When we reported on the free-roaming Groot animatronic, we mentioned that Imagineers were working on eyes that will be able to recognize guests. A Disney patent application published April 29, 2021 explains one way Imagineers could add natural eye contact and facial recognition to animatronic figures. “Eye Contact Sensing and Control for Robotic Characters” describes a system that uses light passing through the animatronic’s eye to “see” guests and make eye contact. Stationary cameras assist the animatronic as it locates […]

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