Manuel Ignacio Ayala Chauvin

System Integration – Final Project

Project Overview

The final project, "Puppet of the 21st Century", is an expressive storytelling puppet that uses mechanical articulation, audio synchronization, and character modularity to enhance educational storytelling. The puppet is designed to interact with children in an engaging and dynamic way by syncing its mouth and face movements with audio narration, offering visual expressiveness and educational support through a mobile application.

System Architecture & Functional Concept

This concept map shows the major functional components:

• Audio synchronization: Real-time movement of the mouth synced with audio waveforms.
• Control mechanism: A four-bar linkage system to animate the puppet's mouth.
• Character changes: Modular faceplates or attachments to change the puppet's appearance.
• Mobile App: Allows real-time storytelling adaptation.
• Books: Integration with children’s books for narration.
• Educational impact: Promotes literacy, imagination, and emotional engagement.

Mechanical Design and Integration

Mechanism Sketch & Internal Layout

The puppet integrates a four-bar linkage mechanism connected to a servo motor. The mechanism is enclosed within a wooden chassis and interacts with a power supply, Bluetooth module, and audio trigger for movement.

Mechanism Front and Side View

The image shows:

• Front view: Emphasis on aesthetic and expressive facial structure.
• Side view: Articulated linkage transforming rotary into jaw motion.

Technical Plan of Mechanical System

• Cross-section and side view of internal casing.
• Motor and linkage mounting strategy.
• Guides and supports for the moving parts.

Fabrication Process

1. Laser-cutting of chassis

2. 3D-printed mechanical parts

Parts printed with Bambu Lab X1-Carbon, designed to be lightweight and structurally precise for mouth motion.

3. Servo motor mounting and integration

Final Integration and Prototype Testing

These images show the minimum viable prototype (MVP) fully assembled. The jaw mechanism is tested and reacts to control signals through the servo motor.

Packaging and Product Finish

The prototype is designed as a modular, maintainable system. The final packaging will include casing for electronics, removable face modules, and wireless control. It has been crafted to reflect a product-oriented approach suitable for educational contexts.

Week 15: Conclusion

This week marked a key milestone in the development of the final project: the successful integration of mechanical, electronic, and structural components into a single functional system. By combining 3D-printed parts, laser-cut wooden supports, and servo-driven control, a minimum viable prototype of the puppet was achieved.

The project demonstrated the feasibility of synchronizing mouth movement with potential audio signals through a mechanically stable and aesthetically coherent structure. The integration of the servo mount, linkage mechanism, and modular puppet head validated the core mechanical functionality and set a solid foundation for the upcoming tasks.

This integration phase confirmed that the system architecture and physical assembly can support further development of interactive features, including real-time audio synchronization and mobile app control. While packaging and enclosure design remain in progress, the current prototype already reflects a product-oriented design suitable for educational storytelling.

The focus for the upcoming weeks will be on refining movement expressiveness, programming synchronized audio control, and developing the final casing. Overall, the integration process validated the conceptual and technical design, reinforcing the project's educational and creative goals.

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