Disney is taking robotic characters to the next level, and Nvidia and Google DeepMind are helping to make it happen. At GTC 2025, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced a new collaboration. Together, these companies are developing Newton, a physics engine that makes robots move more naturally.
Newton will power Disney’s next-generation entertainment robots. One example is the Star Wars-inspired BDX droids. These robots have been in limited demos, but soon, they will be part of the Disney park experience.
What Makes Newton So Special?
Newton creates realistic robotic movements by simulating real-world environments. Nvidia says it will make robots more expressive and precise. That means Disney’s robotic characters will interact with guests in a more lifelike way.
Newton’s Key Features:
- Highly customizable: It can simulate soft materials like cloth, sand, and food.
- Precision movement: Robots can handle complex tasks more effectively.
- Seamless integration: It works with Google DeepMind’s MuJoCo for multi-joint movements.
A Longtime Disney Dream Is Becoming Reality
For years, Disney Imagineering has explored lifelike robots for theme parks. However, technology has limited their ability to deploy them on a large scale. Controlled demos at events like SXSW 2025 showed promise, but the robots weren’t ready for prime time.
But that’s changing now. Disney plans to roll out these robots in selected parks starting in 2026. And thanks to Newton, this dream is finally coming true.
Newton’s Impact Beyond Theme Parks
Nvidia says the physics engine has many other potential uses. Industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and research stand to benefit from Newton.
Also read: The Future of AI in Healthcare
Possible Future Applications:
- Healthcare: To improve robotic surgery precision.
- Manufacturing: To make assembly lines more efficient.
- Research: Scientists can test robotic movements in simulations.
Nvidia’s Other Big Announcements at GTC 2025
Newton was just one highlight of Nvidia’s keynote. The company also introduced:
- Groot N1: An AI model that improves humanoid robot perception and reasoning.
- Blackwell Ultra and Rubin: The next generation of AI chips.
- Personal AI Computers: A new product line for consumers and businesses.
Does Disney Have a Robotic Future?
Soon, visitors will see Newton-powered robots in Disney parks. Imagine walking through Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and seeing a droid that moves like the real thing. It stops, looks around, and reacts to you just like in the movies.
