walt Disney Company.
  • 1980: Aaron Fechter's ShowBiz Pizza Place restaurant opens with the Rock-afire Explosion animatronic show, directly competing with Chuck E. Cheese.
  • 1981: Efteling renovates it's Sprookjesbos walk through ride, adding 92 animatronics
  • 1982: Ben Franklin is the first animatronic figure to walk up a set of stairs.
  • 1983: AVG would open the successful line of bullwinkle's restaurants.
  • 1989: The second generation of Disney's generic animatronics the "A-100", portraying the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, is developed for The Great Movie Ride attraction at Disney-MGM Studios.
  • 1998: Tiger Electronics begins selling Furby, an animatronic pet that speaks over 800 English and "Furbish" phrases and can react to its environment.
  • 1999: AVG creates about 140 animatronics for Universal Studios Florida. They worked on Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls, the Cat in the hat dark ride, and Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges. Most of these rides are still in operation today.
  • 2001: The largest animatronic figure ever built was the Spinosaurus for Steven Spielberg's franchise Jurassic Park.
  • 2005: Engineered Arts produces the first version of their animatronic actor, RoboThespian
  • October 31, 2008 – July 1, 2009: The Abraham Lincoln animatronic character is upgraded to incorporate new technology., The Hall of Presidents
  • 2019: Disney releases a number of new characters based on their third-generation platform "A-1000"

Animatronics in films

The film industry has been a driving force revolutionizing the technology used to develop animatronics. 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 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 puppets even more lifelike.

Animatronics were first introduced by Disney in the 1964 film Mary Poppins which featured an animatronic bird. Since then, animatronics have been used extensively in such movies as Jaws, and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, which relied heavily on animatronics.

Directors such as Steven Spielberg and Jim Henson have been pioneers in using animatronics in the film industry; a film co-directed by the latter, The Dark Crystal, showcased groundbreaking puppets designed by Brian Froud and created by Henson's then recently established Creature Shop in London.

The 1993 film Jurassic Park, directed by Spielberg, 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 almost 20 feet (6.1 m), 40 feet (12 m) in length and even the largest animatronics weighing 9,000 pounds (4,100 kg) were able to perfectly recreate the appearance and natural movement on screen of a full-sized Tyrannosaurus rex.

Jack Horner called it "the closest I've ever been to a live dinosaur". Critics referred to Spielberg's dinosaurs as breathtakingly — and terrifyingly — realistic.

The 1999 BBC miniseries Walking with Dinosaurs was produced using a combination of about 80% CGI and 20% animatronic models. The quality of computer imagery of the day was good, but animatronics were still better at distance shots, as well as closeups of the dinosaurs. Animatronics for the series were designed by British animatronics firm Crawley Creatures. The show was followed up in 2007 with a live adaptation of the series, Walking with Dinosaurs: The Arena Spectacular.

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.

Films focusing on animatronics

Short films

  • The Hug, a 2018 horror short film directed by Jack Bishop and Justin Nijm, and starring Nick Armstrong and Roman George, follows a bratty birthday boy at Pandory's Pan Pizza Palace, a ShowBiz Pizza Place-like restaurant, who has an awkward situation with Pandory the Panda, the pizzeria's giant panda animatronic mascot. It premiered at Hulu as part of its "Huluween" film competition.

Television

  • The Capicola Gang, a trio of evil anthropomorphic animatronic animals from The Fun Fun Zone, consisting of Dominic (a robot bear, although listed in the credits as Main Bear), who is based on Vito Corleone from The Godfather, Louie (a robot beaver), and Amelia (a robot duck, although listed in the credits as Duck Lady), are the main antagonists in the Regular Show episodes "Fuzzy Dice" and "Steak Me Amadeus". The Capicola Gang Leader had a cameo appearance as an incriminating witness in "Can you Ear Me Now?" where he testified in court against Mordecai and Rigby. They share a resemblance to the characters from the popular game series Five Nights at Freddy's and the popular kids entertainment center Chuck E. Cheese.
  • Hoo-Ha's Jamboree, an animatronic band at Hoo-Ha Owl's Pizzamatronic Jamboree, and a parody of The Rock-afire Explosion of ShowBiz Pizza Place, which consist of Hoo-Ha the Owl (guitarist, and lead singer), Cheerleader (banjoist), Beaver (guitarist), Rat in a Barrel (two same animatronics sit on either side of the stage), Cowboy Frog (bongo player), and Will E. Badger (opening act) are the secondary antagonists in the Gravity Falls episodes "Soos and the Real Girl", "Weirdmageddon Part 1", and "Weirdmageddon 2: Escape From Reality".

Advertising

The British advertisement campaign for Cadbury Schweppes titled Gorilla featured an actor inside a gorilla suit with an animatronically animated face.

The Slowskys was an advertising campaign for Comcast Cable's Xfinity broadband Internet service. The ad features two animatronic turtles, and it won the gold Effie Award in 2007.

Toys

Some examples of animatronic toys include TJ Bearytails, Big Mouth Billy Bass, FurReal, Kota the triceratops, Pleo, WowWee Alive Chimpanzee, Microsoft Actimates, and Furby. Well-known brands include Cuddle Barn, PBC International, Telco, Sound N Light, Nika International, Gemmy Industries, Tickle Me Elmo, Chantilly Lane and Dan Dee.

Design

There are quite a few ways to build an animatronic, however most follow this basic structure:

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". Joints, motors, and actuators act as the "muscles". Connecting all the electrical components together are wires, such as the "nervous system" of a real animal or person. Steel, aluminum, plastic, and wood are all commonly used in building animatronics but each has its 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. Several materials are commonly used in the fabrication of an animatronics figure's exterior. Dependent on the particular circumstances, the best material will be used to produce the most lifelike form. For example, "eyes" and "teeth" are commonly made completely out of acrylic.

Some examples of different methods of building animatronics are Chuck E. Cheese's studio c animatronic, made of latex rubber, metal, and plastic supported by an internal skeleton and on the other end of the spectrum is the all metal bunyip animatronic in Australia, using water to actuate the characters mouth.

Materials

  • Latex: White latex is commonly used as a general material because it has a high level of elasticity. It is also pre-vulcanized, making it easy and fast to apply. 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. 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". The Wizard of Oz was one of the first films to make extensive use of foam latex prosthetics in the 1930s.
  • Silicone: Disney has a research team devoted to improving and developing better methods of creating more lifelike animatronics exteriors with silicone. 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. 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.
  • Polyurethane: 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.
  • Plaster: As a commonplace construction and home decorating material, plaster is widely available. Its rigidity limits its use in molds, and plaster molds are unsuitable when undercuts are present. This may make plaster far more difficult to use than softer materials like latex or silicone.

Movement

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.

Mimicking 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. FACS defines that through facial expression, humans can recognize six basic emotions: anger, disgust, fear, joy, sadness, and surprise. Another theory is that of Ortony, Clore, and Collins, or the OCC model which defines 22 different emotional categories.

In 2020 Disney revealed its new animatronics robot that can breathe, move its eyes very much like humans, and identify people around it in order to select "an appropriate" response, as opposed to previous Disney animatronics that were used in purely scripted, non-interactive situations, like theme park rides.

Training and education

Animatronics has been developed as a career which combines the disciplines of mechanical engineering, casting/sculpting, control technologies, electrical/electronic systems, radio control and airbrushing.

Some colleges and universities do 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.

Students achieving a bachelor's degree in robotics commonly complete courses in:

  • Mechanical engineering
  • Industrial robotics
  • Mechatronics systems
  • Modeling of robotics systems
  • Robotics engineering
  • Foundational theory of robotics
  • Introduction to robotics.

In popular culture

Animatronic characters appear in both films and games, most notably in horror genre and survival horror video games that generally features possessed animatronics as antagonists.

Games

Five Nights at Freddy's Glamrock Freddy cosplayer at Comic-Con in November 2023
  • Five Nights at Freddy's (commonly known as FNaF), a horror video game series, features various animatronic entertainers as antagonists who try to kill the player character, who is typically a nighttime security guard or employee at one of the facilities (usually a pizzeria) where the animatronics reside. In the first game of the series Five Nights at Freddy's, the animatronics' violent attitude towards humans at night is explained away as faulty programming, which causes them to mistake the protagonist for an endoskeleton without a character suit on—which goes against the establishment's rules. As a result, the animatronics try to "forcefully stuff" the player character into a suit, resulting in their death. However, the games feature a deep lore (gradually revealed through various minigames and Easter eggs) which reveals that many of the animatronics are actually haunted by the spirits of children whose deaths are somehow connected to the fictional restaurant franchise "Freddy Fazbear's Pizza". At least six of these children were murdered by William Afton (a.k.a. "The Purple Guy"), one of the co-founders of the original restaurant and the series' overarching villain, who would go on to possess an animatronic of his own after his death. Since the original game, Five Nights at Freddy's has evolved into a large media franchise comprising various sequels, prequels and spin-offs, fan games, a novel trilogy, and an anthology series of short stories. A film adaptation Five Nights at Freddy's was released on October 27, 2023.

See also

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