| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 36.1 | Definition and history | KNEE::SEAGLE | Disney-aphile | Tue Feb 28 1989 20:13 | 35 |
| AudioAnimatronics animates robots via a special multi-track audio tape,
and thus the name. One track of the tape contains the actual sounds
and/or dialog for the robot while the other track(s) contain control
information (i.e. move left arm, rotate wrist, move lips, etc.). By
virtue of the fact that one tape with multiple tracks is used as the
input medium all functions are intrinsically synchronized, eliminating
race conditions. The technology was developed by Disney Imagineers in
the late 1960's and has since gone through several generations of
refinement and revision.
That is about the extent of what I know about the technology. I *do*
have about a million questions like...
* What are the various "generations" of AudioAnimatrons?
* Do the robots have "on-board" computers and tape drives or is there a
"master control" computer which down-loads (a la DECnet's MOP)
individual "opcodes" for the robots to execute in realtime? If they
have on-board computers, how does a show get started and how do you
keep each individual robot synchronized with the plot of the overall
show (e.g. in the case of Bear Country Jamboree)?
* What types of computers are used? Sperry (as mentioned elsewhere in
this conference)? Operating systems? Languages?
* What is/are the performance range/envelope for an AudioAnimatron?
Are there any "spec sheets" available?
You get the idea...does anyone have any other information? I love this
stuff and will take whatever I can get on the subject!
David.
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| 36.2 | some of what I know | ATE012::CLAUDE | Claude G. Berube | Wed Mar 01 1989 07:47 | 37 |
|
> * What are the various "generations" of AudioAnimatrons?
Currently the most sophisticated today has to be Ben Franklin ability
to walk up a flight of stairs (similated of course) in the American
Adventure in Epcot. Although the Unofficial guide states that the
Great Movie Ride in the Studio Your will contain the lates technology,
wether it is the same as Ben Franklin and the rest of the
audio-Animatrons in Epcot or the next step I'm not sure. Maybe I
should write to Disney News and suggest an article on this?
> * Do the robots have "on-board" computers and tape drives or is there a
> "master control" computer which down-loads (a la DECnet's MOP)
> individual "opcodes" for the robots to execute in realtime? If they
> have on-board computers, how does a show get started and how do you
> keep each individual robot synchronized with the plot of the overall
> show (e.g. in the case of Bear Country Jamboree)?
I believe they are controled from a central point, at least they are in
the MK (in the tunnels), and the Computer Central show in Epcot leads
you to believe that as well.
> * What types of computers are used? Sperry (as mentioned elsewhere in
> this conference)? Operating systems? Languages?
Sperry in Epcot, Not sure about the other MK's
> * What is/are the performance range/envelope for an AudioAnimatron?
> Are there any "spec sheets" available?
Well the newer one can walk up stairs of sorts, as well as appear to be
more fluid in thier movements and more realistic than thier older
conterparts in the MK.
Claude
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| 36.3 | give me more | RECAP::SEAGLE | Disney-aphile | Thu Mar 02 1989 20:01 | 38 |
| RE: .2
I *think* you missed my point here (correct me if I am wrong). Yes,
certainly, the capability of an AudioAnimatron to "climb stairs" is
definitely new, but I see this as being more of an "advanced feature"
and/or "advanced functionality" rather than a new generation of robot.
The analogy I draw is the VAX-11/780 and VAX-11/785: they were the same
machine with slightly different features and performance
characteristics (I *know* that's an over simplification but I am
endeavoring to make a point here...please bear with me). On the other
hand, the MicroVAX-II was radically different in its implementation,
etc. than the 11/780 so it can be thought of as "the second generation
VAX"; similarly 8000 Series VAXen are "the third generation".
If that makes sense, then what I am looking for in this question:
> * What are the various "generations" of AudioAnimatrons?
is "what constitutes a AudioAnimatron-I versus -II versus -III" in
addition to just functionality. It is possible that AudioAnimatron-II
could "climb stairs" but that particular function was never attempted
or required for an attraction.
Does that make sense or have I lost everyone? :-|
Also, from the posting in "Articles on Disney" (31.7) I get the
impression that most of this technology is stored in the Imagineer's
HEADS since they state that it is not patented. I assume they do this
because if you patent something it typically becomes public information
and others could copy it when the patent runs out (after a number of
years). Thoughts/comments from someone who knows patents?
I'll take any data I can get on this subject, so keep those cards and
letters coming kids!
David.
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| 36.4 | | ATE012::CLAUDE | Claude G. Berube | Fri Mar 03 1989 07:38 | 25 |
| reply to < Note 36.3 by RECAP::SEAGLE "Disney-aphile" >
> is "what constitutes a AudioAnimatron-I versus -II versus -III" in
> addition to just functionality. It is possible that AudioAnimatron-II
> could "climb stairs" but that particular function was never attempted
> or required for an attraction.
> Also, from the posting in "Articles on Disney" (31.7) I get the
> impression that most of this technology is stored in the Imagineer's
> HEADS since they state that it is not patented. I assume they do this
> because if you patent something it typically becomes public information
> and others could copy it when the patent runs out (after a number of
> years). Thoughts/comments from someone who knows patents?
> I'll take any data I can get on this subject, so keep those cards and
> letters coming kids!
David.
I'll take any data I can get too, but from what I've read over the
years, just cursory info etc. don't expect to many details, since
Disney obviously wants to keep the technology to themselves, afterall
compare the audio-animatronics to those robots found at Chuck 'E Cheese
pizzaria's etc. About the only info I read was vague and usually just
covers the new features like better movement etc.
Claude
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| 36.5 | | ATE012::BERUBE | I'm Thumping on a Gold-Flagged.. | Wed Nov 22 1989 12:40 | 12 |
| an excerpt of the article I mention in 31.38
Walt Disney Imagineering has bought the rights to a new technology
called Sacros that was designed for medical use with prosthetic
devices. The equipment is bieng installed in the mechanical
"audio-animatronic" figures and animals that appear at the theme parks.
In a private demonstration of a prototype at the Imagineering
headquarters in Glendale, Ca, a life-size robotic man sang the Joe
Crocker hit "Feeling Alright?" swaying and rooling its eye and
displaying elaborately choreographed contortions right down to its
finger tips. Disney executives hope the eerily lifelike robots will
help keep attractions more sensational than competitors.
|
| 36.6 | anyone know what Sacros is? | HUB::SEAGLE | Disneyland junkie! | Wed Nov 22 1989 20:33 | 8 |
| RE: .5
I do not suppose anyone has any further information on what, exactly,
"Sacros" *is* in technical terms? Granted, .5 gives a feel for it, but
is Sacros a combination of technologies, a programming approach, what?
David.
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| 36.7 | LINCOLN MORE ADVANCED THAN BEN | SENIOR::CAMPBELL | John Campbell | Mon Jun 04 1990 10:26 | 28 |
| If any one is interested, I found out this weekend, that the Ben
Franklin Audio-Animatronics figure in Epcot Center is no longer the
most advanced Disney has. The following was taken from the latest
OFFICIAL GUIDE TO DISNEYLAND 1990:
"The real star of the show, however, is the Audio-Animatronics
version of our 16th president, which is the most technologically
advanced figure of its kind. After a brief slide show depicting the
Civil War, Mr. Lincoln stands up and discourses on liberty.... All the
while, he's nodding and gesturing, turning, and shifting his weight in
a realistic fashion.
"The Lincoln figure in the show was completely reprogrammed in
December 1984, following a jointly funded, 3-year research project at
the University of Utah. The university, a leader in the development of
artificial limbs, was consulted by the Disney organization in its
ongoing interest in improving the realism of the movements of
Audio-Animatronics figures. The result - the Compliance System -
allows Lincoln to shift his body weight as naturally as a human and
enables him to sense when he is near another object."
That's all the entire guide had to say concerning Audio-Animatronics.
However, on the Disney Sunday night show, last night (7:00 pm Eastern on
NBS), they showed a brief glimpse of an Audio-Animatronics figure
behind Eisner as he introduced the movie that moved with incredible
fluidity. I don't know if this is the same technology mentioned above,
but it was most impressive.
John
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| 36.8 | More than one has been redone | USCTR2::TOMYL | Waikiki and Moose's, What a combination | Mon Jun 04 1990 14:29 | 10 |
| The Wicked Witch from the Wizard of Oz Scene in the Great Movie Ride,
Lincoln in Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and the auctioneer pirate
from Pirates of the Carribean both at Disneyland have been outfitted
with the new workings.
The first time I noticed a difference was when I saw the ads for the
MGM park. The ad shows with Wicked Witch turning around and zapping
the scene. It was to quick and too jerky to be an older model.
J Rhys
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