Character has been the most important element of this initiative from the get go. No matter how impressive and complicated the technology becomes, if an engaging personality has not been created then you don't have an audience. With this in mind, we wish to keep our creation in character by hiding all the technology involved. Allow us to introduce you to the imminent Austrian inventor, "Doc" Beardsley:
All of the images seen here are concept art and inspiration for the character and the property of the Interactive Animatronics team. They may not be reused without written consent.
Horatio "Doc" Beardsley (190? - any minute now) was born on a small mountaintop in Austria and raised by a loving family of goat herders. As a child, his favorite memories were of his days at winter camp and playing with his hamster Slippy. He never had a mother, they were too poor, but he does claim to have a sister named Ethel.
Early concept art of Horatio "Doc" Beardsley.
It didn't take long for Doc to begin his long and illustrious career of inventing. His love for inventions began when he was making the move from diapers to slacks, but you should probably ask him about that yourself. Some of his more popular inventions include "endless bread", the "milkbed", the "antisnooze", and the wall, of course. But his all-time favorite and best invention would have to be the foon!
Doc shown here in his speedy Crazyboy electronic recliner.
Despite the enormous creativity behind these inventions, they are not all that successful. Many critics claim that Doc's inventions are simply misused or not applied for the proper purposes. Others have said Doc and his infatuation with goats is cause for alarm and warrants serious federal investigation. He responds to such critics with a wry smile and a gentle wink, and then promptly falls asleep.
Notice his helmet, the time and spatial discombobulator!
Considering how Doc is ninety...something, he doesn't exactly have the best memory and has been known to demonstrate signs of senility. Having to endure decades of hard times and misunderstood inventions does take its toll. Yet despite it all, he is an extremely fun-loving and whimsical inventor. Always engaging and seldom serious, Doc has a true heart of gold deep down (or atleast the inventive power to make his own).
Doc giving lecture on yak milking (done properly, with all the right oils and everything).
The choice to make Doc an old and "not-quite-all-there" inventor was by no means accidental. This persona not only allows for a plethora or random comedic bit's, but also comes in handy for when he doesn't understand a question. Doc has numerous vague, generic, and random replies to use when he doesn't have a good answer. These responses help keep the flow of the interaction intact while still remaining within his character.
Doc enjoys long walks on the beach, quiet candle-lit dinners, and a good schnitzel with noodles...(sorry, he told me to write that in, something about "keeping his options open")
Character
The Interactive Animatronics Initiative (IAI) is a joint initiative between the Field Robotics Center (FRC) and the Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU).
Carnegie Mellon University, Entertainment Technology Center (c) 2001