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Established in 1952 by Walt Disney, Imagineering serves as a creative hub where innovative minds, including inventors, engineers, and designers, collaborate to explore, test, and innovate using cutting-edge technologies. This dynamic environment focuses on developing immersive experiences and attractions for Disney properties worldwide. Recently, it has embraced the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, which plays a pivotal role in Disney’s groundbreaking advancements in robotics and interactive entertainment.

Within this innovative framework, Imagineering is harnessing a specialized branch of AI known as reinforcement learning. This area of machine learning revolves around developing learned behaviors through trial and error. The inaugural application of this technology is showcased in the delightful BDX droids, which Kyle Laughlin, Senior Vice President of Imagineering Research & Development, describes as a monumental advancement in robotics. These droids are instrumental in bringing beloved Disney characters to life in ways that resonate with audiences in the real world.

Since their introduction at Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in the fall of 2023, these engaging bipeds have captivated fans and guests alike. Their presence has expanded beyond the parks, making appearances at prestigious events such as SXSW in Austin, Texas, and the tech giant NVIDIA’s GTC AI conference in Silicon Valley, showcasing their charm and technological prowess to broader audiences.

At Imagineering, the primary aim of leveraging this advanced technology is to imbue characters, such as the BDX droids, with more authentic personalities. Moreover, it significantly accelerates the development process, allowing for quicker iterations and enhancements in character design and functionality.

“What once took years can now be accomplished in merely days or weeks,” Laughlin explains, emphasizing the unprecedented speed at which they can present characters to visitors. “What truly sets them apart is their unique spark of personality. When guests encounter these droids, they are lively and engaging, consistently evoking smiles, which is precisely our goal,” he adds, highlighting the emotional connection these characters foster with audiences.

Reflecting on Disney’s legacy, the creation of mechanical representations of iconic characters has been a hallmark of Disney attractions for decades. The concept of audio animatronics, which merges physical figures with synchronized sound, first debuted at Disneyland in 1963 with the enchanting birds of the Tiki Room. Since the 1960s, these creations have graced numerous attractions, including Pirates of the Caribbean and It’s a Small World. More recent innovations can be seen in attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, a standout feature of Galaxy’s Edge, as well as in the flume ride, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Furthermore, advancements in stuntronics allow visitors at the Avengers Campus in Disney’s California Adventure to witness Spider-Man soaring through the air at an astonishing height of 65 feet.

As Disneyland marks its 70th anniversary, the next evolution, spearheaded by the BDX droids, integrates AI technology. These autonomous BDX droids have begun to interact with guests at Disney parks in Florida, Paris, and Tokyo, as well as on Disney cruise ships, enhancing the guest experience through innovative interactions.

According to Laughlin, “Our current capabilities allow us to harness the artist’s vision. We utilize animation—which can be viewed as a form of previsualization—to delineate the personality traits of each character, particularly the BDX droids. This process transforms into simulation, where we teach them to walk, balance, and express emotions, akin to guiding a child in their development.”

This approach enables Imagineers to conduct “millions” of simulations while preserving the artistic intent evident in the animation. “Rather than manually programming movements as we did in the past, we can now focus on the nuances that distinguish these characters. They can contemplate their movements, emotional expressions, and potential guest interactions once we apply the simulation to the robotic framework,” he explains, highlighting the transformative impact of advanced simulation techniques.

Development has progressed rapidly. In March, a groundbreaking collaboration was announced between NVIDIA, Google DeepMind, and Disney Research to co-create Newton, an open-source physics engine designed to empower robots in mastering complex tasks with enhanced accuracy. One of the initial applications of Newton is set to advance the robotic character platform that underpins the BDX droids. To illustrate this potential, a standout BDX droid named Blue made a memorable appearance alongside NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang during his keynote address at the GTC AI developers conference last March, where this partnership was unveiled. “This is the future of training robots,” Huang remarked, emphasizing the intelligence embodied in the droid.

Laughlin confirms that Newton will play a crucial role in shaping Imagineering’s next generation of robotics and character creations. “The BDX droids are merely the beginning,” he states. “We are dedicated to animating more characters in unprecedented ways, and this collaboration with Disney Research, NVIDIA, and Google DeepMind is integral to that visionary pursuit.”

To propel this initiative forward, Imagineering is also fostering a close partnership with Disney studios, including Lucasfilm and visual effects pioneer Industrial Light & Magic, which are actively involved in the BDX droid project. “This creative synergy and collaboration are vital components of our system,” Laughlin emphasizes, highlighting the importance of teamwork in innovation.

Interestingly, the inspiration for the BDX droids derived from the popular video game, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, even before they took shape and debuted in Disney parks. Moreover, the BDX droids are set to make their Hollywood debut in Jon Favreau’s upcoming film “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” slated for a theatrical release on May 22, 2026. Instead of relying on computer-generated imagery for these droids, the actual BDX droids will be performing during live production. Laughlin notes, “We were genuinely on set with these robots, engaging with the actors, which brings a new dimension to storytelling.”

Looking ahead, the next exciting creation on the horizon is a H.E.R.B.I.E. bot, scheduled for debut this summer as part of Disney and Marvel’s Fantastic Four intellectual property, linked to the release of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” on July 25.

“This is just the beginning; the company intends to introduce more expressive and interactive characters throughout parks and cruise lines,” Laughlin shares, underscoring that this initiative is part of Disney’s ambitious $60 billion investment plan over the next decade for new attractions and expansions. “Our overarching goal is to animate these characters faster than ever before. Consequently, artificial intelligence and reinforcement learning are crucial tools in reducing development timelines and ensuring these characters engage with guests as swiftly as possible.”

Laughlin further emphasizes that the new generation of robots will be defined by their personality and autonomy. “You will witness a significant increase in the expressiveness of characters in the future, and interacting with these characters throughout the parks is ultimately our aim,” Laughlin points out. “We have numerous characters that cannot be performed by a traditional performer, so we aim to unlock their potential and allow them to roam freely throughout the parks.”

He hints at an exciting future, stating, “We possess an extensive roadmap of free-roaming characters that we are eager to unveil at an appropriate time, aiming to enrich our immersive worlds with their presence.”