A system-level platform spanning humanoid robotic arms, integrated joint modules, global remote operations, and open-sourced real-world data was exhibited at CES 2026. The Core Innovations Behind the Industrialization of Intelligent Robotics A system-level platform spanning humanoid robotic arms, integrated joint modules, global remote operations, and open-sourced real-world data was exhibited at CES 2026. Edited by EE Staff Cool Stuff Feb 2, 2026 RealMan Robotics, a system-level infrastructure platform company for the era of embodied intelligence, unveiled its latest advancements at CES 2026, showcasing a comprehensive technology stack spanning hardware, data, and remote operations. Three core innovations were displayed, including a fully integrated joint module, ultra-lightweight humanoid robotic arms, and the Global Labor Network (GLN) that is powered by RealBOT wheel-foldable robots and the Humanoid Robot Data Training Center. These offerings demonstrate RealMan’s holistic approach to embodied AI, bridging physical intelligence, real-world data, and distributed human-robot collaboration. RealMan’s ultra-lightweight humanoid robotic arms are engineered to closely replicate the length, thickness, flexibility, and load characteristics of an adult male arm. Each arm supports a rated payload of 5 kg, a peak load of 9 kg, and achieves a TCP speed of up to 1.8 m/s, enabling seamless integration into human-centric work and living environments. Images courtesy of RealMan. The 7-degree-of-freedom RX series, featuring a highly anthropomorphic wrist design, was created for dexterous manipulation in confined spaces. Certified to CR L3, the robotic arms achieve an average MTBF of 50,000 hours, supporting stable execution of real-world tasks such as opening refrigerator and washing machine doors, capabilities critical for large-scale, high-quality data collection. In addition, RealMan’s integrated joint modules have obtained RoHS and REACH certification, following rigorous compliance testing conducted by TÜV SÜD Germany. A major highlight at CES 2026 was RealMan’s live demonstration of cross-border, real-time teleoperation from Beijing to Las Vegas. Embodied trainers at RealMan’s Humanoid Robot Data Training Center in Beijing remotely controlled a RealBOT wheel-foldable robot on the CES show floor, performing tasks such as item delivery and fruit handover in real-world environments. Images courtesy of RealMan. This remote operations network transforms human skills into scalable infrastructure, making operational capabilities schedulable, quality-assured, and billable. Through an immersive teleoperation interface, operators can precisely command robots in real time, executing tasks ranging from towel folding and box handling to complex operations such as pipeline inspection and power system management. Beyond hardware, this capability enables efficient global distribution of labor resources across time and space, while continuously generating high-quality, real-world data to drive the next breakthroughs in embodied intelligence. RealMan’s Humanoid Robot Data Training Center operates 108 embodied robotic bodies across ten real-world application scenarios, accumulating data from thousands of tasks and millions of trajectory segments. The center has developed the world’s first high-quality, multimodal real-world dataset, which has been open-sourced to address critical data bottlenecks in robotic learning. By providing critical data support to both academia and industry, RealMan accelerates the development of advanced algorithms and the industrialization of intelligent robotics. For more information: RealMan Robotics Robot Integrated Actuators Read more about innovative robotics >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

High performance tooling proves essential in motorcycle design and rider experience. Precision Tooling Solutions Meets Creative Motorcycle Innovation High performance tooling proves essential in motorcycle design and rider experience. Kennametal Sports Aug 21, 2025 Cool Stuff When you strive for innovation, you can’t get much more advanced or even cooler than the partnership between Kennametal and Kraus Motor. High-performance tooling and sleek surface finishes make the perfect combination for unequaled craftsmanship. Kraus Motor is a custom CNC shop that designs and manufactures ergonomics, suspensions, and braking systems for motorcycles. Their focus is on consumer products based in an industry that is all about aesthetics and quality of finish. And that is super important to them because each product is front and center for the customer to see. All photos courtesy of Kennametal and Kraus Motor Co. When Kennametal learned that Kraus Motor had been fighting with different tooling for their aluminum and stainless steel products to obtain the right finish quality they needed, our representatives stepped in and presented solutions to solve their machining challenges. According to Satya Kraus, Owner of Kraus Motor Co., “The quality of the tooling has been great. Being able to speak with people who know what you're talking about—and are machinists and have done machining makes a big difference when you have a technical question. There's somebody there who understands what you're talking about and has some experience with it. I've found we get that with Kennametal.” Kraus Motor runs a ton of tooling through their shop and is making a big push to transform a majority of their drilling and milling solutions to Kennametal. Satya highlights that his machinists and programmers appreciate the Kennametal systems, tooling, and catalogs. A key benefit is the ability to load tooling models into their CAM systems directly. As a leader in their industry, Kraus Motor designs and fabricates their products using lathes, 5-axis machines and horizontal and vertical machines. Some of their complex tooling includes the use of 3D machining for their ball-end finishes. With so many machines and the need for several types of tools including Beyond™ Evolution cut-off inserts, Kennametal provides innovative options at every stage of product development. “You want to work with companies that are continuing to develop,” Satya said. As the industry continues to shift toward performance, ergonomics has become Kraus Motor's primary focus. Their research and development team, composed of experienced riders, understands what customers seek to experience. “Ergonomics is the first thing we attack. We set that bike up for the individual. If they are comfortable on that bike, they are confident on that bike. Then they are going to be able to use the OEM performance to its extent before they start adding some really high-grade suspension and braking technologies,” Satya explains. Kraus Motor is dedicated to producing products that require multiple operations and have features that must be precisely aligned with each other. With Kennametal’s precision tooling solutions and Kraus Motor’s dedication to creating a new functional experience for the rider, their partnership is set to push the boundaries of motorcycle design and manufacturing. For more information: Kennametal Kraus Motor Beyond Evolution Cut-Off Insert Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

An insightful dialogue about what goes into designing something new and how it relates to other projects. WATCH: One-on-One with Chris Porter of igus An insightful dialogue about what goes into designing something new and how it relates to other projects. Videos Aug 11, 2025 Theme Parks In a casual conversation with the Industry Manager for Stage & Amusement in Central Florida for igus, Inc., Entertainment Engineering explores how closely designers get to their projects, how they start the process of designing something new, and how they are always working on several projects in several different industries at the same time. In this video, we show how creativity and inspiration can come from anywhere and how easily it can reshape a solution to fit a specific application. Whether working with off-the-shelf components or thinking up a completely off-the-charts custom approach, it’s all about brining your experience as well as an open mind to the table. Note to our audience: Technology Transfer DIY Stories Entertainment Engineering Magazine is looking for stories about your home projects where you take the technological experience you have at work and apply it to your home projects. I know engineers in aerospace who have rebuilt their lawn mowers, engineers in medical devices who built their own toy rocket. The spark of inspiration can come from anywhere. And once that spark is enflamed the design can morph and adapt along the way. We’re interested in your non-work-related projects. What are you designing at home, for yourself or a neighbor or relative? Is it a Halloween project? A Christmas project? Or just a backyard thing you’re working on? Here’s what we’d like to see: 1) What got you thinking about the project in the first place? 2) What is your background and why you thought you could tackle the project? 3) What technologies did you use (electrical, electronics, mechanical, fluid power, materials, etc.)? 4) How does the end product work and how did it do what you needed it to? 5) Answer those four questions in less than 800 words (and focus on the tech), then send us your story, some photos, and even a video if you have one. We can’t publish every story, but we can choose a few a month to publish. If you want to read an example, check this out: You can reach us at: Contact@EntertainmentEngineeringMagazine.com Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

The latest in a series of ocean-observing radar altimetry missions. Ocean and Atmospheric Data Improves Hurricane Forecasts The latest in a series of ocean-observing radar altimetry missions. EE Staff Mini Story Jan 19, 2026 NASA and its partners launch a US-European satellite to monitor Earth’s oceans. The project is meant to provide ocean and atmospheric data for a number of purposes. According to Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, “Understanding tidal patterns down to the inch is critical in protecting how we use our oceans every day on Earth.” Two satellites make up the Copernicus Sentinel-6/Jason-CS (Continuity of Service) mission, which is the latest in a series of ocean-observing radar altimetry missions that have monitored Earth’s changing seas since the early 1990s. Key information includes wind speeds, wave heights, atmospheric temperature, and humidity. Get more informative details from the full article here . *Artist’s concept courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Stunning immersive content for the new Let’s Go Fly! app for Apple Vision Pro was created and processed using high-tech cameras and software ideal for the job. Creating Immersive VR Flight Content for Personal Aviation Stunning immersive content for the new Let’s Go Fly! app for Apple Vision Pro was created and processed using high-tech cameras and software ideal for the job. Edited by EE Staff Cool Stuff Aug 24, 2026 Aerospace Imagine soaring above incredible sights of the Arizona desert. Cirrus, known for their inclusion in the Personal Aviation space, has created immersive flight demos for its SR22T aircraft to allow such a feeling. The content they’ve created is being used to demonstrate its newest innovations to prospective and current customers—regardless of their location—through the use of their new “Let’s Go Fly!” app for Apple Vision Pro. Images courtesy of Blackmagic Design and Cirrus. Cirrus collaborated with Rogue Labs, an immersive media and spatial app development studio, to produce the content, along with XBrand—who helped produce all of the aerials for Top Gun Maverick and numerous other movies—to capture the aerial cinematography. The shoot started in Page, AZ and followed the aircraft to Sedona, AZ, capturing breathtaking views of Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon along the way. Cirrus and Rogue Labs used Blackmagic Design’s URSA Cine Immersive digital film cameras and DaVinci Resolve Studio editing, color grading, visual effects (VFX), and audio post-production software in the development of the content. The Experience of Flight To showcase different angles and the experience of flying the aircraft, URSA Cine Immersives were used to capture footage on the runway, in the cockpit, and were even rigged in aerial gimbals on the nose and rear of a twin prop aircraft that filmed air-to-air footage of the Cirrus SR22T in flight. The cameras were housed in two custom built rigs from Immortal Camera so they could be flown at high speeds on the fixed wing camera ship, allowing the team to capture never before filmed immersive footage of the aircraft in flight. Images courtesy of Blackmagic Design and Cirrus. Cirrus’ Director of Media Anthony Bottini noted, “We wanted to capture iconic desert Southwest landscapes. The region’s dramatic geological formations, deep canyons and vast open spaces were ideal for demonstrating the freedom and visibility that define the Cirrus flying experience. Shooting in these environments required careful attention to horizon stability, cockpit spatial layout, and the viewer’s perceived immersion, especially when portraying altitude, aircraft motion and the thrill of flying your own personal airplane.” In order to place viewers directly in the pilot’s seat for a first-person sense of flight, Cirrus used a Technocrane for the ramp intro—to create a smooth, cinematic transition into the aircraft. Inside the cockpit, a custom rig was built to position a camera in a natural pilot’s eye position without disrupting aircraft operation. For air-to-air sequences, a camera was mounted on a fixed wing aerial platform, which allowed for the capture of dynamic, close formation visuals that translated exceptionally well in an immersive format. According to John “JR” Racine of Rogue Labs, “All of these setups helped to create the incredible scenery and movement that will pull the audience into the story. Getting the air-to-air footage from outside the airplane was amazing; the footage is absolutely incredible, and we couldn’t have pulled it off with a different setup.” Images courtesy of Blackmagic Design and Cirrus. Bottini explained, “Beyond the URSA Cine Immersive itself, our kit was intentionally streamlined. The camera’s integrated design meant we didn’t need a complex set of peripherals to achieve high quality immersive capture, which made it easier to move quickly between environments and mounting configurations.” The goal was to create an immersive flight experience for Apple Vision Pro that highlighted the accessibility, capability, and beauty of the Cirrus SR Series aircraft so that viewers could understand how Personal Aviation opens up the world. They were able to capture the beauty and joy of being an owner of a Cirrus aircraft; having the ability to fly wherever you want, whenever you want. The URSA Cine Immersive was chosen for its incredible fidelity and quality of the footage, as well as its ease of use. Plus, the camera’s seamless workflow integration with DaVinci Resolve Studio made post-production far more efficient, allowing the team to focus on the creative side while maintaining the technical precision that Apple Immersive Video demands. Images courtesy of Blackmagic Design and Cirrus. “Being able to capture true immersive 8K 90 fps imagery with a workflow designed specifically for spatial formats was a game changer,” Bottini noted. “While many cameras can approximate immersive footage, the URSA Cine Immersive is purpose built for it, allowing us to maintain consistency between cockpit, Technocrane, and aerial platform shots. Its integration with DaVinci Resolve simplified the ingest and editorial process, reducing technical friction and letting our team focus more on creative decisions.” The team is proud to be the first aviation OEM to produce an immersive film in this format. Air-to-air sequences allow viewers to experience the sense of flight in a way that feels far more authentic and emotionally engaging than traditional video. For information: Blackmagic Design URSA Cine Immersive DaVinci Resolve Studio Cirrus Aircraft Rogue Labs X-Brand Read more aerospace content >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Nineteen specially designed and molded parts helps these 5G-capable security UAVs operate under a wide variety of applications from theme parks to industrial sites. Drones Created for Security Applications at Zoos, Theme Parks, and More Nineteen specially designed and molded parts helps these 5G-capable security UAVs operate under a wide variety of applications from theme parks to industrial sites. Edited by EE Staff Cool Stuff Aug 24, 2026 Whether you are on set at a movie location, monitoring theme park or zoo audiences, or protecting an industrial location, Nokia Enterprise Solutions has created a platform-based, wireless Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) with a focus on superior 5G connectivity. It uses Nokia Drone Networks (NDN)—powered by the Nokia Digital Automation Cloud. An end-to-end solution comprising private and secure mobile broadband cloud connectivity. The solution enables a fleet of drones to fly on automated individual missions steered from the NDN ground control station. For maximum versatility, the payload of the drone can be changed, and the Nokia drones can be equipped or enhanced in many ways. The Nokia dual camera gimbal has mounted HD video capability and thermal video cameras. The UAV can also carry equipment such as loudspeakers, search lights, and customizable sensors to detect smoke, motion, and radiation. In this way, the drones can meet a very wide range of business and industrial applications, from collecting data for perimeter security purposes to facilitating public safety operations in mission critical situations. The deployment of Nokia Drone Networks for public safety use has garnered a lot of attention. Meeting 5G Communications and Aviation Requirements It’s imperative that unmanned aviation products meet all the certification requirements demanded by the relevant aviation authorities as well as those expected by customers in the marketplace. The stringent aviation certification constraints, combined with a need for the highest spec 5G connectivity performance presented a considerable engineering challenge. Nokia asked Protolabs to support it in the development of a CE/CB-certified 5G industrial-use UAV solution. Successful manufacturing was achieved through the advice of Protolabs’ team of application engineers and the rapid injection molding of parts; pressed, packed, and shipped to Nokia for assembly. In aviation, all components must be as lightweight as possible. However, safety is an issue when designing unmanned aviation products such as drones because of the high-capacity battery used to power the device. The compact, but powerful battery can be flammable under certain circumstances, challenging strict aviation regulations. So, it’s vital that materials used within a UAV meet all flammability standards. Another consideration is that materials must stand up to the robust requirements of outdoor use, such as exposure to fluctuating temperatures, precipitation, and ultraviolet radiation. Does the material become brittle in sunlight? Each of these must be verified. Images courtesy of Protolabs and Nokia. A few weeks into the venture, even though tooling had already begun, Nokia had to abandon its first choice of material because it didn’t meet both the certification standards and their precise needs of the application. The Nokia and Protolabs teams went back to the drawing board to find the right material that could satisfy all requirements. After a painstaking search, they eventually found a solution. They ended up with a two-phase selection process. In the first phase, because there are no qualifying materials within UAV design, the teams looked at materials typically used in the automotive sector that also met aviation standards . Then in the second phase, they matched the material with Protolabs’ machining capabilities. A range of machining capabilities gave Nokia options that ultimately yielded the right material: Emerge 8030-15 (Black PC). Polycarbonates are lightweight, easy-to-mold thermoplastics that are extremely durable and highly resistant to impact and fracture. They are also fire resistant and have insulating properties. The injection molding team adapted the tooling created for the previously abandoned material, saving valuable time and cost to Nokia. The companies were against a unique manufacturing challenge as the material not only needed to meet stringent aviation safety and outdoor use certification, the material had to allow the drone to perform as a 5G device with connectivity. Many drone manufacturers and other similar manufacturers within the aviation sector include small metal parts inside the device that require connectivity, so the casing and structural parts had to be made of something that wouldn’t interfere with the signal. “If you use a material that has an EMC shielding, but then have an integrated antenna within the shielded enclosure, this will potentially inhibit connectivity,” said Corpuz. “These drones are basically 5G-connected robots, so the materials used needed to be very carefully selected to work within incredibly tight certification and connectivity parameters.” And of course, there was the issue of vibrations, shocks, a challenging environment, and the need for lightweight materials. Keeping the drone light meant designing thin walls, which can make it tough to find the correct pressure that will allow for complete resin flow, but not damage the mold. “Protolabs did an outstanding job guiding us through the intricacies of the mold design process, especially considering the new more difficult material. The constant support we received while evaluating different materials was outstanding,” said Jaakko Vuorio, principal hardware engineer, Nokia Enterprise Solutions. According to Thomas Eder, Head of Embedded Wireless Solutions at Nokia Enterprise Solutions, “It was an extraordinary engineering challenge that was met by extraordinary service from Protolabs. Their efficiency, expertise, attention to detail, and design speed was something that not many other manufacturers could have achieved. Once we had the material locked in, Protolabes molded the parts and shipped them out to use extremely swiftly.” The collaboration with Protolabs required no less than 19 different part designs, for both casing and structural aspects of the device, as well as one gasket. The components not only protected the elements inside the drone and provided the necessary aerodynamics required for a high-performance UAV, but they were also intrinsic to the framework of the drone, ultimately holding the device together. For information: Protolabs Nokia Read more case studies about drones >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

While artistry and acrobatics captivates audiences in Cirque du Soleil’s KA, there’s a hidden force that brings these spectacles to life. Powering the Moving Stage for Cirque du Soleil’s KA While artistry and acrobatics captivates audiences in Cirque du Soleil’s KA, there’s a hidden force that brings these spectacles to life. Robert Ferrara Stage Events Apr 3, 2026 From the gravity-defying stage of KÀ to the aquatic marvel of O , hydraulic systems have been instrumental in creating the magic that unfolds nightly on the Strip. At the MGM Grand, KÀ stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity. The show’s centerpiece is a 150-ton stage that rises 70 feet into the air, tilts up to 100 degrees, and rotates 360 degrees—all powered by hydraulics. Images courtesy of Atlantic Hydraulics Systems. Precision and reliability of the system are crucial, as the stage’s movements must be synchronized with the performers’ actions to ensure safety and enhance the storytelling experience. Designed by our team here at Atlantic Hydraulic Systems, the system requires four massive 12-inch bore cylinders, each with a 72-foot stroke, to lift the stage at a rate of two feet per second. The system is fitted with four vertically mounted cylinders. To maintain the movement, the system incorporates ten Parker PE145 series piston pumps driven by five 250-horsepower motors. Each five-pump set provides 130 gallons per minute. Since there is significant dwell time between stage moves for accumulator charging, the balance of the flow required is supplied by a farm of 34 50-gallon Parker accumulators and seventeen 350-gallon nitrogen bottles. Images courtesy of Atlantic Hydraulics Systems. Here's the cool part: the system was designed so that the cylinders are mounted rod down above the stage gantry. This allows them to perform the lifting function while retracting. If the cylinders were mounted rod up, they would have to push the stage up, resulting in buckling of the 5-in. diameter, 70-ft. long rods. Mounting the cylinders rod down means that the rod is always in tension, eliminating the likelihood of buckling. Servo control manifolds are mounted to the rod ports of the cylinders. Each of the four cylinders is controlled independently by its own servo valve manifold. This uses a 3-way, 80mm Atos proportional valve and a Parker D3FH series zero-lap servo solenoid valve, which work together to provide both the high flow and fine resolution required. Oil is fed to the rod side of the cylinder only, so that the stage is lowered by metering out the oil in a closed loop fashion from all four cylinders. Safety in Art For Cirque Du Soleil and the MGM Grand Hotel artist safety is of the utmost importance. For this reason, we installed two retractable 50-ft diameter safety nets that sit below the stage as it lifts, tilts, and spins. Due to space and noise constraints, 14 hydraulically driven winches were chosen to set and strike the nets. The Magneto Hydraulics winches are each controlled by a Denison proportional valve for speed control, and the hydraulic motors on the winches are dual displacement. A solenoid valve on the motors shifts the motor’s piston swashplate from hi-torque/low speed to low-torque/high speed. Eight of the winches use a mooring control circuit, which allows the net to move as a whole while under constant tension. An on-board encoder and pressure transducers provide net position and tension feedback to the controls. Perfect tension on the net must be maintained for optimal artist safety. The nets are set and struck over a dozen times during each performance. Art and Engineering The integration of hydraulics into these productions is a collaborative effort between Cirque du Soleil and specialized engineering firms, such as ours. Atlantic Hydraulic Systems have been instrumental in designing and implementing these complex systems. Our expertise ensures that the hydraulic mechanisms operate smoothly, safely, and in harmony with the artistic vision of the shows to create a seamless blend of technology and performance that continues to awe audiences decades later. As Cirque du Soleil celebrates over 20 years in Las Vegas, the role of hydraulics in its productions remains a cornerstone of its success. Hydraulics systems have not only enhanced the visual spectacle but have set new standards in theatrical engineering. The ongoing collaboration between artists and engineers ensures that each performance pushes the boundaries of what is possible, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and eagerly anticipating the next act. Hydraulics have been, and continue to be, the unsung heroes that elevate these shows from extraordinary to unforgettable. For information: Atlantic Hydraulics Systems Hydraulic Power Units Cirque du Soleil Go here for other stage and theatre articles >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

A ride system that uses a movable arm to physically reposition a ride vehicle while it travels along a track could change how many attractions work in the future. Disney’s Latest Patent is Revolutionizing How Track Rides Operate A ride system that uses a movable arm to physically reposition a ride vehicle while it travels along a track could change how many attractions work in the future. Edited by EE Staff Theme Parks Sep 8, 2026 Just imagine how a ride could allow all its vehicles to be lifted, shifted laterally, or moved away from the ride surface entirely during an attraction. Now imagine this all happening without the vehicle leaving its track. That’s the idea behind Disney’s latest patent recently filed by inventors Derek Lee Howard, Gaku Sato, and Edward Allen Nemeth on behalf of Disney Enterprises, Inc. Images of patent drawings courtesy of Disney. How the system works It all starts with a straightforward approach where the vehicle moves along a track. An arm (called a boom arm) is attached to the vehicle. This boom arm can articulate, extend, and pivot to change where the vehicle sits relative to the track. The arm connects to the chassis that runs along the track. The arm adjusts in real time as the chassis moves, which means that the ride vehicle can be repositioned laterally, vertically, or both directions simultaneously. A balance spring or counterweight system is used to offset the weight of the arm and the vehicle it carries. This reduces the power needed from the actuator that drives the arm’s movement. Images of patent drawings courtesy of Disney. The patent describes several ways this technology could be used to create effects during an attraction, starting with simply lifting the vehicle off the ride surface to simulate jumping or flying. The boom arm can also move the vehicle across the track to avoid or to hit obstacles placed in front of it, adjust height in real time to simulate bumps or terrain changes, and to simulate ramps or sky moguls. Acceleration boosts can also be simulated by rapidly lifting the arm. Patent drawings in the filing show both a boat-style vehicle on a water channel and a land-based vehicle with wheels even though the patent notes that the ride vehicle could be styled as a boat, a car, an airplane, or any other type of vehicle. Images of patent drawings courtesy of Disney. Images of patent drawings courtesy of Disney. Guest Engagement One detail in the patent that stands out is the provision for guest interaction. The steering interface—steering wheel, joystick, or lever—would allow guests control the position of their vehicle during the ride. Guests could steer up, down, left, or right to avoid obstacles or hit targets. The patent specifically mentions this as a way to add a layer of control to the experience. The system also supports multiple ride paths. For example, a first ride path could be located on one side of the track and a second ride path on the other. The boom arm would allow the guest to pivot the vehicle from one path to the other, effectively allowing each guest to choose or be directed between different routes through the attraction. To take this one step further, third and fourth ride paths are also described in the patent, giving the system flexibility to create varied experiences on repeat visits or within a single ride. Images of patent drawings courtesy of Disney. Disney regularly files patents that may or may not be put into a finished attraction. Yet, the level of detail for this patent—covering water rides, land rides, and flying rides—suggests that this is a platform Disney is investing in at a more technical level. The articulating arm concept itselt addresses a realistic limitation in traditional track-based rides. Once a vehicle is locked into a track, its movement is typically fixed. This system breaks that constraint, opening up possibilities for rides that feel more dynamic and responsive. On a final note, this is a patent application, not a granted patent. The technology described may or may not appear in a future Disney attraction. For information: Disney Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

An innovative approach to teaching music brings music education and technology together.  Violins Too Expensive? School Superintendent Turns to 3D Printing An innovative approach to teaching music brings music education and technology together. Joe Gillard Cool Stuff Sep 23, 2025 Here’s a story at the intersection of entertainment and engineering that will tug on your heart strings, so to speak. A school superintendent in Pennsylvania, Laura Jacob, noticed that students from low-income families had difficulty purchasing violins for music, and came up with a solution inspired by something she had heard of an orchestra doing: 3D-printing instruments. In the past five years, Jacob has 3D-printed 200 violins that are free for students in a school where 70% of them are low income. Violins can be very expensive, even relative to other instruments. It can cost hundreds in rental fees for the families of students, if they want their child to have the opportunity to learn violin in school. Jacob started out with two 3D printers. She now says she has 34 of them, and students can learn to use the machines, too. “I’m not a computer scientist or an engineer by any means, but after a variety of failures, I found one that actually printed and it sounded good,” Jacob told CBS News. The violins are made from a template created by a company called Hova Labs. Beyond that, Jacob used real violin strings, a few additional wooden parts, and then added modified guitar pegs. Hova Labs violin template for 3D printers The whole process takes about three days to finish a violin. If the instrument breaks (probably a strong possibility with schoolchildren), they can easily be fixed. As a fun added benefit, the 3D-printed violins can be made in different colors, which might make the instrument more interesting for kids. Prusa 3D Printers The Prusa XL 3D printers are designed for precision. According the company website, “the precision tolerance of a well-assembled Original Prusa printer is 0,1 mm on the Z-axis and 0,3 mm on X and Y.” And the company says that calibrations can be done to further improve the result. “It can be as little as 0,05 mm on all axes, after making additional calibrations such as the Extrusion multiplier calibration and Extruder linearity correction.” Prusa XL 3D printer The magnetic heatbed can hold a two-sided flexible spring-steel sheet, for removal of printed objects from the print surface, according to the product page for the Prusa XL. There are six varieties of sheets for the Prusa XL: smooth, powder-coated textured, PA Nylon, PP, and HighTemp, all of which serve a specific type of 3D-print job. For information: Hova Labs: https://www.hovalabs.com/ Prusa Research https://www.prusa3d.com/ CBS Interview with Laura Jacob: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pennsylvania-school-3d-printers-violins/ Cover photo: u_l5sf233ead , Pixabay Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Masque Sound provides audio for touring production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Custom Audio Packages for Musical Masque Sound provides audio for touring production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Masque Sound Home Stage Events Jun 4, 2025 When Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s enduringly popular musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat embarked on its 2014 U.S. tour Masque Sound supported Co-Sound Designers David Patridge and John Shivers in their quest to bring the contemporary production to the stage. Since Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is scheduled to tour through spring of 2015, Patridge and Shivers wanted to make sure that in designing the sound system it would be capable of easily moving and fitting into a small footprint on the truck. “We wanted to provide the best audio experience that we could, in working within the confines of a traveling production’s space limitations,” says Patridge. With space at a premium, the designers opted to utilize the smaller-footprint Yamaha CL5 Mixing Console, along with a Yamaha CL3 for monitoring, both of which worked quite well for the show. The Yamaha Console was ideal for the production not only for its compactness, as it could be picked up and lifted into position by two people, but also because its comprehensive feature set addressed all of the production crew’s needs. In addition, connecting the console together is a fairly straightforward process and can be done with Cat 5 cabling, which is ideal on a show that needs to move quickly and efficiently. For the PA, Masque Sound provided an L-Acoustics dV-DOSC array, a tried and true speaker design that sounds great. The dV-DOSC line array was integrated into existing speaker towers from Masque Sound’s inventory, which gives the show a PA that is quite spectacular. The flexible system that Masque Sound provided is ample enough to fit, but also compact enough for smaller venues, which was particularly ideal for this production tour, as it features various venues of different sizes. “Fortunately Masque Sound has a very deep shelf of available gear, and we were able to put together an excellent audio package with its equipment that stayed within our budget and did not compromise on the quality of the sound at all,” adds Patridge. “In addition, Masque Sound’s modification of existing inventory speaker towers to fit with the L-Acoustics PA was a large cost savings to us. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a family musical about the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel’s favorite son. Retelling the Biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colors, this musical is full of unforgettable songs including "Those Canaan Days," "Any Dream Will Do," and "Close Every Door." Directed and choreographed by Tony® Award-winner Andy Blankenbuehler, this new production features Broadway stars Diana DeGarmo ( Hairspray, Hair ) as the Narrator and Ace Young ( Grease, Hair ) as Joseph. For more information: Masque Sound Home Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Entertainment Engineering co-founder Terry Persun shares his thoughts on innovation and failure for December 2025's editor's note. Editor's Note: You Can't Have Innovation Without Failure Entertainment Engineering co-founder Terry Persun shares his thoughts on innovation and failure for December 2025's editor's note. Terry Persun Editor's Note Dec 1, 2025 I’ve always been interested in how innovation happens and how problem-solving often leads to success. There has been a lot of research completed about learning from failure in order to eventually turn a creative approach into a success. We all know the stories about Walt Disney (we are still running articles about that company’s innovations), Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, and as far back as Thomas Edison. For all of these people, multiple failures—often significant failures—eventually led to something innovative and successful. By giving your engineers the space to fail, you also allow more space for innovation, which can eventually carry your company to the forefront. In order for a company to be innovative, for a company to branch out and do more with their products and services, even to find new avenues for sales, some measure of failure must happen. But here’s the rub: how do you know when to stop and when to continue forward? How do you know when it’s just not the right time for the idea, or the move into a new market, or the acceptance for a new approach? You don’t. But at the same time, if you never break out from the crowd, you will never be able to offer something innovative or unique. Sometimes a result may even look like a failure at first but with some consistency will turn into a success. It’s a fact that people generally like to live in some amount of equilibrium, where change is minimal. This means that new ideas can be shut down before they get the chance to take off. But an engineer can't innovate without the freedom to experiment and—yes—fail; by giving your engineers the space to fail, you also allow more space for innovation, which can eventually carry your company to the forefront of your industry, rather than trailing behind or being average. If you’re an engineering manager, this means that you must protect your engineering staff. To be innovative, you have to present a safe and psychologically secure environment for them to try new approaches. Then you have to help your team learn from their failures while providing a positive memory of the experience—which makes them even more able to innovate further. Today, the most successful endeavors are a result of past failures, where the people and company learned from mistakes in order to clear a better path forward. Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Here’s how a major pool and spa equipment manufacturer ensured its products met the highest standards of quality and reliability. Smart Pool Technology Needs to Be Reliable — This Software Helps Make That Happen Here’s how a major pool and spa equipment manufacturer ensured its products met the highest standards of quality and reliability. Edited by EE Staff Cool Stuff Aug 18, 2026 A global manufacturer providing smart, sustainable water solutions needed to ensure its products performed reliably under a wide variety of operating conditions. The company offers various products from pumps and filters to automation systems and lighting for a wide range of products in the pool and spa industry. Continuous improvement and innovation are critical to maintain company standards. The complexity of modern pool equipment, which often integrates sophisticated electronics as well as mechanical components, presents a significant reliability challenge. Pool and spa products are continually exposed to harsh environments including constant exposure to water, chemicals, and extreme temperatures. These factors lead to a variety of failure modes, which, if not addressed early, during the design and development cycles can result in costly warranty claims, damage to the brand's reputation, and decreased customer satisfaction. The company was challenged to create a standardized approach to bringing innovative products to market quickly while ensuring that they meet the highest standards of reliability and durability. Comprehensive Reliability Engineering HBK’s ReliaSoft software suite was able to address the reliability and durability challenges of the company. The overall approach was multi-faceted and leveraged the unique capabilities of XFMEA, Weibull++, and the Accelerated Life Testing module. RealiaSoft XFMEA allowed design and engineering teams to proactively identify failure modes in new product designs well before the products were built. The process involved a systematic analysis of the design to determine how it might fail and what the effects of that failure would be. By identifying high-risk items early in the design process, the team implemented mitigation strategies to improve the product's reliability and safety. In addition, Weibull++ allowed engineers to analyze life data from testing as well as from field units to understand the reliability characteristics of products. The team could then analyze the data to determine a product’s life expectancy, failure rate, and other key reliability metrics. This made it easy to forecast warranty returns, plan for maintenance, and make data-driven decisions about design improvements. During Accelerated Life Testing, the team was able to simulate a product’s entire life cycle in a fraction of time. By subjecting components to higher stress levels (e.g., temperature, humidity, vibration), the software extrapolated the results to normal operating conditions, providing rapid feedback on the product's long-term reliability. This allowed for faster product development cycles without compromising on reliability. The integration of HBK's ReliaSoft software into the customer’s product development process had a significant and lasting impact including improved product reliability, reduced time to market, lower warranty costs, and enhanced brand reputation. Beyond Pools and Spas For a company operating in the competitive pool equipment market, product reliability was not just a goal, but a necessity. This same requirement appears in a wide range of consumer and business goods. Implementing a reliability engineering program that ensures products meet the highest standards of quality and reliability can be used widely. The win-win is that customers get long-lasting products while the company benefits from reduced costs, faster innovation, and a stronger brand. *Images courtesy of HBK and Depositphotos.com . For information: HBK ReliaSoft Product Suites Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next