The newest episode of We Call It Imagineering is now playing on YouTube and for the first time, shines a spotlight on Walt Disney Imagineering Research and Development. At Disney, innovation is in our DNA, and we’re constantly pushing the boundaries of technology to build even more immersive worlds and create richer, more memorable experiences for our guests and fans.
Walt Disney Imagineering Research and Development represents the very beginning of the development process, where Imagineers blend creativity and technology to spark ideas for the innovative Disney experiences of tomorrow. From next-generation Audio-Animatronics technology to innovative partnerships with leaders in the technology industry, we’re excited to give you a first glance at all that we’ve been working on to take our guests straight into their favorite stories, in ways they never thought were possible.
Check out the episode to take a closer look at the minds and technology that are propelling our creativity and imaginations forward. Here’s a roundup of what we’re most excited about:
1. A First Look at Disney Research in Switzerland
Step inside the Disney Research lab in Zürich! In the last few decades, Switzerland has quickly developed into a hub for AI and robotics, anchored by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology or ETH Zürich. Through close academic partnerships with ETH Zürich and other institutions, Disney Research is making even bigger strides in robotics, AI, hardware, software engineering, and more.
For decades, Disney has been a leader in entertainment robotics, beginning with Lucky the Dinosaur through present day with advanced robots like the BDX Droids. Disney Research builds on that legacy by continuing to make huge strides that not only push themed entertainment forward, but the entire robotics industry, too.
2. Olaf will soon greet guests in Hong Kong and Paris as an all-new robotic character
The latest advancements in our entertainment robotics mean Imagineers are more equipped than even before to create beloved characters of all shapes and sizes, just as we know them from our favorite films and shows.
First up? Olaf!
From the way he moves to the way he looks, every gesture and detail of this next-generation robotic figure is crafted to reflect the Olaf audiences have seen in the films — alive, curious, and unmistakably himself. Our latest Olaf represents increasing levels of performance and innovation in bringing our Disney characters to life through advanced robotics.
Guests can meet Olaf for the first time early next year in World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland and at Disney Adventure World in Paris.
3. The development of our first aquatic robotic prototype
With considerable advancements made to robots on land, Imagineers are expanding their horizons… to the sea?!
Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development is expanding entertainment robotics to water-based robots – we’re calling this effort, ‘aquatic robotics’! These aquatic robots are controlled by a software system that allows them to operate almost autonomously through the use of onboard sensors, much like what you would find in self-driving cars and drones.
Early-stage prototyping is underway for two different forms: a dolphin-like figure that both dives and jumps out of the water, as well as a manta ray-like figure that glides over the water’s surface.
This new technology is only the beginning of future live shows and performances, where new characters come to life in never-before-seen ways.
4. The Introduction of Next-Generation Audio-Animatronics
We all know about the growth and evolution of Audio-Animatronics figures, but wait until you see the latest innovation.
Building on Walt Disney’s legacy, Audio-Animatronics technology combines real-time front projection mapping with streamlined mechanical design, to enable greater depth, emotion, and expressiveness in our figures. Actions previously not possible like crying or blushing are now emotions in our storytelling toolkit and allow for a whole new level of immersive emotional connection for guests.
Audio-Animatronics technology also lets Imagineers bring beloved characters from the screens to our parks faster and more accurately than before and it’s especially transformative for characters who have traditionally challenging features to create like Mike Wazowski, Lightning McQueen, or Hades.
5. Exclusive chat with NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang and Bruce Vaughn
In the new episode, President and CCO of Walt Disney Imagineering Bruce Vaugh sits down with Jensen Huang, the CEO of NVIDIA, to discuss advancements in storytelling enabled by Disney’s technological innovation, and how those advancements trickle down to revolutionize other industries, pushing forward society.
The conversation highlights technology in service of the story, where the technology should be so advanced, it blends into the background, leaving guests only focused on having an emotional experience with the characters they care about. Disney’s close working relationship with NVIDIA further advances the fusion between AI, computer graphics, and robotics to make our characters feel more alive than ever before.
6. More is on the horizon as strategic partnerships usher in a new age of innovation
As Bruce and Jensen touched on, our technology and creativity go further and reaches its full potential through close partnerships with other leaders in technology. In addition to our ongoing partnership with NVIDIA, other work with industry-leading organizations like Epic Games, Google DeepMind, and Meta enable us to scale even bigger, to bring more emotive, expressive, and surprising characters to guests at our parks and ships around the world.
Our collaboration with Meta using their Wearables Device Access Toolkit and AI glasses allows us to unlock a world of innovation and storytelling for Disney guests and Imagineers. This could include future visualization possibilities, like providing guests with real-time information about nearby offerings and products while in Disney parks, and Imagineers could also leverage this technology for behind-the-scenes design applications to enhance the ways they bring stories to life.
And next year, guests will get to see first-hand the magic built through our partnership with Epic Games, in an all-new mission on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Inspired by the upcoming film, The Mandalorian and Grogu, the new mission lets crews control their destinations for the first time with enhanced storytelling and controls only made possible with Epic’s Unreal Engine 5. Guests will get to experience it alongside Mando and Grogu at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort beginning May 22, 2026.
Phew! And that’s just the start. Don’t forget to check out the full episode about everything happening within the walls of Walt Disney Imagineering Research and Development. To stay up to date on the new innovations making their way to Disney parks and beyond, check out Walt Disney Imagineering on Instagram and YouTube.
