As described in the newest episode of We Call It Imagineering, Disney brought HERBIE from The Fantastic Four: First Steps from concept to real-life robot in just three months.
HERBIE Robot
First Steps director Matt Shakman changed the design of HERBIE (Humanoid Experimental Robot, B-type, Integrated Electronics) from the floating robot seen in the comics to a grounded version rolling on a ball so that Disney could more easily bring the character to life for parks guests. This required a collaboration between Imagineering, Live Entertainment, artists, engineers, designers, scientists, and character performers.
In the film, HERBIE was accomplished using computer graphics and a prop that didn’t actually balance. When Imagineers created a real-life version of the robot, they equipped it with sensors that measure its angle, position, and speed 250 times per second so it can constantly make micro-adjustments and remain upright.
The fact that this was done in just three months demonstrates just how many advancements have been made at Imagineering in just the past few years. For reference, the Star Wars BDX droids also discussed at length in the Research & Development episode took about a year from concept to park appearances.
HERBIE and the Fantastic Four met for a limited time this summer in Tomorrowland at Disneyland.
Watch the full We Call It Imagineering episode below.
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