In August 2026, 10 people and one guest came to learn about Giant Marionettes and Robotic Animals.
We started by watching Warhorse in action with an audience. It was marvellous to see the choreography of the simulated movement of the horse right down to its twitching ears.
Next we saw a display of giant marionettes built and operated by Royal de Luxe, a French company. This occasion was a complete parade including a child, a diver, a grandmother, two dogs and a traveller winding through the streets of Liverpool.
These 24 feet tall marionettes are operated by large teams of people and are so realistic it is unbelievable. It was wonderful to see a large black dog trying to befriend a marionette dog 5 times his size.
Next we moved on to seeing a giant flame throwing and steam snorting dragon followed by an African elephant marching through the streets.
Not to be outdone, the world of robotic animals was just as fascinating.
We saw a badminton playing robot, robotic sharks and sting rays, a robotic horse riding trainer where everything can be monitored to improve the rider performance, some robotic spiders, insects and fly flies which change colour in flight.
Worms and snake like creatures, flying birds, and a chimp which could perform on two or four legs. There is no barrier to imagination.
The next robotic animal was a Kawasaki hydrogen powered four legged people carrying robot. It could race over rugged ground and up rough hillsides whilst carrying a passenger. Will this replace motor bicycles in future? Who knows?
To finish the days programme we looked at a Chinese robotic four legged animal which has wheels on its feet. The robotic animal can jump and twist in the air, do backflips climb waterfalls and run along water channels. The quadruped can even carry a person at speeds of 30mph!
This talk was an eye opener to most people, as there is so much going on that is not widely reported. We can see some of these breakthroughs will eventually be adopted in tomorrow's world.