Experience the Future with SMRT-1
Nothing says old school Epcot in the ’80s like robots. There were several robots greeting guests during this time: GYRO, GERO (GE-sponsored), Tiger, and SMRT-1. Let’s take a closer look at SMRT-1 (pronounced Smart-One). This character was introduced to the public during the EPCOT Center opening celebration as a female robot with a higher voice. In the parks, SMRT-1 become a male robot. You could find SMRT-1 in the CommuniCore’s Sperry Computer Central. In fact, SMRT-1 became the unofficial mascot of the pavilion.
He was one of the first robots to use speech-recognition technology. A guest could pick up a telephone and “talk” to SMRT-1. His computer circuitry analyzed the question to determine either a “yes” or “no” as the response. This voice-recognition technology allowed him to interact with guests and play question and answer games. SMRT-1 spent his days entertaining guests in the Computer Central.
When Communicore was “reimagined” as Innoventions in 1994, SMRT-1 left the pavilion. He found a new home at the Concourse Steakhouse at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. SMRT-1 was renamed X1846 and served drinks and greeted guests.
Somewhere around 2000, SMRT-1 experienced technical problems and was banished from the restaurant.
SMRT-1 still lives on in the form of merchandise for Epcot.
