How Universal's Robots Push Boundaries of Animatronics
How Universal's Robots Push Boundaries of Animatronics How Universal's Robots Push Boundaries of Animatronics
Click to unmute
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Pause
Skip Backward
Skip Forward
Next playlist item
Unmute
Current Time
3:57
/
Duration
8:54
Loaded :
55.63%
3:57
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
4:57
Share
Fullscreen
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text
Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background
Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background
Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Close Modal Dialog
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
Close Modal Dialog
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
How Universal's Robots Push Boundaries of Animatronics
How Universal's Robots Push Boundaries of Animatronics
May 29, 2025
Tech
Show Transcript
Epic Universe is pushing boundaries of theme parks by launching with several new types of animatronics — many running in the Florida heat. CNET's Bridget Carey explains the tech and talks with the teams involved in bringing the ambitious attractions to life.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNET
11 minutes ago
- CNET
Still Looking for Work? Here Are the New Rules of the Job Search in 2025
The emotional toll of job searching is real. Jeffrey Hazelwood/CNET Since getting laid off from a tech marketing role last November, Stephanie Wandell has applied to hundreds of jobs. She's heard back from only a handful of recruiters, without any offers. "I was a little bit naive going into it, thinking I could do what I always do and depend on applying to as many places as I can," said Wandell. "It became pretty clear that this time is different." Ask anyone who's unemployed and they'll tell you today's job market is more challenging than it used to be. In the past several months, my LinkedIn social feed has been a testament to that. Laid-off professionals share posts about their agonizing battles to find employment, with job searches stretching more than a year. Amid signs of an economic slowdown, companies are pulling back on hiring, leaving job seekers in the lurch. Facing fierce competition for a shrinking pool of open positions, candidates are trying to master new strategies to get past AI screeners into the hands of a human recruiter. Some wait months for a response, only to be ghosted by HR departments. Even if official unemployment figures appear relatively low, millions of Americans are wading through this emotional and financial roller coaster. The health of the job market is measured by people's ability to get a job, said Daniel Zhao, lead economist at the career and job search site Glassdoor. Hearing these experiences, I had a lot of questions. Is the job hunt miserable for everyone? Why are so many qualified and talented workers getting the silent treatment? How are folks using AI in their search? What is HR actually looking for? I spoke with several career specialists to gather the most straightforward advice for helping job seekers on their journey. I also compiled a list of free employment resources and upskilling platforms below. 1. Focus on quality over quantity Sending out hundreds of applications with the same resume might feel like the right approach but it's not the best use of your time. "We find many job seekers in the market haphazardly applying to any and/or all jobs instead of targeting relevant ones," said Chad Sowash of the Chad and Cheese Podcast, which covers recruitment technology, talent management and workforce economics. Instead of spending several hours applying to multiple jobs, use that time to tailor each resume toward the role you really want. Companies are becoming increasingly selective in their hiring practices so job seekers also need to be choosier about where they apply. "Not all positions and hiring companies will be a fit so don't try to be all things to all people," Sowash said. To narrow down your search, think about what you're looking for in terms of work environment and responsibilities, said Sam DeMase, career expert at ZipRecruiter. "Don't just throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks." Identify the value that makes you an exceptional candidate. "If your resume is very generic and doesn't speak to your specific superpowers, you're not going to get as many hits as you would with a hyper-tailored resume," DeMase said. 2. Optimize your resume for automated software When you apply to a job online, your resume likely won't go straight to a recruiter or hiring manager. Nearly all Fortune 500 companies use an applicant tracking system, or ATS, to process applications and dismiss candidates automatically. As my CNET colleague pointed out in a 2023 story on resume robots, the ATS software scans applications for a specific percentage of matching keywords, typically 70% to 80%. If there's not a high match with the posting, your application probably won't make it to the next stage, regardless of your qualifications. To create an ATS-friendly resume, read the job description thoroughly and note particular keywords, phrases or skills. If the requirements accurately align with your qualifications, add them to your resume using the same language. That said, don't go overboard. While keywords are important, stuffing your resume with too many can read as unnatural. Jobscan, Skillsyncer and multiple other online platforms provide free resume scanning tools geared toward optimizing your application for ATS. Zhao said resume keyword optimization isn't about "beating" the computer. It's about making sure recruiters and hiring managers see your skills and experience. Once you have the right balance of keywords, simplify your formatting to make it clean and concise, which helps the ATS and recruiters review your resume. Avoid using fancy headers and footers, graphics or tables, which often get garbled by the computer software. 3. Timing is everything Set up multiple job alerts and be ready to act immediately on the ones that you like the most. DeMase recommends being one of the first people to apply to the job posting so that your resume doesn't get pushed to a later round. "Unfortunately, these jobs are getting posted and have more than 100 applicants within 48 hours or sooner," said Demase. If you have multiple versions of your resume ready, you can adapt quickly. Just because a posting is still up after several weeks doesn't mean the company is still reviewing applications or looking for new candidates. 4. Leverage AI, but don't rely on it In 2024, more than 50% of job seekers used AI to draft resumes and cover letters. While generative AI tools like ChatGPT can speed up the writing process, they tend to produce generic, impersonal content. "One of the issues I see with job seekers who overly rely on AI is that their application ends up looking like everybody else's who is using AI as well," said Zhao. To avoid the same formulaic responses, provide detailed prompts that emphasize the parts of your application that align with the job description and make your background and experience unique. For example, you can ask the chatbot to review your cover letter and suggest ways to make it more compelling based on your abilities and interests. "It's important for people to think about how their resume distinguishes them, how their skill set, even if it's nontraditional, might give them a different perspective than other people in the candidate pool," Zhao said. 5. Network strategically Even in today's digital age, networking remains incredibly powerful for landing a job, especially considering that many roles aren't advertised online but filled through referrals. If you're new to networking, start reaching out to the people around you: family and friends, alumni and former co-workers. Ask them if they know anyone in a career field that interests you or works at a company you're curious about. "Folks can go quiet after a layoff, because there's a deep sense of shame, particularly in our society, where so much of our identity is associated with our work and our productivity," said Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of JVS Bay Area, a workforce development nonprofit. "It's important to fight through that, tap into your network and let people know you're looking." Instead of just requesting a job or connection, actively engage in conversations, ask thoughtful questions, share your own insights and look for ways to offer value, said DeMase. Sending out a handful of personalized emails will get you farther than dozens of generic copy-and-paste notes. 6. Build additional skills Showcasing competitive skills like data analysis, digital collaboration and AI tool expertise is crucial in today's job market. Instead of prioritizing traditional credentials like education, 76% of employers put greater value on actual work experience and demonstrated abilities, even if you're self-taught. "You can make yourself stand out by indicating the different things you've learned on your own and how that could apply to that employer," said Countryman-Quiroz. Free online courses, such as LinkedIn Learning or IBM SkillsBuild, can help you learn valuable skills or even obtain official certification. Local colleges and community centers frequently provide low-cost courses on anything from digital marketing to insurance licensing. If you've been unemployed for a long time, you can use courses and training to fill in the gaps on your resume, which shows that you're proactive and self-directed. 7. Mentally prepare for ghosting For many, the toughest part of job hunting is never hearing back. Getting ghosted by an employer or recruiter can feel incredibly personal but it's not a reflection of your skills or qualifications. Research from LinkedIn found that almost 40% of candidates say they're applying to more jobs than ever but hearing back less. There are countless reasons why HR doesn't follow up: budget cuts, hiring freezes, internal shifts or too many applicants. You might never know the real reason. You can send a polite follow-up email to the hiring manager to demonstrate your continued interest, which may prompt them to respond. But try not to blame yourself or spend too much time dissecting why you didn't hear back. After being ghosted following multiple interviews, Wandell started The Job Ghosting Project, a list of anonymous stories from job seekers who've been ignored by companies. Within a week of posting the survey, Wandell received more than 500 submissions, with responses ranging from recent grads to high-level executives. "The goal is really just to document these patterns, validate the job seekers and push for accountability in the hiring process," said Wandell. 8. Set up thoughtfully for interviews Interview prep goes beyond knowing your resume and the role. You'll need to show why you want this specific job with this specific employer. Start with research. Look at the company's recent news, press releases, social media and reviews. Understand their latest projects, challenges and competition. Use the STAR method. Break down each requirement in the job description and connect it to a specific example from your experience. Practice structuring your answers using the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to demonstrate your impact in a clear and concise way. Practice, practice, practice. Say your interview answers out loud, not just in your head. If possible, do a practice interview with someone you trust and get honest feedback. That can help identify awkward phrasing and make you more confident during the real thing. Prepare questions for the interviewer. Asking thoughtful questions of the hiring team shows your engagement and understanding of the role/company. 9. Make the search sustainable It's common to feel discouraged, stressed and embarrassed when faced with rejection. "The job search is a slog and you have to make sure that you're doing it in a sustainable manner," said Zhao. "You can't just apply to 100 jobs every day because you'll burn yourself out." Set clear boundaries for your job-hunting hours, schedule regular breaks and set up informal meetings to network. Focus on having a support system in place, especially with other people looking for work. Being in a group with people in the same situation can really "diminish the shame that so many feel around not being employed," said Countryman-Quiroz. After joining a job-seeker support group during a previous layoff, Wandell started her own group this past year. It started with five people and it's now grown to 50 to 100 participants. "It's a space for people to vent but also to ask questions, network and brainstorm," said Wandell. Read more: Layoffs Are Happening. How to Prepare if You Think You Might Lose Your Job Free job search platforms and upskilling resources We compiled a list of resources available to help you sharpen your skills and streamline your search. General job boards Industry-specific/niche job boards InHerSight: Organization providing career advice and job matching specifically for women. Jobs in Logistics: Job search site for employment in logistics, supply chain, transportation, inventory management and more. The Mom Project: Resource community geared toward working mothers seeking out family-friendly companies. Recruit Military: A military-to-civilian recruiting company connecting military veterans, transitioning military service members and their spouses with employment opportunities. Remote Jobs: Site curated by remote work specialist Rowena Hennigan, providing resources for remote work openings. SchoolSpring: National job board for teachers and others in education. Superpath: Job board for content strategists, writers and freelance bloggers. Working Nomads: Job search site for global remote work tailored specifically toward digital working nomads. VC Job Boards: Curated list of job boards featuring venture capital positions. Workplace development nonprofits STRIVE: Offers tuition-free skills training, job readiness support and personal coaching for those seeking to improve their career prospects. NPower: Provides part-time tech skills training, including IT, cloud computing and cybersecurity, with opportunities for paid internships. Goodwill: Offers job training and employment services, career development and financial literacy programs, as well as job placement assistance. Year Up: Focuses on helping low-income young adults gain IT and business skills through paid internships and job placement. Upskilling Coursera: Offers courses, certificates, and degrees from top universities and companies, covering subjects like computer science, business and data science. Udemy: A vast online marketplace for courses, with options ranging from health and fitness to IT and software, and more. LinkedIn Learning: Provides courses on business, creative, and technology skills, taught by industry experts. Skillshare: A community-based platform for creative and curious people, with classes in illustration, design, photography and more. edX: Offers university-level courses from various institutions, including MIT and Harvard, covering a range of topics. IBM SkillsBuild: Provides free access to learning materials and certifications in areas like cloud computing and AI. HubSpot Academy: Offers free courses and resources on marketing, sales and customer service. Google Skillshop: Provides free digital skills training through online learning platforms. Microsoft Learn: Offers free online training and certifications on Microsoft products. freeCodeCamp: A platform for learning web development through online courses. MIT OpenCourseWare: Provides access to free MIT course materials.
CNET
15 minutes ago
- CNET
After 20 Years of Reviewing TVs, I Actually Found One with Good Sound
CNET's key takeaways The Roku Pro Series (2025) features some of the best sound quality I have heard in years of testing AV equipment. Based on preliminary tests, the TV appears to perform better than the existing Pro series for audio and picture quality. While it sounds good for a TV, a soundbar with a wireless subwoofer will sound even better. As a 20-year veteran of TV and soundbar reviews, I can say, with certainty, that you can't expect good sound from a television. Sound quality may be a priority for you and me, but today's TVs typically perform on a spectrum somewhere between muddy and indistinct. The reason for this is that a flat-screen TV is inherently compromised, and onboard sound is usually one of the last considerations. As a result of this, if you want to buy a TV, you almost definitely need some sort of external speaker. Then again, there are rare exceptions like the newest Roku Pro Series TV, which goes on sale Tuesday and starts at $899 for the 55-inch model. The 2025 Roku Pro Series continues the thoughtful touches of previous models -- tool-less stands, an on-TV remote finder -- and adds even better sound to the mix. Other companies, such as Loewe and Panasonic, have even tried making soundbars a part of the TV, though with varying degrees of success. I've heard those TVs, and they're typically expensive flagships, but the Roku is simply trying to do what any TV should: Make dialogue understandable and not require a separate purchase. Also read: Best TVs of 2025 The designer of the TV's sound system, Roku's Kasper Andersen, told me he came up with the idea for its unique sound drivers during the pandemic, when he was left to his own devices in an empty audio lab. Andersen's "compression loaded" system appears to work like a horn speaker in that it pipes sound through a tapered opening, which helps reduce the muddying reflections that usually occur in TV speakers. To help achieve this, this speaker system is side-mounted, while most TVs point their speakers down, or even back, resulting in muffled or even 'ghostly' sound. The Roku Pro TV is not perfect. For instance, there was noticeable audio compression during loud sequences. But this is acceptable for a TV speaker and something I've even experienced with some soundbars. At the same price as the model it replaces, the Roku Pro Series TV is well put-together, sounds great and, based on initial tests, has picture quality that is better than before. If it performs as well as I anticipate, the new Roku Pro Series could be the TV to beat for the price. My experience with the Roku Pro Series Listening to Nick Cave on the new Roku Pro Series. Ty Pendlebury/CNET I tested the new Roku Pro's sound against its predecessor, also called the Roku Pro, as well as a high-end 2025 LCD, the Hisense U8Q. I tested each one using a mix of movies and music to see how the TVs performed when playing dynamic material. I started my evaluations with one of my soundbar benchmarks," a scene from Avatar that combines surround effects, quiet dialogue and dynamic explosions: the Thanator chase. Of the three TVs, the new Roku Pro was able to convey the deep rumble of the Hammerhead Titanotheres as well as the high-end energy of buzzing insects. It was also best able to convey a stereo image. At the start of the scene, Jake (Sam Worthington) leaves Grace (Sigourney Weaver) behind in a clearing, and the new Roku's audio system followed her position as it moved across the screen. However, not surprisingly, I found that the TV didn't deal with big dynamic swings as well as a full audio system might. I could hear the audio peaks compress when the Thanator chased Jake under a tree, and as he fired rounds at the creature. Yet, this is no sin; I've heard great soundbars like the Zvox SB500 do the same thing. The TV is essentially throttling the sound to prevent distortion or, worse, damage. I then switched to the Hisense and found that this TV was not at all convincing with this scene. While Grace's voice sounded front and center on both Roku TVs, she sounded like she was in another room on the Hisense. Her voice was muffled and indistinct. While the older Roku Pro still sounds pretty good, I found it could not reproduce bass at all. While listening to Peter Gabriel's track, Olive Tree, on both Roku TVs, I heard a thick bed of bass on the new Pro, where there was nothing but a flatulent pop on the older TV. You know when someone drives past listening to bass-heavy music and the subwoofer is so loud it sounds like the car is going to fall apart? That's what Nick Cave's Red Right Hand sounded like on the Hisense U8K. I even held the mount and the back of the TV, and the rattle was coming from inside the TV. One of my few complaints about the Roku Pro Series is that, while you can add Roku speakers, you can't add a standalone subwoofer. Granting this ability may reduce the dynamic compression artifacts I heard, as the sub can then take the hit and leave the TV's speakers to produce dialogue. I did perform a brief picture quality comparison, though only the older Roku had had its picture evaluated with a Konica Minolta CS2000 spectroradiometer. The other TVs were simply set in Filmmaker mode. Using a test scene from the war movie 1917, I found the new Roku had more solidity and better contrast than the other TVs. The Roku also had finer shadow detail than the Hisense, which was surprising given the Hisense is around 2.5 times the price. While I'm going to leave my thoughts for a full review, I can at least say that the black levels of the new Roku have improved over the previous generation's. The specs Sizes: 55-inch ($899), 65-inch ($1,199), 75-inch ($1,699) Resolution: 4K Technology: Mini-LED LCD with QLED Refresh rate: 120Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM HDR support: HDR10 Plus, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6 HDMI: 4, including eARC CNET's buying advice The No. 1 reason to buy a TV has been, and should always be, how good its picture quality is. Yet this shouldn't mean that sound quality can't be No. 2 on the list, especially when your budget is tight. While I'm still in the process of evaluating the Roku Pro's display, I can say that this is one of the better TVs I've heard, and at any price. It's worth mentioning that the existing model is currently being sold at a 30% discount to make way for the new TVs, and while its black levels don't appear to be as good, this is still a relatively accurate TV. It's also great at playing video games, and may be a decent deal if you're looking for a secondary TV for a playroom or bedroom.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
2025's Leading Digital Experience Platforms Ranked by Info-Tech Research Group for Usability and Business Impact
The recently published Digital Experience Data Quadrant Report from Info-Tech Research Group highlights the top DX solutions for improving user engagement and experience delivery. The report findings are based on user feedback gathered through the firm's SoftwareReviews platform. TORONTO, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Info-Tech Research Group has published its annual 2025 Digital Experience Data Quadrant Report, identifying the top eight digital experience (DX) management solutions for enterprise and midmarket spaces for the year. Based on 2,266 end user reviews collected through SoftwareReviews, a division of the global research and advisory firm and a leading source for insights on the software provider landscape, the report helps organizations identify the best solutions to boost user engagement and streamline operations. DX software solutions are essential for delivering seamless, engaging, and consistent interactions across digital channels. With rising expectations around usability and personalization, organizations are under increasing pressure to adopt platforms that offer more than just core features. Prioritizing solutions that align with business goals, address user needs, and support long-term digital strategies is central to staying competitive and driving meaningful outcomes. Info-Tech's Data Quadrant is a comprehensive evaluation tool that uses user feedback from IT professionals to rank software products based on four key dimensions: likeliness to recommend, features scores, net emotional footprint score, and vendor capabilities. These dimensions are aggregated into a Composite Score (CS), which reflects overall user satisfaction and determines the product's placement within the Data Quadrant. The firm's methodology ensures that rankings are based entirely on authentic user reviews – free from analyst opinions or vendor influence. The insights are published to support organizations evaluating solutions to enhance digital engagement and improve overall experience delivery. The 2025 Digital Experience - Enterprise Gold Medalists are as follows: WordPress VIP, 8.9 CS, ranked high for its ease of implementation. Enonic, 8.3 CS, ranked high for driving strong business value. Progress Sitefinity, 8.3 CS, ranked high for its robust web publishing capabilities. OpenText TeamSite, 8.2 CS, ranked high for its multichannel support. Adobe Experience Manager, 8.2 CS, ranked high for its comprehensive content repository. Bloomreach, 8.1 CS, ranked high for its effective content workflow management. The 2025 Digital Experience – Midmarket Gold Medalists are as follows: 8.8 CS, ranked high for its quality of features. Wix, 8.6 CS, ranked high for its high-quality standard templates. User assessments of software categories on SoftwareReviews provide an accurate, transparent view of a fast-evolving market. Info-Tech's reports are informed by the data from users and IT professionals who have intimate experience with the software throughout the procurement, implementation, and maintenance processes. Read the full report: Best Digital Experience Software Solutions 2025 For more information about Info-Tech's SoftwareReviews, the Data Quadrant, or the Emotional Footprint or to access resources to support the software selection process, visit About Info-Tech Research Group Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading research and advisory firms, serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations. To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights. Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@ For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit and connect via LinkedIn and X. About SoftwareReviews SoftwareReviews is a division of Info-Tech Research Group, a world-class technology research and advisory firm. SoftwareReviews empowers organizations with the best data, insights, and advice to improve the software buying and selling experience. For buyers, SoftwareReviews' proven software selection methodologies, customer insights, and technology advisors help maximize success with technology decisions. For providers, the firm helps build more effective marketing, product, and sales processes with expert analysts, how-to research, customer-centric marketing content, and comprehensive analysis of the buyer landscape. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
