SimGraphics, a provider of real-time animated character technology and immersive interactive experiences, has announced that its interactive animated cartoon version of the world’s largest dinosaur skeleton, 'Maximo', for The Field Museum in Chicago, will launch on the museum website later this year.
This project demonstrates the company's LBE industry-first technology, which delivers entirely safe, interactive character implementations anywhere, including on mobile devices and desktops.
This new functionality extends the reach of the branded character and can help an organisation maintain a relationship with an LBE visitor after their visit.
SimGraphics will announce and demo its digital version of the technology at IAAPA Expo in Orlando this week.
Attendees will be able to access the technology online, and Mike Fusco, founder and CTO, will offer demonstrations. Please email to book a meeting.
See also: Key education sessions, events & exhibitors at IAAPA Expo 2025
Meet Maximo
In partnership with the internationally acclaimed Field Museum, SimGraphic’s engineers and creative teams combined their years of experience with real-time digital puppetry, proprietary software, and AI to develop an autonomous interactive Titanosaur.
The project built upon the Field Museum's existing text-based “chatbot”, which shared information about Maximo and other dinosaurs. The institution asked SimGraphics to use that base information to develop an autonomous, animated, interactive character experience.
Installed in a Kiosk within the Grand Hall, near the Maximo skeleton, the interactive offers humorous responses to a wide variety of questions about himself and other dinosaurs.
Notably, its responses can only come from a large domain of prerecorded phrases and associated animations. The SimGraphics technology can listen to and understand a visitor’s questions, then create an answer based on its extensive database.
This means that Maximo will never say something that is not completely safe and “on brand” for The Field Museum.
Over time, the database can be expanded, based on an analysis of questions and responses to identify new content needs and gaps.
Mike Fusco, founder and CTO of SimGraphics, says: "We have a unique approach and technology developed over many years to create an interactive experience that maintains the personality of a character while being 100 per cent safe from ever developing new language such that the character uses phrases that are 'off-brand' or worse.
"I like to say, 'Our characters cannot learn on their own, but they can be readily taught'."
The new browser-based implementation of Maximo offers an engaging introduction for people researching The Field Museum, as well as a way for The Field to foster richer, more interactive relationships with its visitors and members after a visit.
Furthermore, SimGraphics technologies could be used to enable Maximo or another character to act as a virtual docent on a mobile device, enhancing the visitor’s experience at the museum.
Rob Zschernitz, chief digital strategist and CTO, The Field Museum, says: "We have partnered with SimGraphics to create a 3D interactive cartoon version of ‘Maximo', our giant Titanosaur skeleton, and installed it in a kiosk in our Grand Hall, where he has been entertaining and educating our visitors.
"We are now partnering with SimGraphics to have“Maximo” available on our website and are contemplating future uses of “Maximo” in other parts of our Museum or potentially as part of an outreach program”
To talk with Maximo yourself, please visit demo.simg.com. Email info@simg.com with any questions
SimGraphics has been developing software-driven attractions and character performance systems for over 30 years. Its solutions combine creative storytelling with advanced engineering to engage audiences in theme parks, museums, retail environments, events, and other venues.
The company’s portfolio features two flagship technology platforms: the VActor system and the AI-VActor system. The VActor platform enables live voice actors or puppeteers to control 3D characters remotely, enabling animated figures to interact with visitors through kiosks, displays, or event spaces.
Jade Craig
