Disney hosted the 2026 Disney Accelerator Demo Day on the Walt Disney Studios lot today, and two of the five startups on stage are working on robots for the parks. FieldAI is exploring robots for parking operations, and Physical Intelligence is working with Walt Disney Imagineering on a robot that handles 3D glasses between shows. A third company, Simile, is working with Walt Disney World on how guests plan their visits. Here’s the latest.
Disney Accelerator 2026 Demo Day: Robots, AI Tools, and Guest Planning
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- The robotics work FieldAI and Physical Intelligence are doing with Disney
- How Simile is working with Walt Disney World on guest planning
- What the creative companies and returning 2025 members showed
The Disney Accelerator is a four-month program that pairs startups with teams across the company. This year’s cohort has five companies: Promise, OpenArt, FieldAI, Physical Intelligence, and Simile. Disney says the program is now in its 12th year. The robotics and guest planning projects could affect the parks most directly.
Robots for Parking Lots and Backstage Tasks
FieldAI‘s general-purpose robot intelligence is built to operate safely in environments that keep changing, Disney says. The company is working with Disney Experiences Technology and Walt Disney Imagineering R&D. Together, they are exploring how robots could support parking operations across complex terrain and unpredictable weather. That could improve the work environment and give guests a more consistent experience. Imagineering R&D is also looking at whether FieldAI’s situational awareness and navigation could inform future character-based robotic experiences in the parks. The work is considered exploratory, and not necessarily an announcement of things to come.
Physical Intelligence, which goes by Pi, is working with Imagineering on adaptable robots for repetitive backstage tasks. Disney’s example is handling and arranging 3D glasses for cleaning between shows. Disney says the goal is to give Cast Members more time for guest interactions.
Guest Planning, Creative Tools, and Returning Members
Simile, which Disney calls a consumer intelligence and decision-support company, is working with Disney Experiences and Walt Disney World on insights that could simplify how guests plan a visit. Disney points to product names and descriptions, as well as the broader digital experience, as places where small details shape how guests plan. Simile is collaborating with Walt Disney World to enhance guest insight analysis by integrating advanced analytics and decision-support tools. This partnership aims to improve how data is collected and interpreted, enabling teams to refine concepts and iterate more effectively during the early stages of development.
On the creative side, Promise demonstrated hybrid filmmaking with Walt Disney Studios. A live actor performed in a grey box environment, and an artist then brought that performance into different story environments. OpenArt announced a collaboration with Disney Music Group. Its tools help creative teams explore visual concepts for lyric videos, and Disney says teams can generate and evaluate multiple concepts in hours rather than weeks.
Disney Accelerator General Manager Bonnie Rosen said: “This year’s cohort brought advanced domain expertise, but even more importantly, grounded every conversation with a clear point of view on how these technologies can work responsibly for people.”
Two members of the 2025 cohort also returned. Haddy showed 3D-printed set pieces and prototypes made with Imagineering. They included a replica of a prop canoe currently installed in the Jungle Cruise ride at Disneyland Resort and a King Louie throne currently at Shanghai Disney Resort. The exhibit also had rock facades and themed light fixtures.
Animaj demonstrated FlipMove, its animation workflow, which is now in production on Ozzy Fox, a series it co-developed with Disney Jr. over the past nine months. After the show launched on YouTube, Animaj and Disney Jr. started production on Season 2.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!