Walt Disney pioneered the art of animation and pushed the boundaries of robotics with his audio-animatronic presidents, but now the research lab that bears his name, along with ETH Zurich, have figured out a way to combine both art forms. Dubbed Pixelbots, Disney scientists have unleashed a swarm of teensy two-wheeled robots can traverse a surface and create dynamic animations in real time.
Mechanically, these circular robots are fairly straightforward. The two-inch discs have a differential wheelbase, allowing them to move freely over a flat surface. Magnetic wheels mean that the surface can be a floor, wall, or ceiling, prefiguring a future where these contraptions might crawl on the walls of theme park attractions.
via Wired
Image: Disney
