:

DISNEY DEPLOYS AQUATIC ROBOTS IN PARK OVERHAUL

INDUSTRY DESK1 MIN READ
FRI, JUN 26, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 2 SOURCES ▸ TIMELINE

Disney is developing animatronic marine life for its theme parks, including a transforming manta ray prototype that will shift into the Moana character Gramma Tala. The company plans to expand the concept with dolphin-like robots.

Inside Disney's research and development lab, engineers have constructed a wooden manta ray prototype the size of a car. The final version will operate at a lagoon within a Disney park and feature transformation capabilities tied to the studio's Moana franchise. The project represents part of a broader initiative to integrate robotics into Disney's theme park experiences. Beyond the manta ray system, the company intends to deploy a fleet of dolphin-themed robots alongside the initial installation. Disney has invested heavily in robotic attractions over recent years, including hovering Star Wars droids that appear in park environments. The aquatic robot expansion signals continued investment in immersive, technology-driven experiences designed to enhance visitor engagement across Disney's global parks portfolio.

■ SOURCES

Bloomberg TechBloomberg Tech

■ SUMMARY WRITTEN BY AI FROM THE LINKS ABOVE

■ MORE FROM THE HARDWARE DESK

After years of minimal progress, budget phone maker Tecno has reportedly delivered the first truly bezel-free smartphone, breaking a plateau that hit the industry around a decade ago.

JUST NOWIndustry Desk

Circular unveiled its Ring 3 Series today, featuring vibrating alerts and NFC contactless payments across both Pro and Slim models. The new rings build on the Ring 2's health-tracking capabilities, including FDA-cleared atrial fibrillation detection.

JUST NOWIndustry Desk

Anker has unveiled the Eufy MindBase, a local AI hub designed to work with its camera ecosystem. The device runs an Anker-developed large language model entirely on-device, eliminating cloud dependency.

JUST NOWAI Desk

Lego releases a detailed replica of the original PlayStation console on October 1, complete with miniature dioramas featuring classic games from the system.

1H AGOIndustry Desk

■ SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY BRIEF

ONE EMAIL, 5 STORIES, 06:00 UTC. UNSUBSCRIBE ANYTIME.