China can build humanoids at scale. The hard part is finding enough buyers
SOURCE: APNEWS.COM
JUN 06, 2026
Disney pulled back the curtain on Imagineering’s robotics lab during its Week of Wishes for a young fan — and showed how its next-gen characters come to life
SOURCE: TECHRADAR.COM
MAY 17, 2026
By Jacob Krol published 8 hours ago
The robotics and tech making it happen
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Disney Parks)
Share this article
Join the conversation
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter
The Walt Disney Company recently marked its “Week of Wishes” — not a promotion for a new film, the unveiling of an attraction, or a product launch, but rather a celebration of its long-standing partnership with Make-A-Wish, the nonprofit focused on granting wishes for children with critical illnesses.
The initiative stretched across Disney Parks, Broadway productions, and special events, but one of the most distinctive experiences happened at Walt Disney Imagineering.
For Eli, a 12-year-old Make-A-Wish kid, his wish was to look behind the curtain at how Disney parks and attractions are built and operated — with a particular fascination for how engineers and designers bring characters to life through animatronics and immersive storytelling.
Latest Videos From
ExplAIned- Apple Intelligence Vs Galaxy AI
You may like
As a member of his middle school robotics team and with a deep curiosity for how things work, Eli has also spent time learning about Imagineers, animatronics, and the history behind Disney Parks’ most iconic attractions. Through Wishes Assemble, though, his curiosity was met in full.
Eli was given the opportunity to meet Imagineers and storytellers, ask questions once he warmed up, and see firsthand how creativity and engineering come together to build experiences for millions of guests.
(Image credit: Disney Expereinces)
“We knew Eli was interested in robotics and Audio-Animatronics so we really pulled back the curtain,” Leslie Evans, Executive R&D Imagineer, told TechRadar. “We showed a bit of the legacy of how our first audio-animatronic figures were designed and animated and then brought him into the actual spaces where Imagineers are designing and building the next generation of figures.
“This includes everything from the technology powering our characters, to the character sculpts and physical foundation, and finally the textures, finishes, skins and final touches that bring these characters from the screen into real life.”
Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox
Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
One of the biggest highlights came when Eli met the BDX Droids — some of Disney’s most advanced robotic characters — and even had the chance to control one himself.
(Image credit: Disney Expereinces)
The expressive Star Wars-inspired robots combine custom hardware, animation systems, sound design, and reinforcement learning models, allowing them to balance, walk, react, dance, and move with distinct personalities. While the droids themselves have various systems, Disney also pairs them with performers using handheld controllers similar in size and layout to a Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch 2.
Eli guided one of the BDX Droids as it walked, jumped, swiveled its head, made sounds, and moved through pre-programmed actions. The robotics here are only part of the larger goal, though.
What to read next
“When we prototype new characters at R&D, we're always thinking about the story first, the feeling of the moment we want to create, and what makes a character really come alive for our guests,” Evans explained.
(Image credit: Disney Expereinces)
Evans says that philosophy — using advanced technology in service of emotional storytelling — is central to Imagineering's approach to innovation.
“We start with a North Star of the experience we want to bring to life and then use technology to make it possible,” she said. “Diving into both the creative process and iterative development really gave Eli a peek at what goes into bringing these stories and characters to guests in our parks.”
That combination of engineering and creativity was a major reason Eli connected so deeply with Imagineering in the first place.
“Eli chose this wish because being an Imagineer encompasses all of his passions,” his mom, Amber Stortz, said. “He has also always had an inquisitive mind as far as engineering goes but still loves the creative and artistic aspects of engineering that only Disney offers.”
(Image credit: Disney Expereinces)
Steve Cotroneo, a Dimension Design Principal at Imagineering, says that for some guests, understanding how the technology and artistry come together can become its own kind of magic.
“For some, the ‘behind the scenes’ process can be just as magical, if not even more so, especially for creative individuals who have a passion for art and technology — and Eli is absolutely someone who has a passion for both,” Cotroneo said.
The timing makes this wish especially meaningful. After a rare six-week break from treatment, Eli recently learned his cancer has returned. While his treatment plan remains unchanged, his family sees this wish as a moment of joy and renewed strength before he heads back into what they call “fight mode.”
At Wishes Assemble, Eli’s experience reflected the week’s broader goal: turning wishes into real-world moments that bring joy, connection, and strength to kids and families who need it most.
Today's best Disney Plus, Disney+ Bundle and Hulu deals
Get first month free
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.
US Managing Editor News
Jacob Krol is the US Managing Editor, News for TechRadar. He’s been writing about technology since he was 14 when he started his own tech blog. Since then Jacob has worked for a plethora of publications including CNN Underscored, TheStreet, Parade, Men’s Journal, Mashable, CNET, and CNBC among others.
He specializes in covering companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google and going hands-on with mobile devices, smart home gadgets, TVs, and wearables. In his spare time, you can find Jacob listening to Bruce Springsteen, building a Lego set, or binge-watching the latest from Disney, Marvel, or Star Wars.
LATEST NEWS
WHAT'S TRENDING
Data Science
5 Imaginative Data Science Projects That Can Make Your Portfolio Stand Out
OCT 05, 2022
Similar articles you can read
Robots give kids exciting way to learn at Barrie Public Library
SOURCE: BARRIETODAY.COM
MAY 24, 2026
As robots threaten our jobs and identity, people seek comfort in unequal social structures
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG
MAY 24, 2026
China’s Unitree unveils a rideable, wall-smashing robot straight out of science fiction
SOURCE: EURONEWS.COM
MAY 17, 2026
