The Era of the Dragon begins again with El Grando!

There is a new dragon in Newcastle and it's robotic. That's exactly what artists Dan Peppiatt and Paka have unleashed onto the animatronics scene with their "El Grando"; an eight meter high, five foot wide mechanical dragon complete with it's own fire breathing pyrotechnics.

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El Grando is a huge animatronic attraction designed by Peppiatt and Paka. They created this monstrosity of a dragon to dispel myths of stereotype images of human android relationships in pop culture. They would like to showcase a dragon that is huge and can be fun at the same time. Assembled mostly from bits and pieces from what can best be called scrap metal reality from myth, the El Grando is indeed a sight to behold. El Grando's singular characteristic feature would be it's fire breathing abilities, made possible by a sophisticated arrangement of DMX controlled propane gas system, pneumatic cylinders and scuba diving valves. The dragon's fiery flames come out from both ends namely the mouth and the tail. These flames can be controlled to emerge according to a rhythm.

The Dragon is still limited in movement even though it has legs propelled by electronic drive systems sourced from recycled wheelchairs. This petrol gulping behemoth has another problem and that has to do with it's three meter long neck. The interesting thing about the dragon robot is that it can be made to amuse and interact with people. This according to El Grando's creators would help bridge the rift between human reluctance to embrace the robot. Now they are on the lookout for a new smoke machine to further titilliate the already enthralled audience. The age of the Dragon has come forth again!

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Source: wired