14 DAY TRIAL // Disney Research apparently decided that the sort of mushy companion you've seen in Big Hero 6 film should also turn into real life robots. However, without some proper soft skin, it is pretty hard to emulate that mushy soft texture of Baymax. Unless people think of 3D printing.
The new toy robot isn't just made to imitate a skin people would only see on the cinema screen, it's also nice and smooth so kids could play with their robot friends without getting hurt or even bruised.
To do this a team from the Disney R&D laboratory 3D printed a couple of limb-like robotic parts with soft outer skin that would conceal the hard plastic components underneath it.
The soft, mushy exterior will keep both the robot and the owner safe. However, the air-tight cavity inside the robot has some sort of sense pressure, and if connected to a robotic system with pressure feedback control, even delicate things like tofu can be held without being squished.
I imagine people are crazy about being able to get a Baymax toy for their kids anytime soon, but, unfortunately the research will continue for a while, since the design of the robot isn't yet ready. However, since the rubbery, soft stuff is already done, I bet the rest would be a cakewalk.
