As children, many of us envisioned a future where computers were lively, interactive companions. These machines weren’t just tools; they had personality, soul, and could be our friends, co-workers, or even pets. Today, devices like Alexa interact with us, but they lack the engaging personality we once imagined. So where are those interactive companions we dreamed of? Enter the world of creative hacking and innovation, where enthusiasts transform everyday virtual assistants into character-filled devices. This project demonstrates how a popular virtual assistant is transformed using animatronics and an old television screen, creating a machine that feels alive and interactive.
Building the Future
The vision for this project is clear: to create a device that interacts with people more personally. While Alexa is efficient, she lacks the personality that makes interactions engaging. The goal is to create a device that behaves like a character in the story of everyday life.
The project starts with hacking an Amazon Echo, adding animatronics, and repurposing a screen from an old television. The plan is to make the device feel more alive by incorporating features that allow it to interact more naturally. The television, one of the last generations of black-and-white CRTs, is disassembled and repurposed to display a moving mouth that syncs with the voice, enhancing the realism of interactions.
Gathering Parts
The journey begins with a trip to a local electronics store to gather necessary parts. Despite a restriction from his wife about buying more electronics, the creator convinces her of the project’s importance, emphasizing the goal of building a robot.
Technical Work
The technical aspect of the Coolest Robot Ever involves modifying the television’s board to display the voice signal. By hijacking the horizontal signal sent to the tube and replacing it with an audio signal, the team aims to see the audio on the screen. The animatronics are built using designs developed by Will Coogley from Nilheim Mechatronics, utilizing an Arduino, servos, and a 3D printer.
Creating Interaction
A self-contained face-tracking camera unit from Useful Sensors is used to allow the device to maintain eye contact with the user, making the interaction feel personal. The goal is for the device to not just react when spoken to, but to seek out interaction and watch the user in a friendly, curious manner.
Overcoming Challenges
One challenge encountered is programming Alexa to respond immediately to the wake word without additional commands. This is solved by tapping into the voltage supply that lights up Alexa’s LEDs when the wake word is heard, allowing the microcontroller to sense this and activate the device.
Final Assembly
The final assembly involves integrating all the parts into a clear acrylic chassis, inspired by the transparent Apple IIe computer from the 1980s. This design allows a view of the internal workings, adding to the charm and character of the device.
Testing and Presentation of the Coolest Robot Ever
After assembling all components, the device is tested. Despite some issues with noise and jittery servos, the project is deemed a success. The creator introduces the new interactive device, “AlexaTron,” showcasing its ability to interact in a more engaging manner.
A Step Towards the Future
The Coolest Robot Ever project represents a significant step towards creating more personal and engaging technology, fulfilling the childhood vision of a future filled with lively, interactive computer creatures. The prototype, while not perfect, serves as a foundation for future developments in interactive technology. This is just the beginning of a journey towards a future where our devices are not only functional but also delightful companions.
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