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Disney’s flying robot stunt double can pose just like a superhero (2018)

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Re: Disney’s flying robot stunt double can pose just like a superhero (2018)

#21

Post by inetsee »

xwdv wrote: post #2

The stunts in the video all seem like they could be done by a human, I was expecting something more like a light weight humanoid bot with some quadrocopter type propellers that allowed it to actually fly and float through the air. For instance, you could have Ironman flying high over the park and make it look convincing, especially with properly placed speakers.

I would imagine that the insurance premiums associated with having a human employee doing these stunts could be substantial. Also, consider the bad publicity if a human employee was seriously injured or killed during a performance.

Re: Disney’s flying robot stunt double can pose just like a superhero (2018)

#22

Post by im3w1l »

dbcurtis wrote: post #14

If you want to try this at home, check out MIT 6.832 Underactuated Robotics, taught by Russ Tedrake. Lectures available on Youtube. Sumulating systems similar to the acrobat robot are homeworks. I think all tbe tools are available open source.

Simulating is just so disappointing compared to having an actual physical thing move around though..

Re: Disney’s flying robot stunt double can pose just like a superhero (2018)

#23

Post by fenwick67 »

dbcurtis wrote: post #14

If you want to try this at home, check out MIT 6.832 Underactuated Robotics, taught by Russ Tedrake. Lectures available on Youtube. Sumulating systems similar to the acrobat robot are homeworks. I think all tbe tools are available open source.

Speaking for myself, I would need the fundamentals of animatronics first (like, if I'm making a simple animatronic puppet, how do I design mechanisms to open and close the mouth or turn the neck?). Assuming I am well versed in control systems, electronics, and have a solid grasp of torque, gear ratios etc, where would I go from there? Under-actuated robotics are like a step 2. Hell, even robotics 101 seems like a step 2, since it focuses on the control systems quite a lot, I'm talking about "how do I build it?" and "what is a four-bar linkage good for?". These courses always focus on modelling a real robot and controlling it, I'm interested in designing the mechanics of the thing.

Re: Disney’s flying robot stunt double can pose just like a superhero (2018)

#24

Post by xwdv »

inetsee wrote: post #21
xwdv wrote: post #2

The stunts in the video all seem like they could be done by a human, I was expecting something more like a light weight humanoid bot with some quadrocopter type propellers that allowed it to actually fly and float through the air. For instance, you could have Ironman flying high over the park and make it look convincing, especially with properly placed speakers.

I would imagine that the insurance premiums associated with having a human employee doing these stunts could be substantial. Also, consider the bad publicity if a human employee was seriously injured or killed during a performance.

But a true human would make the performance more exciting to watch.

One area though where a robot like this would be fantastic would be some sort of roller coaster ride where you would be able to see a superhero fly up with you and then dive at certain points in the ride. Just gotta figure out how to reset it automatically.

Re: Disney’s flying robot stunt double can pose just like a superhero (2018)

#25

Post by dbcurtis »

im3w1l wrote: post #22
dbcurtis wrote: post #14

If you want to try this at home, check out MIT 6.832 Underactuated Robotics, taught by Russ Tedrake. Lectures available on Youtube. Sumulating systems similar to the acrobat robot are homeworks. I think all tbe tools are available open source.

Simulating is just so disappointing compared to having an actual physical thing move around though..

Simulation has its benefits. My advice to all newbies at the robot club is: "Your first robot should be low enough mass that a missing semi-colon does not punch a hole in your living room wall."

Re: Disney’s flying robot stunt double can pose just like a superhero (2018)

#26

Post by dbcurtis »

fenwick67 wrote: post #23
dbcurtis wrote: post #14

If you want to try this at home, check out MIT 6.832 Underactuated Robotics, taught by Russ Tedrake. Lectures available on Youtube. Sumulating systems similar to the acrobat robot are homeworks. I think all tbe tools are available open source.

Speaking for myself, I would need the fundamentals of animatronics first (like, if I'm making a simple animatronic puppet, how do I design mechanisms to open and close the mouth or turn the neck?). Assuming I am well versed in control systems, electronics, and have a solid grasp of torque, gear ratios etc, where would I go from there? Under-actuated robotics are like a step 2. Hell, even robotics 101 seems like a ste…

Fair enough. 6.832 is an advanced course.

Building simple kits is always a good way to get going. You learn by seeing how someone else solved the problem, and add that to your bag of tricks. The Pololu Romi chassis is not a terrible place to start. The wheels have (kinda coarse) encoders, so you can at least get some decent control going. Even simpler robots can be built by modifying hobby servos for continuous rotation. Pick a simple challenge, like "Drive around on a table without falling off.", that is a decent robot "Hello, World!". (And it isn't as easy as it sounds.)

If there is a robot club near by, check it out.

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