VIDEO: “Pandora – The World of AVATAR” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will have living, interactive foliage!

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Navi River Journey

Pandora Ð The World of AVATAR will bring a variety of new experiences to Disney's Animal Kingdom, including a family-friendly attraction called NaÕvi River Journey. The adventure begins as guests set out in canoes and venture down a mysterious, sacred river hidden within the bioluminescent rainforest. The full beauty of Pandora reveals itself as the canoes pass by exotic glowing plants and amazing creatures. The journey culminates in an encounter with a NaÕvi shaman, who has a deep connection to the life force of Pandora and sends positive energy out into the forest through her music. NaÕvi River Journey will open with Pandora Ð The World of AVATAR in 2017. Disney's Animal Kingdom is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Disney)

Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is really coming along.

Between the massive rock structures being constructed and big plans for many different attractions, it seems Imagineer Joe Rohde and his team (in collaboration with James Cameron) are ready to revolutionize the way guests interact with the world around them. So much so, in fact, that even the plants around you will be interactive!

Check out Patent Yogi‘s video with never-before-seen footage of the project:

You see, these living plants are actually Cyborgs — yes, that is the word being used — that have the distinct ability to detect and respond to user interaction. Patent Yogi reports:

A new patent granted to Disney discloses details of the technology behind these cyborg plants. The patent is titled User Interactive Living Organisms. The patent describes capacitive sensing to detect human interaction with living plants. The sensing system connects to the plant via an electrode. The sensing system utilizes the natural conductive paths (such as water-carrying veins) found in an organic plant to transmit an electrical signal to the plant. The sensing system gets activated when a user directly touches the plant or even comes near the plant. In response, an audio-video effect is played.

What does this mean? Basically, when a user touches a plant, the plant will illuminate. Now, if the stem is touched, a stimulated earthquake will be activated. Lastly, if leaves are touched, a cool breeze will be released. The system will also have the ability detect a user near a plant as user approaches a tree, a hidden shower will be activated. And when user touches a leaf, smoke generator will then be activated. Pretty neat, right?

What do all of you think of this new technical innovation being used to bring the world of Avatar to life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park? Let me know in the comments below, and as always, stick with ITM for all things Disney!

in Artwork, Disney, Movies, Movies & TV, Technology, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World

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