At NVIDIA’s GTC 2025, CEO Jensen Huang took the stage to introduce Blue, an advanced AI-powered robot created in partnership with Disney Research and Google DeepMind. The brief but impactful demonstration showed the next evolution of AI-driven robotics, but Disney fans may recognize the technology from another recent development—the BDX Box Droids in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Disney has already showcased Box Droids at Disneyland, but these were remote-controlled rather than fully autonomous. What Jensen Huang demonstrated at GTC 2025 was the AI-powered future of robotic characters, a glimpse into how machine learning and real-time interaction could take Disney’s themed experiences to the next level.
Disney’s BDX Box Droids: The First Step Toward AI Robotics in the Parks
The BDX droids were first introduced in October 2023, when Disney Imagineers conducted a live play test at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland. Three “droids-in-training” roamed freely, showing off advanced mobility, the ability to handle uneven terrain, and even dance without losing balance.
These droids were developed by Disney Research and Walt Disney Imagineering R&D, designed to simulate interactive mechanical characters that engage with park guests. However, at that time, the BDX droids were entirely remote-controlled—not autonomous. It wasn’t until April 5, 2024, that Disney confirmed the Box Droids would appear as a limited-time feature during Disneyland’s Season of the Force event.
While impressive, the BDX droids still required human operators. This is where NVIDIA’s AI breakthroughs come into play.
Jensen Huang’s Blue: The AI-Powered Evolution of Box Droids
At GTC 2025, Jensen Huang introduced Blue, an AI-powered robot developed with Disney Research and Google DeepMind. Unlike the remote-controlled BDX droids, Blue utilizes Newton, an open-source physics engine that enables real-time AI learning. This allows robots to process complex environments and respond dynamically—no human control required.
With Disney already testing autonomous robots in the parks, the introduction of AI-driven robotics like Blue suggests that Box Droids could soon become fully interactive without manual operation. Instead of being controlled by a nearby human operator, future droids in Galaxy’s Edge could actually learn and react to guests in real-time, creating unique interactions for each visitor.
If Blue’s AI capabilities are integrated into Box Droids, we could see self-learning droids roaming Black Spire Outpost that:
- Recognize guest behaviors and respond dynamically
- Adjust movement based on terrain without assistance
- Engage in unscripted interactions, learning over time
The possibilities are endless, and GTC 2025 gave us the first look at what’s next.
The Future of AI Robotics in Disney Parks
Jensen Huang’s demonstration of Blue is more than just a tech showcase. It’s a sign of what’s coming next for Disney Parks. With NVIDIA’s AI, Disney Research, and Imagineering’s ongoing robotics projects. It’s no longer a question of if autonomous droids will roam Galaxy’s Edge, but when. I for one can still remember the R2D2 in the original galaxy’s edge concept art, an additional to the ideas that never happened list.
While Disneyland’s Box Droids remain limited-time features, operated via remote control. Blue and NVIDIA’s AI breakthroughs suggest that the next generation of robotic characters in Disney Parks will be fully autonomous. With Disney already committed to pushing the boundaries of interactive experiences. AI-powered Box Droids could become a permanent reality sooner than expected.
The advancements revealed at GTC 2025 may have focused on NVIDIA’s vision for robotics and machine learning, but for Disney fans, it also offered a glimpse into the future of theme park storytelling. A future where droids think, learn, and interact without a remote control operator.
Watch Jensen Huang Introduce Blue at GTC 2025
Captured live at GTC 2025, this video shows Jensen Huang introducing Blue, the AI-powered robot developed by NVIDIA, Disney Research, and Google DeepMind. While Disney’s Box Droids have been remote-controlled, Blue represents the next step toward AI-powered droids in Disneyland and beyond.
