Show controller systems, and components thereof, for controlling animatronics characters in performing a standard show, and for also performing customized shows and responses guided by artificial intelligence and machine learning; Cameras having associated software for integrating with a show controller for providing machine vision to show controller systems and animatronics characters; microphones and microphone arrays having associated software for integrating with a show controller for providing machine hearing to show controller systems and animatronics characters; software for operably controlling animatronics characters for performing standard shows and also for providing highly customized shows and responses guided by machine learning and artificial intelligence; and software for monitoring various electronics systems, using artificial intelligence and machine learning, for predicting failures of various parts of the system, and for alerting maintenance staff to replace potentially failing parts before failure.