In the latest episode of We Call It Imagineering, Disney Research Imagineers revealed prototypes of aquatic robotics, which open up a number of possibilities for the new Avatar themed land on the horizon for Disney California Adventure.

Aquatic Robots

One prototype is directly inspired by the Ilu a.k.a. jiaolong or sirens, plesiosaur-like creatures that heavily featured in Avatar: The Way of Water and also appear in the Disney’s Animal Kingdom ride Flight of Passage. The prototype is essentially a radio-controlled underwater plane. They have motors that control their up and down and rolling movements.

Propulsion comes from a jet ski-like jet pump, which sucks in water and then shoots it out for thrust. The episode shows the planes swimming, diving, and leaping from the water.

Though they are much smaller than real-life Ilu would be, they still open the door for Ilu to potentially appear in the water-based Avatar land coming to Disney California Adventure. It will replace part of the Hollywood Backlot area, including Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!

Imagineers applied what they learned from the first prototype to a larger dolphin-like prototype. This uses two serves to create up and down or side to side movement. The result is biomimicry with natural, organic movement.

The third prototype is a hydrofloat. It has a plane base similar to the Ilu prototype, which remains in the water. A foam piece is held aloft, representing whatever character they might want to recreate. The episode showcases this float in the water with and without fins on its sides. A GPS and sensors give the device autonomy.

Check out the prototypes in action in the We Call It Imagineering episode below.

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