Move over, Tink: Disney will send robot stunt doubles flying into parks

Even in The Happiest Place on Earth, robots are stealing our jobs.

Disney's new "Stuntronics" – robotic aerial stunt performers – are capable of flying through the air, performing acrobatic tricks and striking snap-worthy poses, all while adjusting their trajectory to stick calculated landings. Don't believe me? Check the tape.

A recent interview with TechCrunch revealed just how far the project, which is currently in development at Disney's Imagineering labs, has progressed—and how far its lead creators hope it can go.

Most park visitors are accustomed to the charming but often underwhelming static performances of their favorite animatronic characters. The Imagineers behind Stuntronics are aiming for more. According to Tony Dohi, a lead Stuntronics scientist, these new bots should bring more of the action we see on screen to the park and end the "disconnect" experienced by many visitors. No more standing around, Mr. Lightyear.

Although we won't be seeing this technology in action soon, the speed at which the Imagineers are advancing through iterations is very promising. If they can get these bots looking more human (and I'm nearly certain they can), this could mean some major changes for our favorite Disney attractions.

For starters, it could end the notoriously dangerous Indiana Jones stunt show and change the Happily Ever After fireworks spectacular to incorporate an animatronic Tink (not her stuntwoman counterpart). And imagine eating at Animal Kingdom's Rainforest Cafe with robochimps swinging and flipping overhead. Sure beats an aquarium.

Revamping classic attractions will be just the tip of the iceberg. Disney's growing empire now encompasses all things Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. Heck, they even tried to buy Titanic. (I'm not saying we're getting a Billy Zane stunt spectacular, but a girl can dream.)

With a mammoth vault of timeless stories and characters to choose from, Disney is sure to make the most out of this magical advancement in animatronic ability and roll out tons of brand new attractions. For good or bad, Stuntronics will change everything we know about the Disney experience.