My Final Project Sketches and Idea

For week one, we were tasked with defining our final project and showing some initial sketches.

What is my project idea?

For my project, I want to create a little desk robot companion.
The main robot electronics will be fully enclosed in the head portion, making it portable with an optional clip for a bag. It will have a base as its body which I plan to call desk mode. In desk mode, the robot will be able to charge from the base body. To make the body functional as more than just a charger, I plan to add in a simple clock so with or without the head it can be used as a functional desk clock.
Additionally, I want my robot to be fully customizable on the outside. I plan to embed a series of magnets into the head frame that can be used to attach decorative parts.

My Project goal for Fab Academy:

My goal for this project over the next several weeks is to create my desk companion and give it a custom personality to match my own. I want my robot companion to be customizable, and I want to create a set of sample customization parts. I want my robot to be interactable with at least one touch sensor and one magnet based sensor. (possibly using a reed switch?) I want to design a silicon carry case with a bag clip to hold the head in. I want to create a charging body base with the clock feature.

2D and 3D Project Designs

For week two, we were tasked with exploring a variety of 2D and 3D software, then picking the ones we worked the best with. We were also tasked with creating a model of our final project using our chosen software(s). Below, you can see three screenshots of what my robot project could look like when it is complete.

The main body shape most likely won't change significantly, but I do plan to incorporate a clock so there may be changes to the front.

The head shape may change if needed to fit the electronics, but the chosen head shape was my favorite and also favored by my family and friends whom I shared my sketches with. In the first image, you can see the possible placement of the magnets for decorative attachments. In images two and three, you can see examples of how one could customize their desk robot to match their personality with printed or sculpted attachments like sailormoon themed toppers or antennae.

Computer Aided Cutting

week 4

Week 5