Adventure World, a theme park in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, has introduced lifelike robotic penguins that swim in water [1].
The move comes as the park seeks new signature attractions to maintain visitor interest following the absence of pandas [1]. By utilizing technology to mimic animal behavior, the facility aims to bridge the gap in its current animal lineup and stimulate a broader interest in wildlife [2].
The robots were developed by the team Cocorobo. Ikuma Okada, the leader of Cocorobo, said the goal is to use the robots as an entry point to encourage guests to take an interest in real animals [1]. Okada said visitors often approach the robots believing they are real, only to be surprised upon discovering they are mechanical [1].
This technological addition complements the park's existing biological diversity. Adventure World currently houses approximately 120 species [3] and about 1,600 individual animals [3]. Among these, the park maintains one of the largest penguin populations in Japan, with approximately 500 birds [4].
The integration of the robotic penguins began in 2024, with reports and events coinciding with World Penguin Day on April 25, and subsequent activities in May of that year [4, 5]. The robots are designed to reproduce realistic swimming movements, providing an educational and visual spectacle for guests [1].
By blending robotics with traditional zoological exhibits, the park is attempting to evolve its business model. The focus remains on using the novelty of the machines to draw attention back to the conservation and study of the living species already present in the facility [1, 2].
“I want people to use the robots as an entry point to become interested in animals.”
The shift toward 'robotic attractions' at Adventure World reflects a broader trend in the tourism and zoological sectors to mitigate the loss of high-profile animals. By substituting missing biological draws with high-fidelity robotics, the park is diversifying its risk and utilizing technology to maintain foot traffic without relying solely on the availability of specific endangered species.
