17 - Applications and Implications

In this section, we will answer questions related to our final project.

What does it do?

To develop an interactive animatronic that supports children with apraxia through voice output and gesture imitation, promoting verbal and non-verbal communication in a playful and therapeutic way.

Who's done what beforehand?

Currently, most animatronic applications focus on entertainment. However, new trends are emerging that explore their potential in fields such as education and healthcare, where they can become innovative tools for learning and therapy. Some notable examples include:

What did you design?

In this project, the electronic systems, user interface, and mechanical components responsible for the animatronic’s movement were fully designed. For the design of the movement mechanisms, inspiration was drawn from several online sources, especially from creators and projects recognized in the field of animatronic design.

What sources did you use?

For the design of the animatronic, several online creators and projects were used as sources of inspiration and reference, such as:

  • Will Cogley. Known for his handcrafted work on realistic animatronics, especially humanoid heads with complex facial expressions. His channel documents in detail the design, modeling, and motion control processes.
  • Design and development of an ANTHROPOMORPHIC ANIMATRONIC HEAD. An academic project that explores the mechanical and electronic design of an animatronic head with human-like features, highlighting the use of servomotors and 3D printed structures.
  • World's Most Realistic Animatronic Head. A viral video showing an animatronic with extremely realistic facial movements, used as inspiration to achieve expressiveness in the prototype.
  • 2c_okuyama. A Japanese creator who shares his designs of compact and expressive animatronic mechanisms on social media, with a focus on simplicity and mechanical efficiency.

    • What materials and components were used?

    Product Features Quantity Cost Link
    XIAO RP2040 Dual-core ARM Cortex M0+ processor, flexible clock running up to 133 MHz.
    Support Micropython/Arduino/CircuitPython    		 1 $8.49 Amazon
    Servomotor Mg995 Torque at 6V 12kg/cm, 7.2V 13kg/cm. 2 $13.99 Amazon
    Micro servomotor mg90s Stall Torque: 2.0kg/cm(4.8V) 7 $13.99 Amazon
    Servo driver - pca9685 I2C communication
    control 16 free-running PWM    		 1 $12.99 Amazon
    DFPlayer Mini MP3 Serial port 1 $7.96 Amazon
    S-25-12 Switching Power Supply AC/DC Single Output 12V 2.1A
    		1 $39.20 Amazon
    Silicone Rubber - Dragon Skin Mix ratio of 1A:1B by Volume
    Pot life of 25 minutes
    Cures to Soft, Super-Strong, and Stretchy Shore     		1 $38.12 Amazon
    PLA Filament Creality 3D Printer Filament, PLA Filament 1.75mm Bundle 2Kg for 3D Printing 1 $29.99 Amazon
    Screws Metric M1 M1.2 M1.4 M1.6 M2 M2.5 304 Stainless Steel 1 $18.99 Amazon
    Speaker 3W 4 Ohm 1 $5.32 Amazon

    Where did they come from?

    All the components used come from the " Amazon " store.

    How much did they cost?

    Product Cost Quantity Total
    XIAO RP2040 $8.49 1 $8.49
    Servomotor Mg995 $13.99 2 $13.99
    Micro servomotor mg90s $13.99 2 $27.98
    Servo driver - pca9685 $12.99 1 $12.99
    DFPlayer Mini MP3 $7.96 1 $7.96
    S-25-12 Switching Power Supply AC/DC $39.20 1 $39.20
    Silicone Rubber - Dragon Skin $38.12 1 $38.12
    PLA Filament $29.99 1 $29.99
    Screws $18.99 1 $18.99
    Speaker $5.32 1 $5.32
    Total $203.03

    What parts and systems were made?

    The project is composed of four fundamental areas:

    • Mechanics
    • Electronics
    • Control
    • Interface
    Each of these areas was fully designed and developed within the scope of this project, integrating customized solutions at both the hardware and software levels to achieve a functional and coherent system.

    What processes were used?

    For the development of the animatronic, the following processes were carried out in each of the key areas:

    MECHANICS
    • CAD design of structural parts and joints.
    • 3D printing of components using PLA filament.
    • Assembly of mechanisms with servomotors.
    ELECTRONICS
    • Design of electrical schematics and PCBs using KiCad.
    • Soldering of electronic components.
    • Continuity testing and functionality verification.
    Control
    • Programming of the XIAO RP2040
    • Testing and programming adjustments related to outputs
    INTERFACE
    • Graphic interface design.
    • Communication between the interface and the XIAO RP2040.
    • Usability testing and adjustments based on user interaction.

    What questions were answered?

    During the development of the project, the following key questions were addressed and answered:

    • What electronic and mechanical components are necessary to achieve smooth and safe interaction?.
      Servomotors, sensors, and a custom PCB were selected to ensure proper operation. The use of these components does not suppose any risk to the user.
    • What materials are most suitable for prototype fabrication?.
      PLA was chosen for 3D printing due to its ease of use, safety, and compatibility with the Prusa printer.
    • What types of movements and expressions are the simplest for working with a child with apraxia?.
      According to speech therapy specialists, the simplest and most effective movements and expressions to work with children with apraxia include "smiling, opening and closing the mouth, making faces, inflating cheeks," among others.

    What worked? What didn't?

    WHAT WORKED
    • Communication between the electronics, control system, and interface was successful, enabling smooth interaction.
    • The PLA-printed parts were assembled correctly.
    • A simple interface was developed, which facilitated communication with the animatronic.
    WHAT DIDN’T WORK
    • Complex gestures could not be implemented due to mechanical or space constraints.
    • Time available to develop the project.

    How was it evaluated?

    Although the project is not yet fully completed, the prototype is expected to be evaluated by a speech therapist. This evaluation will provide specialized feedback, identifying both strengths and areas for improvement. The goal is for this information to serve as a basis for future enhancements and developments, ensuring that the animatronic meets therapeutic requirements and is truly useful in sessions with children with apraxia.

    What tasks have been completed?

    • Interface
    • Electronics
    • Molds

    What tasks remain?

    • The mechanical part
    • Systems integration

    What will happen when?

    Once the project is completed, it will serve as a starting point for improving the designs, with an emphasis on functionality and autonomous operation.

    What are the implications?

    The development of this animatronic has significant implications in the therapeutic, academic, and technological fields:

    • This prototype aims to become a complementary tool for speech therapists, facilitating the practice of gestures and essential orofacial movements in children with apraxia.
    • Although the project is still in the prototype phase, it is intended as a foundation for the development of more advanced animatronics capable of adapting to the specific needs of different patients.
    • The project also has an impact within the university environment, particularly at Universidad IBERO. It seeks to inspire engineering students to apply their knowledge in the design of technological solutions with social impact, promoting the creation of animatronics focused on solving real-world problems.

    What have you learned?

    Throughout the development of this project, a real issue related to therapeutic support for children with apraxia was addressed. Although the developed prototype represents a basic solution, it serves as a solid starting point for future research and improvements. This work helped to understand the importance of integrating technical knowledge with a human-centered approach, and laid the foundation for designing technologies with social impact.