Disney Shares New Video of Upgraded Star Wars BDX Droids Ahead of Walt Disney World Debut

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Free-roaming robotic droid characters for Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Posted: Friday April 11, 2025 3:10pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney Imagineering has released a new video giving fans a fresh look at the upgraded Star Wars BDX droids before their official debut at Walt Disney World later this year.

The short clip features Grek, one of the droids from the BDX lineup, showing off new behaviors that expand the expressive range of these already-popular robotic characters.

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What’s New with the BDX Droids

The new footage shows Grek cycling through a wider range of facial expressions and gestures, revealing a more nuanced emotional personality. He also shows off new dance moves timed to music, interacting with another droid, and using a flashlight.

Associate Lab Director Moritz Bächer previously explained that the creative vision always leads the tech: “We build Disney technology to create next-generation characters… so that you don’t see the mechanical systems any longer — you see just a believable robotic character.”

Free-roaming robotic droid characters for Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

What to Expect in the Parks

The upgraded BDX droids will debut later this year at Walt Disney World following successful appearances at Disneyland and at several tech industry events. Each unit is remotely operated but enhanced with reactive behaviors and pre-programmed show elements. Disney Live Entertainment has also added new content to support interactions tailored to the park environment.

Discuss on the Forums

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Matthew2mrt17 hours ago

These BDX Droids are really incredible indeed. I hope they’ll come back to every Disney Resorts every year.

Raineman2 days ago

"Hey mouse-say cheese!"

danlb_20002 days ago

i know the guy who did this one...

PascagoulaRun2 days ago

Would be cool to get Cal Kestis and BD-1 as walkaround characters

FigmentFan823 days ago

I have to say, even knowing how the sausage is made, I think this is a great and clever use for the technology that truly brings to life a make believe dragon and is sure to delight many for years to come!

larryz3 days ago

They should have them surround people with food and steal their French Fries. Then they'll be at least as entertaining as the sea gulls.

wdwmagic5 days ago

Disney Shares New Video of Upgraded Star Wars BDX Droids Ahead of Walt Disney World Debut https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/star-wars-land/news/11apr2025-disney-shares-new-video-of-upgraded-bdx-droids-ahead-of-walt-disney-world-debut.htm

Cmdr_Crimson7 days ago

UNCgolf7 days ago

I've always thought using characters from live action movies for meet and greets etc. doesn't make any sense for this reason. I think it's obviously not the same person even to kids; it's not really an issue with animated characters.

Cmdr_Crimson7 days ago

Not even on a good day they could even get one looking like he came out of the Holiday Special..

bmr15917 days ago

Robotic characters who can talk to you in the correct voice and know your name because of your MagicBand? I’d be down. Reality is we’d still get the same batch of characters, but at least they could talk.

ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ7 days ago

Cute concept. But it only works right up until Dart begins to turn around then the illusion falls apart. To address, Universal Creative could turn that technical limitation into a creative strength. Have the Performer act as though he's tickling Dart (or Dart is just being uncooperative and stubborn) with the Performer desperately trying to coax him into returning back to Dragon base camp. Or put little Viking-made baby booties on his feet with some type of noise-making tassels or bells that a "baby dragon" would find enjoyment in. Regardless, I think these character interactions will be popular.

ToTBellHop7 days ago

People always hate on face characters. Are his mannerisms good at least? The only convincing face character based upon a live action character for me is Jack Sparrow. Face characters of an animated character are a lot more forgiving. They couldn’t really get Mark Hamill from 40 years ago.