Walt Disney Imagineering has recruited Martin Buehler, a well known expert in the field of advanced robotics.
Buehler is most well known for his work on the Boston Dynamics 'BigDog' project, which you can see in action in the video below. BigDog runs at 4 mph, climbs slopes up to 35 degrees, walks across rubble, climbs muddy hiking trails, walks in snow and water, and carries 340 lb load.
Martin was also director of research at iRobot and a VP at Vecna Technologies.
Buehler joins WDI at a critical time for Audio-Animatronics, as Disney looks to separate itself from the wider adoption of animated figures at other parks around the world.
The upcoming AVATAR project at Disney's Animal Kingdom is expected to debut some next generation Audio-Animatronic figures to bring the AVATAR story to life.
Martin will lead WDI R&D's Advanced Robotics and will take on the role of executive R&D Imagineer.
Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox