Emma Sutherland - Disney seeks patent for "humanoid robot" that can play a character

SUMMARY:
           Disney has asked for a patent application for a project they have been working on to improve their internationally adored theme parks. Disney is trying to develop "humanoid robots" that are "adapted for soft contact and/or interaction with a human". Most likely based off of a famed Disney character, it is said that Disney has already created a "'small, toy-sized' human-looking prototype" made to physically interact with children. The robot's style and motions are based off of a given animated character. Disney, however, has declined to release further information on the patent, and there's no word on when the company will release the robots for the parks.

ANAYLSIS:
          Before reading this article, I had not been aware of the robots Disney was planning to release. I find this very interesting, and a whole new take on theme parks. It really shows the advancement in technology and the push to further our research in order to achieve ideas like this. However, I do wonder if it will change the experience that kids and adults will get at a place like Disney World or Disney Land. Without having a real person there to talk to your kid and make your children feel "special", is it really the same experience? Not to mention, if these "humanoid robots" are to take place of the employees currently working there, that is a lot of jobs taken away from working citizens. Although this is a very cool and technologically advanced idea that will further change our society today, I would like to see the effects of it in relation to the employees and the overall experience for the paying men and women. This can synthesize to the 1920s when many new technological advancements were made in technology with television and the radio.

http://money.cnn.com/2017/04/07/technology/disney-humanoid-soft-robot/index.html