Disney’s 12 principles of animation are a set of guidelines for animators that were developed by Disney animators Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas in their 1981 book, “The Illusion of Life.” These principles have since become a cornerstone of animation and are applicable not just to traditional animation but also to robotics. In this article, we’ll explore how Disney’s 12 principles of animation apply to robotics and how several products at ingen dynamics embrace these techniques.
The first principle is Squash and Stretch, which is used to give objects weight and flexibility. This principle is applied in robots to give them a sense of movement and motion. For example, Aido Robot uses Squash and Stretch in its joints to make it look more lifelike and less robotic.
The second principle is Anticipation, which is used to prepare the audience for an action. In robotics, this principle can be applied to make the robot seem more natural and human-like.
The third principle is Staging, which is used to set up a scene and make it clear to the audience what is happening. In robotics, this principle can be applied to make the robot’s actions clear and understandable. For example, Kobe Robot uses Staging in its workouts to clearly demonstrate exercises to users.
The fourth principle is Straight Ahead Action and Pose to Pose, which are two different approaches to animation. In robotics, these approaches can be used to program a robot’s movements. For example, Senpai Robot uses Pose to Pose animation to create fluid and natural movements in its interactions with students.
The fifth principle is Follow Through and Overlapping Action, which is used to create natural movement and make sure that different parts of an object move at different rates. In robotics, this principle can be applied to make a robot’s movements more natural and fluid. For example, Aido Robot uses Follow Through and Overlapping Action in its head movements to make them more realistic.
According to experts, Disney’s 12 principles of animation can be applied to robotics to make robots more engaging and relatable to humans. As Martin Görner, a developer advocate at Google puts it, “Disney’s principles are really about making the unreal seem real.” Similarly, Tad Doxsee, vice president of robotics at Diligent Robotics, says that these principles can help robots become “more natural and intuitive for users.”
Several products at ingen dynamics embrace these techniques. Aido Robot uses Squash and Stretch, Follow Through and Overlapping Action to create a more lifelike appearance. Fari Robot uses Anticipation to create a more natural and human-like interaction with patients. Kobe Robot uses Staging to make its workout routines clear and easy to understand. And Senpai Robot uses Pose to Pose animation to create natural and fluid movements in its interactions with students.
In conclusion, Disney’s 12 principles of animation are applicable not just to traditional animation but also to robotics. By applying these principles, robots can become more engaging and relatable to humans. At ingen dynamics, we understand the importance of these principles and have incorporated them into several of our products, including Aido Robot, Fari Robot, Kobe Robot, and Senpai Robot. We believe that by embracing these techniques, we can create robots that are not just functional, but also enjoyable to interact with.
Arshad Hisham
Founder and CEO
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