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10

Minor Versionm

by Joshua

Introduction

Meet Sally Servo - the Really Robotic Robot. :)

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to make robotic googly eyes like Sally's. Googly eyes are the best - but we made them better! This tutorial shows you how to make googly eyes that are controllable by simple servo motors. This is an easy project and a great introduction to micro:bit with a big impact!

Video Overview

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  1. Gather supplies. You will need a pair of extra-large googly eyes. If the size of your eyes is different from the template, enlarge or reduce the size of the large circle to match.
    • Gather supplies. You will need a pair of extra-large googly eyes. If the size of your eyes is different from the template, enlarge or reduce the size of the large circle to match.

  2. Cut out the large circles from glitter paper. We've found that the shinier/glitterier the paper, the better the eye holes are hidden. This way, you can see out of the mask while hiding the eye holes!
    • Cut out the large circles from glitter paper.

    • We've found that the shinier/glitterier the paper, the better the eye holes are hidden. This way, you can see out of the mask while hiding the eye holes!

  3. Using an awl, poke out all the tiny holes according to the template. To make it easier, use an old piece of cloth under the paper to allow the awl more room to move through. Using an awl, poke out all the tiny holes according to the template. To make it easier, use an old piece of cloth under the paper to allow the awl more room to move through. Using an awl, poke out all the tiny holes according to the template. To make it easier, use an old piece of cloth under the paper to allow the awl more room to move through.
    • Using an awl, poke out all the tiny holes according to the template. To make it easier, use an old piece of cloth under the paper to allow the awl more room to move through.

  4. Place the large circles onto the cardboard where the eyes will go. Mark the center of the circles and also the location of the tiny holes. Cut out the section under the perforation holes. Make sure you don't cut too far outside the area so that the eye pieces cover the hole completely. Cut holes for the motors to go through. The center is about 1/2 inch, and a small notch needs to be cut from the bottom to account for the shape of the plastic, as shown.
    • Place the large circles onto the cardboard where the eyes will go. Mark the center of the circles and also the location of the tiny holes.

    • Cut out the section under the perforation holes. Make sure you don't cut too far outside the area so that the eye pieces cover the hole completely.

    • Cut holes for the motors to go through. The center is about 1/2 inch, and a small notch needs to be cut from the bottom to account for the shape of the plastic, as shown.

  5. Glue the motors in place from behind. Both motors should be facing the same direction. This will make the angles easier to code. Glue the motors in place from behind. Both motors should be facing the same direction. This will make the angles easier to code.
    • Glue the motors in place from behind. Both motors should be facing the same direction. This will make the angles easier to code.

  6. Glue the eye pieces in place, aligning the holes with the cutouts.
    • Glue the eye pieces in place, aligning the holes with the cutouts.

  7. Cut the small circles from black paper (or reuse the pupils from the large googly eyes. ) Remove the plastic covers from the googly eyes. Discard the backing.
    • Cut the small circles from black paper (or reuse the pupils from the large googly eyes. )

    • Remove the plastic covers from the googly eyes. Discard the backing.

  8. Hot glue the LEGO pieces to the pupils as shown with the "+" part at the edge. Tip: Avoid getting glue into the "+" area near the edge so that the motor head will fit inside.
    • Hot glue the LEGO pieces to the pupils as shown with the "+" part at the edge.

    • Tip: Avoid getting glue into the "+" area near the edge so that the motor head will fit inside.

  9. Connect the motors to Pin 0 and Pin 1 on the bit board.
    • Connect the motors to Pin 0 and Pin 1 on the bit board.

    • Connect the micro:bit.

  10. Download the code to micro:bit, available here.
    • Download the code to micro:bit, available here.

    • This code moves the eyes when the head is tilted, and randomly rolls the robot eyes for dramatic effect.

  11. Place the pupils on the eyes and test the code. Be sure that the pupils are attached to the motors at the correct angle. Once the pupils are correct, glue the plastic domes over the eyes.
    • Place the pupils on the eyes and test the code. Be sure that the pupils are attached to the motors at the correct angle.

    • Once the pupils are correct, glue the plastic domes over the eyes.

  12. Add a battery pack to make the project mobile.
    • Add a battery pack to make the project mobile.

  13. Continue to build your Really Robotic Robot costume! For more, view these guides:
Finish Line

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Natasha Dzurny

Member since: 08/26/2019

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