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Disney robot uses propellers to turn into wall-crawler
POSTED 20 Jan 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
VertiGo extends the ability for robots to travel through both urban and indoor environments
Disney’s research arm has developed a robot capable of transitioning from the ground to the wall.

Dubbed VertiGo, the wall climbing robot was created in collaboration between Disney Research Zurich and Switzerland’s ETH Zurich university.

The four-wheel prototype uses two tiltable propellers that provide thrust to move the robot onto the wall and then to keep it there as it manoeuvres around the vertical surface. One set of the robot's wheels are steerable, and each propeller has two degrees of freedom for adjusting the direction of thrust.



The robot offers new capability for moving devices, extending the ability for robots to travel through both urban and indoor environments, something Disney could incorporate into its theme parks as part of immersive technology on rides, or use in its shows to create seemingly impossible effects. Developer Paul Beardsley told IEEE Spectrum that while he couldn’t discuss why Disney was developing VertiGo, one such use could be “robots with lighting effects for entertainment or wall games.”

Weight on the VertiGo has been minimised by using a central carbon-fibre baseplate. In addition, 3D-printed parts have been used and carbon-rods are used for more complex structures, such as the wheels and wheel suspension.

The robot works with two infrared distance sensors mounted on the front to estimate the robot's orientation in space, while the two propellers control speed and direction.

Weight on the VertiGo has been minimised by using a central carbon-fibre baseplate
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NEWS
Disney robot uses propellers to turn into wall-crawler
POSTED 20 Jan 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
VertiGo extends the ability for robots to travel through both urban and indoor environments
Disney’s research arm has developed a robot capable of transitioning from the ground to the wall.

Dubbed VertiGo, the wall climbing robot was created in collaboration between Disney Research Zurich and Switzerland’s ETH Zurich university.

The four-wheel prototype uses two tiltable propellers that provide thrust to move the robot onto the wall and then to keep it there as it manoeuvres around the vertical surface. One set of the robot's wheels are steerable, and each propeller has two degrees of freedom for adjusting the direction of thrust.



The robot offers new capability for moving devices, extending the ability for robots to travel through both urban and indoor environments, something Disney could incorporate into its theme parks as part of immersive technology on rides, or use in its shows to create seemingly impossible effects. Developer Paul Beardsley told IEEE Spectrum that while he couldn’t discuss why Disney was developing VertiGo, one such use could be “robots with lighting effects for entertainment or wall games.”

Weight on the VertiGo has been minimised by using a central carbon-fibre baseplate. In addition, 3D-printed parts have been used and carbon-rods are used for more complex structures, such as the wheels and wheel suspension.

The robot works with two infrared distance sensors mounted on the front to estimate the robot's orientation in space, while the two propellers control speed and direction.

Weight on the VertiGo has been minimised by using a central carbon-fibre baseplate
RELATED STORIES
Disneyland Shanghai sets June opening date


Disney has set a new opening date for its first theme park in China, which will open on 16 June later this year.
Iger 'bullish' over Shanghai Disneyland prospect


Disney CEO Bob Iger has said the company is confident ahead of the launch of Shanghai Disneyland next year, praising growth in the Chinese market.
Major US theme parks beef-up security amid terror tensions


Disney, Universal Studios and SeaWorld have all tightened security at their parks in the wake of recent events in the US and abroad.
US$1.5bn ‘Disney-quality’ theme park thought to be back on track in China


A theme park and resort development that has been tabled since 2011 is thought to be finally going ahead, Attractions Management understands.
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Les Mills calls on the industry to support UNICEF
Global group exercise specialist, Les Mills, is inviting operators to sign up to its Workout for the World event on 20 June, in support of UNICEF.
HUM2N opens longevity clinic at Six Senses London
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
KX Chelsea invests £15 million to upgrade its wellness offering
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining training, recovery and relaxation.
Researchers identify a drug which reduces muscle loss when using GLP-1 medications
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