Animatronics

Animatronics (combining the words Animation and Electronics) describes the technique of electronically animating three-dimensional characters, either in movies, live theatre, museum & heritage or theme park attractions.
The term 'Audio-Animatronics' is a Disney trademark and describes the synchronisation of mechanical figures and an audio soundtrack. The early 'AA' figures were triggered by audio frequency pulses recorded on magnetic tape. Different frequencies operated different reed switches, which operated the robotic figures.

[photo, right, shows a 'bare' animatronic figure at the Walt Disney: One Mans Dream Museum, Orlando, Florida]

This page is under construction - more links coming soon

Animatronics Manufacturers

• Animal Makers [some great Behind the Scenes information here - click on the left menu]
• AVG
• Custom Entertainment Solutions Inc.
• Garner Holt
• Farmer Attraction Development
• Nimba Creations
• Sally Corp Designers & manufacturers of animatronics and dark rides
• Sarcos Manufacturer of animatronics for Disney, Universal & others
• Stan Winston Studio (Jurassic Park)

Animatronic Designers

• Universal Creative
• Walt Disney Imagineering

Control Systems

• Alcorn McBride Inc.
• Gilderfluke

Notable Animatronics in theme parks

• Disneyland - Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
• Disneyland - Haunted Mansion
• Disneyland - Pirates of the Caribbean
• Disneyland - Enchanted Tiki Room
• Disney Parks - Lucky the Dinosaur
• Walt Disney World Resort - Epcot - The American Adventure
• Universal Studios Hollywood - Jurassic Park: The Ride

Notable Movies featuring Animatronics

• E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (1982)
  • Making of E.T. featurette
• Gremlins (1984)
  • Making of Gremlins featurette
• Jurassic Park (1993)
• MORE COMING SOON