A special rendering tool was created specifically to randomly place the pips on every domino in Bigweld's workshop.
In the chase sequence, while Big Weld is rebooting, he briefly sings the song "Daisy Bell," also known as "A Bicycle Built For Two". This was the first song ever voiced by a computer, when in 1961, IBM programmed their 704 computer to sing it, to demonstrate their voice synthesis system. This is also the song sung in 2001: Odissea nello spazio (1968) by the Hal-9000 computer.
Chris Wedge reports on the DVD commentary that Robin Williams performed the scene with Fender and Rodney attempting to get past Tim eight times in eight different accents, including as a Polish valet.
The filmmakers wanted the music score to sound like it was recorded by the "Robot Philharmonic". To that effect, they hired performance artists Blue Man Group, known for performing on musical instruments made from industrial piping and other found objects, to do special percussion effects.
Rodney Copperbottom's design is inspired by an old Evinrude outboard engine in Chris Wedge's garage, as well as on a Volkswagen van. An early version of Rodney makes a cameo, as the green robot with the jet pack, waiting in line during Bigweld's television show.
An internet search will reveal dozens of outboard motors from the 1940-50s, all of which serve as beautiful examples of the "mid-century modern" style of designs. Many of the elements of these motors pop up in this film in various guises.
An internet search will reveal dozens of outboard motors from the 1940-50s, all of which serve as beautiful examples of the "mid-century modern" style of designs. Many of the elements of these motors pop up in this film in various guises.