Muppet Mobile Lab makes debut at Epcot

Disney's Mobile Muppet Lab, part of Disney's "Living Character Initiative," has made its way to Epcot. The roaming rocketship lab features the Muppets' Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his faithful assistant Beaker, both of whom interact with guests without the need for tethered wires, or an obvious

Cast Member to remote control the unit. Having seen it in person, I can vouch for its effectiveness. The show is part of a play test that Walt Disney Imagineering is running at Epcot for the next few weeks, giving the research and development staff a chance to try out more advanced robotic, interactive and transportation technologies, mixed with human comedy talent. It uses a mix of remote control and two-way communication technology to provide seamless, life-like interactions with the characters. "I wish they would do more of it with various characters," said Emily Evans, a human resource recruiter from Chicago. "I would say keep going with the technology. It's amazing, and obviously it's a crowd pleaser as well." Below is a picture of Beaker from the Mobile Muppet Lab taken during its stay at Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim, CA.