To own a pet dragon that flies you to school

Entertainment Robotics

You’ve chosen to imagine owning a robotic pet dragon that can fly you to school. You might want to learn more about entertainment robotics, which makes machines move and act like amazing creatures. Just make sure your robot dragon’s fire-breathing feature doesn’t malfunction!

Fun Facts:

Leonardo da Vinci designed mechanical lions for royal celebrations in the early 1500s. One reportedly walked several steps and opened its chest to reveal flowers.
Universal Orlando has a giant dragon above Gringotts Bank that blasts real fire.
The Lost World of Dragons traveling exhibit uses seven fully robotic dragons that move and make sounds.

Entertainment Robotics

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This scenario explores entertainment robotics: machines built to amaze us. These robots can move and act like imaginary creatures. Theme parks already use robots to bring story characters to life. New robots can walk, balance, talk, and react to people. Someday, these machines could make a pet dragon seem almost real. Just make sure your robot dragon’s fire-breathing feature doesn’t malfunction!

Fun Facts:

People have built moving mechanical creatures for centuries. Around 1509, Leonardo da Vinci reportedly made a mechanical lion that walked and opened its chest.
An ancient Greek invention from the 200s BCE featured a mechanical dragon that appeared to drink water and roar.
The giant dragon above Gringotts Bank at Universal Orlando can breathe real fire.
Universal's Isle of Berk opened in 2025 with dragons throughout its make-believe Viking world.
Disney Imagineering recently created a robotic Olaf that can walk, move his face, and talk with guests. Robots like this show how imaginary characters can become moving performers.

Discussion Question:

If we could build robot versions of imaginary animals, how should we make sure everyone around them feels safe?

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Physical Build:

Build your own moving dragon puppet using cardboard, paper, string, tape, and craft sticks. Design wings, a tail, or a mouth that moves when you pull a string. Test different designs and see which movements make your dragon seem most alive.

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Digital Build:

With an adult, ask ChatGPT:

“Invent a friendly robot dragon designed to carry kids safely through the sky.”

Then draw or build your favorite design, adding features that help your dragon fly, land, and keep its rider safe.

or a pet unicorn that you can ride like a horse?

Pet Unicorn

Quadruped Robots

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You’ve chosen to imagine riding your very own robotic unicorn like a horse. You might want to learn more about quadruped robots, or four-legged machines designed to walk and balance like animals. Just make sure your robot unicorn knows the difference between “walk” and “gallop!”

Fun Facts:

Around 1760, craftspeople made a wind-up machine with four mechanical horses that moved a tiny chariot.
Unitree's four-legged robot dogs have danced at major events and even carried sports equipment at the Asian Games.
Kawasaki is developing CORLEO, a four-legged machine designed for people to ride using body movements like horseback riding.

Quadruped Robots

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This scenario explores quadruped robots, or four-legged robots inspired by animal movement. Their moving legs can help them balance and travel across terrain that may be difficult for wheeled machines. Some are built for work, while others are made for play. Kawasaki is currently developing CORLEO, a four-legged vehicle that a person could someday ride. Add a horn, and a future machine might become a mechanical unicorn. Just make sure your robot unicorn knows the difference between “walk” and “gallop!”

Fun Facts:

In the 1700s, craftspeople built wind-up mechanical animals for entertainment. One surviving machine at The Met has four horses that bob as they pull a tiny chariot.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is experimenting with a four-legged robot called NeBula-SPOT. One possible future job is exploring caves on the Moon or Mars where astronauts might someday find shelter.
Unitree's robot dogs have become performers. In 2022, dozens of them appeared together for a Winter Olympics celebration.
Kawasaki's CORLEO machine has four robotic legs instead of wheels. A rider controls it by shifting their weight, much like riding a horse.
Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences built a four-legged robot called FROG while exploring technology for a robotic triceratops that could someday appear in dinosaur museums or exhibitions.

Discussion Question:

If robot animals became something we could ride and play with, what should designers do to keep people and real animals safe?

LISTEN

Physical Build:

Create your own robot unicorn using cardboard, paper tubes, foil, tape, and craft materials. Give it four movable legs and invent a way for them to bend. Test your design, then change the legs until your unicorn can stand steadily.

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Digital Build:

With an adult, ask ChatGPT:

“Design a four-legged robot unicorn that a kid could safely ride.”

Then draw or build your design, adding a saddle, robotic legs, and your own ideas for how it walks, turns, and stops.