Radio controlled helicopters and trucks often make appearances in the movies. They are usually there being just what they are -- toys controlled by radio. On the other hand, animatronics (life-like robotic puppets) are widely used in the Hollywood movies, theme parks, and even some restaurants but they are pretending to be something they aren't -- alive. Along with the new found CGI graphic production the two have merged to make some pretty life-like things to fool the audience into believing that it's all real.
Some more elaborate creatures or humanoids can take up to three or more operators to control all of the necessary functions to get the scene done. I think it's pretty cool and I would love to try to do something like this in the future. I've always dreamed about having a robotic side kick -- someone a little more life-like than my Robosapien. Robotics and animatronics, along with radio controlled hobbies are a great way to get the younger generation interested in science and technology.
While this site covers the world of radio controlled vehicles in depth and touches on robotics in the form of radio controlled and remote controlled robotic toys, I've rounded up additional resources for expanding into the world of animatronics. How you combine all these technologies is up to you and your imagination. If you already have a lot of experience with the electronics and mechanics of working with radio controlled vehicles -- especially building your own RC -- then you have a jump start on the world of robotics and animatronics.
Learning the Basics of Animatronics
The aptly named Animatronics.org is a great site that gives insight about some theme parks that are using this type of technology. The site also has a Question & Answer section, other links, and great ideas on how to get started in animatronics. It also has a nice video (in real player format) of a show that involves an insider look at the animatronics and special effects used in movies today.
To help yourself or your young budding scientists and engineers and electronics geniuses understand how the animatronics process works try watching these video clips and exploring these tutorials.
Simple Animatronics is a short (just over a minute) Metacafe video showing how to make a simple string-controlled hand that could be used as a starting point and inspiration for more complex projects involving robotics and electronics. The project itself is similar to those grabbing hands you see at your local toy stores that have a handle at one end and a robotic looking hand on the other. This same video along with written step-by-step instructions is at the Instructables site.
How to Create Simple Animatronics, also at the Instructables site, is a little more advanced in that it involves the use of electronic components such as servos, lighting, and the MAKE controller kit. This is a great tutorial and the cost of the MAKE controller kit won't bust your wallet either.
Realistic, Animatronic Lion Mask with stereo night vision and amplified hearing is a really in-depth tutorial. This one is for the more experienced (or more ambitious beginner) animatronics enthusiast. This Instructables tutorial with its 117 steps is one where electronics knowledge is absolutely needed to complete the project. When you're finished though your friends will definitely envy you.
Now if I was to take on this project I would definitely have to delve into the world of AI (artificial intelligence) to make this a fully-functional talking buddy for me to have in my mad scientist lab (one can dream can't he?). Although this animatronic lion isn't radio controlled, with a little RC ingenuity it could possibly be converted to radio controlled. Some of your friends could make a short movie while you and a frew others could be behind the scenes with radio transmitters in hand to make the magic happen on screen.
Not ready to build your own? Consider the WowWee Chimpanzee Alive! Life-Sized Remote-Controlled Animatronic Chimp (
). From the same folks that brought us Robosapien, this animatronic chimp head looks and acts real. However, unlike the real thing, you control his actions. WowWee also has an animatronic Elvis -- a singing one and a speaking one. Thank you, Thank you very much for reading all the way to the end.
