Technologies, Tools, and Processes for Animatronic and Electronic Toy Development

Robotics and Automation Society

Co-sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the IEEE Consumer Electronics Society, the Boston Chapter of the IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society, and the Boston Chapter of the IEEE Computer Society

Presented by:

Jonathan A. Palé — VP, Global Engineering and Technology
Don Cameron – Manager, Animatronics
Craig Desrosiers – Director, Applied Technologies

Doors open: 6:15 P.M.
Presentation: 6:45 P.M.
Dinner: 8:30 P.M.

Animatronic and Electronic toy and game development is an exercise in suspending disbelief with the lowest cost possible. This session will explore the in’s and out’s of animatronic and electronic toy and game design and value engineering; the overall development process; and how ever-changing consumer insights and expectations fuel the need to quickly develop new capabilities to stay on trend. Specifically, two of the foremost experts in this field will take us through identifying the consumer insights; defining key magic, marketable features of a product experience; the design mentality and process needed to realize those features; the electronic component selection process and IC toolchains required; and what’s involved in prototyping, model development, gameplay development, design for manufacture, testing, and software quality control.

Jonathan A. Palé — VP, Global Engineering and Technology

Jonathan came to Hasbro in 2005 after spending nearly a decade as an electrical engineer in the defense industry; designing printed circuit boards, FPGAs, and writing embedded software. Armed with his knowledge of advanced technologies from the defense world, Jonathan took to finding ways to apply these technologies cost-effectively in toys and games. Jonathan and his world-class team of engineers, designers, and project managers at Hasbro have been behind the development of many award-winning play experiences: FURBY BOOM; FURREAL FRIENDS STARLILY, MY MAGICAL UNICORN; SESAME STREET LOVE2LEARN ELMO; STAR WARS REMOTE CONTROL BB-8 DROID; SCRABBLE FLASH; and many more. Jonathan holds a BSEE from Rochester Institute of Technology (1997) and an MBA from Northeastern University (2009).

Don Cameron – Manager, Animatronics

Don started at Hasbro in 2003 as an intern with a passion for bringing toys to life. Joining Hasbro fulltime in 2005, he contributed to the early development of the FURREAL FRIENDS line of animatronic products, including Toy of the Year winners BUTTERSCOTCH and BISCUIT MY LOVIN’ PUP. Under the mentorship of Richard Maddocks, Don has championed the integration of design and engineering in toy animatronics. Don was a key developer on FURBY in 2012 and has been instrumental in establishing Hasbro as a leader in app-integrated product design. In 2015 he took over as manager of the Animatronics Development team, leading a team of talented engineers to support Hasbro’s animatronics needs across all of the company’s brands. Don holds a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design (2004).

Craig Desrosiers – Director, Applied Technologies

Craig leads Hasbro’s Applied Technologies group, looking for ways to bring in new technologies and make them real for Hasbro’s brand teams. His team leads execution on many high complexity projects including FurReal Friends Starlilly My Magical Unicorn and Torch My Blazin Dragon, Playmation, NERF Terrascout RC Drone, and new brands like Hanazuki. They champion technologies like Bluetooth, NFC, and WiFi. Prior to Hasbro, Craig led a team developing electronic products for Graco Children’s Products. He holds a BSEE from Northeastern and an MSEE from Drexel University with focus on Engineering Management, semiconductor physics, digital signal processing, and system architecture.

COMPANY HISTORY

Hasbro (HAS) is a global company committed to Creating the World’s Best Play Experiences by leveraging its beloved brands, including LITTLEST PET SHOP, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, MONOPOLY, MY LITTLE PONY, NERF, PLAY-DOH and TRANSFORMERS, and premier partner brands. From toys and games, television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and consumer product licensing, Hasbro fulfills the fundamental need for play and connection with children and families around the world. The Company’s Hasbro Studios and its film label, Allspark Pictures, create entertainment brand-driven storytelling across mediums, including television, film, digital and more. Through the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro & @HasbroNews) and Instagram (@Hasbro).

UNHOSTED DINNER

Olive Garden
1240 Newport Ave.
South Attleboro, MA 02703

Have more questions? Want to share a drink with the speaker? Want to network with fellow engineers and professionals? Just want to chat about the current goings-on in Robotics, or technology in general? Join us for dinner, where you can talk about Robotics in a more casual setting!

GENERAL INFORMATION

This and other RAS meetings are open to the general public. For more information about the RAS Boston Chapter, contact Chapter Chair Ryan Pettigrew at chair@robotics-boston.org or visit http://www.robotics-boston.org/.

To assist us in planning this meeting, please pre-register at http://www.ieeeboston.org/Register/.