Since the company's early days as an MIT affiliate, Boston Dynamics systems have always provided entertainment value. It's something the Hyundai-owned company has long embraced, posting dozens of wildly viral videos over the decades.
However, with a few exceptions, entertainment was more of a side benefit than the ultimate goal. However, that will change in the near future, as the company just announced a deal with Singapore-based entertainment brand Neon.
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Notably (at least for our purposes), Neon is the parent company of Animax Designs. The Nashville-based firm has created theme parks and animatronic exhibits for some of Hollywood's biggest franchises, including Avatar, Jurassic Park, Marvel and Harry Potter.
No real details have been revealed, beyond the fact that the deal “will culminate in a reveal in late 2024 that will engage, inspire and dazzle audiences.” For now, it's unclear if that means theme park robots or something else entirely.
A big benefit for Neon/Animax is Boston Dynamics' ability to produce robust, untethered autonomous systems at scale. The world of theme park robots has been transformed in recent years, with experiences like Disneyland's Star Wars Galaxy's Edge showcasing robots that mingle with park guests.
“We are excited about collaborating with Neon and Animax to develop completely free entertainment robots,” Boston Dynamics chief strategy officer Marc Theermann said in a statement. “These uniquely interactive creatures are set to captivate consumers through novel and exciting engagements. By joining forces with Neon, a leader in immersive storytelling, we are combining our cutting-edge technology with their enchanting storytelling expertise.”
The deal marks another step in Boston Dynamics' commercialization roadmap, which began with quadruped Spot and truck unloading robot Stretch. However, the company's entertainment roots go back even further. Marc Raibert and team Robots were also produced. for the set of the 1993 Sean Connery/Wesley Snipes/Michael Crichton film, Rising Sun.
