 Launch
of Animatronics
Students at the University
of Bradford and Bradford College could soon be the first in Europe to
bring prehistoric creatures back to life with the launch of a new BSc
(Hons) in Animatronics.
Animatronics is the conceptualisation
and creation of robotic structures and models. The most well-known of
these are the prehistoric animals depicted in motion pictures such Jurassic
Park. In such movies, where a part of the creature is required to act
with a member of the cast in close-up, an animatronic model is generally
used.
The use of such models is increasing
in the film and video industries. However, they can also be found in public
museums, street parades and are increasingly common in shopping malls,
where probably the most famous of which are displayed in Caesar's Palace
Hotel shopping mall in Las Vegas.
The work involves a combination
of robotics, computing, electronics, art and design, and systems control
theory applied to models. The course brings together the expertise in
all of these areas from the Departments
of Cybernetics and Electronic
Imaging and Media Communications at the University of Bradford and
the Departments of Art & Design, and Computing and Engineering at Bradford
College.
The University's Head of Cybernetics,
Internet and Virtual Systems Dr John Baruch said: "There are few degree
programmes in Animatronics worldwide, none of which are in Europe. Feedback
from companies in the UK which produce animatronic creations have revealed
that there would be a strong demand for animatronic graduates. Initial
surveys conducted during school-talk visits also indicate that many pupils
find the opportunity to undertake such a course exciting."
The course has six major elements:
Robotics, Computing, Mechanics, Electronics, Fabrication and Art & Design.
Modules include electromechanics, robotics, life casting & moulding, biologically
inspired computing, creature design & fabrication, application of pneumatics
& hydraulics, advanced mouldmaking, computer animation, and video production.
For further information logon
to www.cyber.brad.ac.uk/ or
contact Claire Chamley on (01274) (23)4028 or email claire@cyber.brad.ac.uk
6 May
2003
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