A robotic rabbit wearing a helmet and roller skates tumbled out of a crate and got to its feet alone, extending its arms to balance itself on a stage at Disney’s panel at the South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas.
The robot, apparently modeled after the character Judy Hopps from Disney’s 2016 animated film “Zootopia,” then skated across the stage into a somersault and returned to its feet in a triumphant pose, arms raised, as the audience cheered. A nearby Imagineer, Morgan Pope, steadied the robot as it leaned forward and lifted it onto his shoulders to laughter.
Though the robot did not speak, its childlike actions charmed the audience, which was exactly Disney’s goal. The panel “Creating Happiness: The Art & Science of Disney Parks Storytelling” showcased the company’s work to inspire human delight using innovative technologies and fan-favorite characters within Disney’s theme parks.
