During Disney's "The Future of World-Building" conference at the SXSW festival in Austin, Disney confirmed the upcoming presence of the small BD-X robots in several of its parks. These droids had been inaugurated in test at Disneyland in the "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" area before appearing daily during the "Season of the Force" event. in 2024.
Growing Success for BD-X
Their advanced technology allows them to scan the environment, react to visitors, and express themselves through LED screens and onboard speakers. Their movements are achieved thanks to four actuators in the head and neck, as well as five motors in each leg, giving them impressive fluidity.
Their popularity was confirmed when they received the Thea Award 2025 for their technological innovation. They also made their first appearance outside of Disney parks at aboard the Disney Wish cruise ship, although they are not yet integrated into regular sailings.
The expansion of BD-X doesn't stop at Disney Parks. They will also be part of the Star Wars cinematic universe, with a confirmed appearance in the film The Mandalorian & Grogu scheduled for May 22, 2026. It remains to be seen Whether these droids will be allies or adversaries for the saga's flagship duo!
Disney Imagineering, the creative arm behind these droids, employs a team of engineers and designers whose imagination has virtually no limits. These comics combine advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and new storytelling techniques. The Imagineering studio has already created impressive animatronics like Otto, a Droidsmith presented at the SXSW conference, which belongs to the same species as Babu Frik.
At the same time, Disney continues to focus on Star Wars immersion in its attractions. The iconic "Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run," which allows visitors to pilot the famous ship, will benefit from a major update. Starting in May 2026, passengers will embark on a new mission alongside Mando and Grogu, with updated scenery and iconic destinations like Cloud City, Tatooine, and Endor.
Between the arrival of BDX in several parks and their appearance on the big screen, Disney is confirming its desire to evolve the Star Wars experience in its attractions. Visitors should welcome these new interactive companions with good humor, and it's even likely that they will end up stealing the spotlight from the other stars of the attractions.
0 Comments