Submerged animatronics have taken the world by storm since they first appeared.
From Bruce in Jaws to the iconic sea serpents from Disney parks, we have been obsessed with
these animatronics in every possible media and experience there is.
But how do they work?
How do they swim without sinking, and why don't they electrocute the water or harm people
that go near them?
Today we'll dive into the science and usage of submerged animatronics.
And also explain the fascination and fear they bring to people with submechanophobia.
What are submerged animatronics?
By submerged animatronics, we're talking about any animatronic in contact with water, whether
partly submerged or completely underwater.
These animatronics are created using a combination of programmed behavior, artificial intelligence,
and sometimes even live puppeteering.
They can make any type of fantastic experience that the creator wants.
From a huge crocodile that attacks anyone who goes near it to a terrifying ghost that
pops out of a fountain as you go near it.
Submerged animatronics come in every shape and size.
They can be made to represent real animals like dolphins or sharks, or they can also
be made to represent a fantastic creature that we've never seen before, like a sea serpent
or a human-eating fish.
Each animatronic is equipped with high-tech equipment and is designed to move and act
just like its real-life counterpart or what we would imagine that its real-life counterpart
would move like.
Also, the technology behind these animatronics is constantly evolving, allowing for even
more lifelike and interactive experiences for audiences.
Lately, the rise of submechanophobia, the fear of machines and robots, has made the
use of these animatronics become a very popular topic.
And that's one of the main reasons why the popularity and success of these animatronics
continues to grow.
After all, they offer a unique and exciting way for people to experience new and fantastic
experiences that otherwise would not be possible.
Of course, many of you already know what submerged animatronics ARE, but have you ever wondered
how these animatronics work and move underwater without sinking or malfunctioning?
The Science Behind Underwater Animatronics
The secret lies in the advanced technology that goes into the design and engineering
of each animatronic.
Of course, each animatronic is different.
Some need to float; others need to stay at the bottom of the body of water where they
are, and others need to do both.
But what they all have in common is the need to be protected from water damage.
So, one of the key challenges in some of these animatronics is ensuring that they are buoyant
enough to float and move freely in the water.
To achieve this, the animatronics are designed with a combination of lightweight materials
and air-filled chambers that help them maintain their buoyancy.
But as we said, the main challenge is ensuring the safety of both the animatronics and their
human audience.
To prevent electrical shock or damage to the animatronics, they are designed with waterproofing
and insulation materials that protect the electronics and motors.
They are also powered by low-voltage electricity and are often connected to a ground fault
circuit interrupter designed to detect any electrical current leakage and immediately
cut off power to the animatronic.
Additionally, the water used in exhibits is regularly treated with special chemicals to
prevent any electrical conductivity and monitored to ensure that it remains safe for the animatronics
and their human audience.
Additionally, the water used in exhibits is regularly treated and monitored to ensure
that it remains safe for both the animatronics and their human audience.
The rest is created the same as how someone would make any animatronic.
As we said before, the intricate movements of the animatronics are achieved through a
combination of live puppeteering for some, programmed behavior, and artificial intelligence
for others.
Operators use remote controls to manipulate the animatronics' movements in real-time,
while the animatronics are also programmed with a range of pre-determined behaviors and
responses.
The result of all this combined work is amazing.
The advanced technology and expertise that goes into bringing these creatures to life
make it a truly unique and unforgettable experience.
But what are these experiences that submerged animatronics can bring us?
Let's take a look at some examples.
If you're here, you probably love submerged animatronics, so subscribe to our channel
and take a look at our submechanophobia playlist!
The Usages of Underwater Animatronics
Underwater animatronics have a wide range of uses, from entertainment and education
to conservation and research.
Let's take a look at some of the examples:
Education, Conservation, and Research
The first animatronic we'll discuss is this dolphin created by Edge Innovations.
This jaw-dropping animatronic dolphin has the potential to upend the cruel captive marine
mammal industry by allowing people to experience swimming with a dolphin without harming a
real one.
These kids were able to learn more about intelligent dolphins, and no real dolphins had to be confined
to a barren concrete tank.
This is a great way to use animatronics to educate people about these animals without
harming them.
For research, we can't forget this fantastic animatronic hippo created by John Downer Productions
to be used in the BBC and PBS series Spy in the Wild.
The animatronic was used to get an inside look at the life of a wild hippo pod, and
the footage is incredible.
It was able to capture how the giant animals maintain a symbiotic relationship with tiny
barbel fish who clean their skin, wounds, and teeth.
As a result, the fish get fed, and the hippo remains infection-free.
Without this animatronic, it would have been nearly impossible to learn about this because
Hippos are considered one of the most dangerous animals, and we rarely get to see them up
close in the wild.
As for conservation, we must mention this great white shark animatronic created for
the Shark HQ exhibit in the Sydney Harbor Aquarium.
While this animatronic is not underwater or even in contact with water, it is awe-inspiring
to see it in action.
Now, this is where the fun begins.
Using these types of animatronics for entertainment gives their creators all types of creative
liberties to make creatures as cute, realistic, or terrifying as they want.
Entertainment: Film and Documentary
Let's start with the one that began it all: Bruce.
This animatronic completely changed the film and the special effects industry.
But unfortunately, while these animatronics were technological marvels of their time,
they were a headache for the film's production.
Three full-size pneumatically-powered units were constructed.
They each measured about 25 feet long and weighed hundreds of pounds.
One shark, known as a sea-sled, was a full-bodied prop with its stomach carved out.
The other two, known as platform sharks, were each one-sided.
One platform shark moved from camera left to -right with the side facing away from the
camera completely exposed, and the other moved in the opposite direction.
They were an amazing sight, but there are other reports that the sharks would sometimes
slip off the platform and get tangled in a bed of seaweed.
At other times, the pneumatic hoses that controlled the sharks' movement took on saltwater, the
foam used as the skin on the sharks became bloated, and parts even corroded.
Not only that, but the shark even sank once when it was placed in the sea, and divers
had to go and fish it out.
Still, after all of these challenges, Bruce was a marvel, and it paved the way for new
and fantastic animatronics that would be created for films.
Stan Winston Studios animatronics are another example of this, especially with the Lake
Placid Crocodile Animatronic.
The crocodile was mechanized through hydraulics, which, as learned in previous projects, worked
well in a water environment as long as they were protected in waterproof housings and
surrounded by water-resistant skin.
Just check out the crew testing it at Castaic Lake in Los Angeles National Forest; what
a terrifying sight.
And, of course, you have Edge Innovations, who have created some of the best underwater
animatronics, like the dolphin we talked about before.
They are a design and engineering company Founded by Walt Conti that strongly focuses
on creating realistic, lifelike creatures for various industries, including film, television,
and theme parks.
They've created animatronics like this lifelike and fully articulated animatronic orca for
Free Willy, the highly realistic animatronic snake used in various scenes, both on land
and in water for Anaconda and, of course, the realistic and terrifying sharks for Deep
Blue Sea.
For documentary examples, we can't forget the Loch Ness Monster: The Ultimate Experiment
documentary, where Channel 5 spent over 100,000 pounds to create a 440-pound plesiosaur animatronic
named Lucy.
This animatronic was made for swimming in the dark waters of Loch Ness and surprise
tourists to get their reactions on tape.
And then, our favorite type of underwater animatronics…
Theme Parks and Attractions
Don't get us wrong; we love to find out and know more about the animatronics and practical
effects used for films.
But, at least for us, theme park animatronics are even better because you can experience
them firsthand.
You get to be there and see them in action, up close and personal, which is something
that you can't experience with animatronics in movies.
Who among us wouldn't love to see the animatronic Sea Serpent from Submarine Voyage back in
action once more?
And if you've been watching our videos for a while, you might know that Disney parks
are full of submechanophobia-inducing attractions.
The Jungle Cruise is one of the more popular ones having crocodiles, hippos, and elephants
submerged in muddy waters.
The retired Maelstrom Nokken is another perfect example.
This submerged creature could be found in front of the boat.
This particular Nokken was huge, and what made it more terrifying were its enormous
eyes that appeared to be watching us and blinking underwater.
Or the Anglerfish from Nemo Submarine Voyage.
Universal Studios parks also have their share of underwater animatronics, the most famous
one being Bruce from the Hollywood Studio Tour and the Jaws ride.
And surprisingly, this last one was as troublesome to create as the ones from the film.
When the ride opened, it was not working perfectly.
Having almost daily ride evacuations until Universal realized that the problems were
so severe that there were no quick fixes for it, and less than three months after the park's
opening, Jaws was closed completely to undergo a significant overhaul.
They brought in many companies like the Totally Fun Company and Oceaneering International,
so they could completely redesign the ride from scratch.
While the ride closed in Hollywood and Orlando, it lives on in Japan.
There's also the famous Parasaur that pops out from underwater to splash water at riders
in Jurassic Park and Jurassic World The Ride!
But Disney and Universal are not the only parks where we can find fantastic and terrifying
submerged animatronics.
For example, in Gardaland, one of Italy's most iconic theme parks, we can see the Sea
Monster of the I Corsari ride.
Although this ride has many scary animatronics of supernatural creatures, the sea monster
or the pirate ghost is the main attraction.
It is terrifying to see this animatronic rising out of the water.
Next, we go over to Efteling and into the Fairytale forest, where we find Pinocchio.
One of the scenes depicted in the forest is when Monstro swallows Geppeto and Pinocchio.
The animal appears to be a cross between a warty whale and a deep-sea angler, with luminous
tentacles and a mouth full of teeth.
This huge animal is half-submerged, and it has an interactive feature.
Visitors can use a rod with a feather to tickle the monster awake.
The animal wakes up whenever someone turns the rod's reel, opening its eyes and mouth.
At the back of its throat, we see Pinocchio and Geppetto.
The fish's mouth closes and opens again a little later.
This time Pinocchio is much more visible in the front of the mouth; Geppetto is still
behind the table.
Pinocchio tries to get out of the fish and calls for help.
This is a very cool sight, but it is also a bit scary if you think about it.
There's also the Kyoto Studio Park in Japan, where a small pond has something lurking in
the water.
This mysterious creature is a Water Dragon.
This aquatic animatronic emerges from the depths, blowing smoke through its nostrils.
There are also several attractions outside of parks where we can find these types of
animatronics.
For example, in the town of Fukusaki in Japan, you can find the Kappa, a group of supernatural
monsters that dwell in the water, waiting and watching for the perfect moment to jump
out and scare you.
The kappas surface only once every thirty minutes, for a few seconds at a time.
And let's not forget this terrifying promotional installation at the Bryant Park Fountain in
New York City, where the lady of the lake from Bly Manor was seen lurking around in
the fountain, waiting for its perfect victim.
But our favorite case has to be Bert, Bertha, and the Baby Bunyip in Murray Bridge, Australia.
Bert came first in 1972 when people could pay 20 cents to see him emerge from his cave.
In 1982 Bert was turned into Bertha and given a little baby until 2000, when they were vandalized.
Bertha came back, but the baby was gone forever.
In October of 2017, During this time, there was an oil leak in the bunyip's cave which
turned this animatronic into its most terrifying version.
It emerged from the water, completely dark and covered in oil.
This leak damaged most of the animatronic's mechanisms, and the smell was terrible.
In 2019 the bunyip was completely renovated.
With its return, the bunyip's show is now completely free, and the Murray Bridge Bunyip
can be found lurking in his cave today on the banks of the Murray River at Sturt Reserve
Murray Bridge.
We can all agree that these animatronics are very impressive, so what makes them so terrifying
for people?
The Fear Factor: Submechanophobia and Underwater Animatronics
While underwater animatronics have captured the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide,
they have also given light to a new phobia: Submechanophobia.
Submechanophobia is the fear or discomfort associated with partially or entirely submerged
human-made objects, such as ships, statues, mechanical structures, or animatronics.
This fear can be triggered by the appearance, size, and perceived danger of the submerged
object, as well as the unknown environment and potential risks associated with it.
The exact causes of submechanophobia are not fully understood, but it is believed to be
related to a combination of psychological, environmental, and evolutionary factors.
One theory is that submechanophobia may be rooted in our innate fear of the unknown and
our natural instinct to avoid potential threats or dangers.
As a result, submerged objects can appear ominous and foreboding, triggering our fight
or flight response and making us feel anxious or fearful.
Additionally, it may be influenced by past traumatic experiences, such as a near-drowning
or a scary encounter with a submerged object.
These experiences can create a lasting negative association with submerged objects, leading
to a phobic response in the future.
Environmental factors, such as exposure to media that portrays submerged objects as threatening
or dangerous, may also contribute to the development of submechanophobia.
This fear has become a phenomenon in recent years, with some people experiencing a deep-seated
fear of these objects, especially animatronics.
One of the main things that cause fear regarding all of this is when these animatronics are
not only submerged but also abandoned.
The best example of this is probably the sea serpent in the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
attraction at Disney World, which remained abandoned underwater for ten years before
it was taken down.
Another more recent example is the shark in the Hollywood Tour attraction in Phantasialand.
The ride was exciting, but it wasn't without its terrifying moments.
The first of them was a cave where the boat sank in water for a few meters, and suddenly
a shark emerged from the water and attacked the boat.The ride was last open on 21 June
2020 and had to be closed reportedly due to suffering from water damage to technical equipment.
But it sadly never reopened.
It has now been announced that it is officially closed, and the animatronics stayed there
for a long while abandoned in the water.
We love to be scared by these animatronics, and there's a whole community of people out
there dedicated to finding the next submechanophobia-inducing nightmare.
The Submerged Animatronic Community
Deep below the surface of the internet, there's a hidden world of submerged animatronic creatures.
And there's a community on Reddit that's devoted to exploring their mysteries and stories.
The Submerged Animatronic community is filled with people who share a genuine love for submerged
animatronics and a desire to uncover their stories and unravel their mysteries.
They come from all walks of life, but they're united by a passion for these waterlogged
robots.
One of the moderators of this community is Gabrielle.
She's a 29-year-old accountant from the southern United States who's passionate about crochet,
books, and artificial intelligence.
But her obsession with submerged animatronics started when she stumbled upon the subreddit
one day.
Gabrielle finds these creatures fascinating, though some of them give her goosebumps.
It's not hard to see why.
The creatures that lurk beneath the ocean's surface are eerie yet beautiful.
Some are long abandoned and forgotten, while others are still in use, entertaining people
everywhere.
Gabrielle was so kind to give us an insight into this community.
She spoke about the mysteries surrounding these creatures and the community's remarkable
ability to solve animatronic mysteries.
They've uncovered the stories behind creatures like the Excalibur Dragon that we have a full
video about, and also the Moby Dick Whale, and they're always on the lookout for new
ones to solve.
One thing Gabrielle never anticipated when becoming a moderator in this community is
that it has become a major internet resource for submerged animatronics.
If you're googling a submerged animatronic, the subreddit often comes up high in the results.
This is a testament to the community members' knowledge, passion, and thorough work gathering
scattered information about these waterlogged robots.
We love this community and the passion they have for submerged animatronics.
And if you love submechanophobia, we definitely suggest you check out this fantastic subreddit
and discover the beautiful and eerie world of these submerged animatronics!
And while you're at it, feel free to check out our subreddit as well.
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