Animatronic Eyes Origins
Before animatronics was a word, “automatons” (animated, clockwork powered, very clever figures) have been around since at least 400 BCE. The first note of an automaton’s eyes moving was a wink from such a creation made by Chinese mechanical engineer known as Yan Shi.
The Disney WED Contribution
Animatronic eyes cannot be discussed without paying respect to WED’s engineering in the 1960’s. From the huge mechanical eyes on the squid in the movie “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” (1954) to the animatronic eyes in Abraham Lincoln Disney’s engineers pushed the technology forward. Fast-forward to now and WED has created one of the most creepy set of animatronic eyes in a head that tracks your movement and reacts in a very human-like way!
What About Now?
100’s of animatronic eyes have been produced by companies ranging from genius designers at Stan Winston’s Legacy Effects to research organizations pushing the limits. Many eyes used for film and stage animatronics are controlled using servos. Theme parks and research organizations may go a step further using stepper motors, pneumatics, and more. Engineered Arts has one of the most complex eye systems that are not only extremely realistic but have high resolutions cameras that enable real-time interaction with humans.
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2023