Research for chocolate makers Cadbury found that 1 in 3 children didn’t realise milk came from cows. And many didn’t how big they are. So Cadbury asked Area 51 to create a life-size, realistic, animatronic cow, named Buttons. She would show families at London’s Southbank Centre how friendly cows can be and help launch the Cadbury ‘Adopt A Cow’ campaign. Twenty prop specialists from Area 51 spent more than 500 hours on the design and construction. Further hours of observation helped Area 51’s skilled performers recreate realistic bovine body movements.
The main body is foam-built and her coat is stretch synthetic fur. Area 51’s custom-made Digileg stilts were used for the reverse-knee rear legs, while animatronic mechanisms control the head, jaw, eye and tail movements. Two pairs of performers take turns inside Buttons.
Buttons the Cow is exclusive to Cadbury, who are so pleased with Area 51’s professional quality – and the cow’s impact – they have booked her for additional events. See how life-like Buttons behaves
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