Application (pre-grant publication)
DYNAMIC MECHANICAL SKIN STRUCTURES FOR ANIMATRONIC FIGURES
- Number
- 20260225255
- Published
- 2026-08-06
- Filed
- 2025-12-03
- Assignee
- DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
- Inventors
- Ayala; Alfredo Medina, Peavy; Joel Jason, Tye; Bryan S., Goldberg; David Powell
- CPC
- B25J11/0015; H04N9/3194; B25J11/003; G06T7/246; B25J9/1085; B25J9/142; G06T2207/10028; G06T2207/10048; G06T2207/30204; H04N9/3182; H04N9/3185
- Verdict
- High Hardware
- First reported
- 2026-W32 (2026-08-07)
- Source
- Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline
The keeper's note
An animatronic may include a shell, a skin coupled to the shell, and an actuator configured to selectively create a deformation of the skin, wherein the deformation is configured to complement content projected onto the…
Abstract
An animatronic may include a shell, a skin coupled to the shell, and an actuator configured to selectively create a deformation of the skin, wherein the deformation is configured to complement content projected onto the skin. The skin may cover the shell. The actuator may be mechanically coupled to the skin. The actuator may move the skin to change a topography of the skin to mimic a facial expression. The skin may define a continuous projection surface. A projector may project content onto the projection surface.
Background
FIELD
The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for controlling and implementing robotic devices, such as animatronic figures, and more specifically to dynamic mechanical skin structures for animatronic figures. BACKGROUND
Amusement parks, theme parks, carnivals, arcades, and various attractions use robotic devices, such as animatronic figures, to produce an interactive effect for guests. For example, animatronic figures mimic the movement, look, and emotion of characters sharing the theme of the rides, shows, and games, and can interact with guests to provide a truly immersive experience. Additionally, other types of robotic devices appear in everyday life such as in food service environments, manufacturing environments, and social interaction environments, interacting with users and the environment. SUMMARY
In one example, an animatronic includes a shell, a skin coupled to the shell, and an actuator configured to selectively create a deformation of the skin, wherein the deformation is configured to complement content projected onto the skin.
Optionally, the actuator includes a mechanical transmission configured to provide a positive or negative displacement of the skin at a location.
Optionally, the shell includes a fixed portion and a movable portion, wherein the actuator is configured to move the movable portion relative to the fixed portion to create the deformation. The skin may span over the fixed portion and the