A Servo-based IDD: the "LuLa-Pet"

"LuLa-Pet" is an interactive desktop installation, designed to provide rapid stress relief and emotional comfort for individuals in high-pressure environments.

Activated upon contact with any of the three separate touchpoints, LuLa-Pet responds to touch through movement in the arms, soft light, and calming sounds. The interaction is meant to feel natural, like comforting a small desk pet, and therefore the model requires no screen or instructions, making it a suitable project for anyone!

Materials List:

1. 4cm 8ohm 2W speaker 小喇叭扬声器4寸1.5寸2寸2.5寸3寸5W10W瓦8欧音箱音响配件全频diy-tmall.com天猫
2. PCB, with ESP32C3 ESP32-C3开发板核心板用于验证ESP32C3芯片功能2.4G WIFI蓝牙模块-淘宝网
3. SG90 9G 180-degree servo motors (x2) SG90 9G经典舵机 180/360度 数字舵机云台遥控飞机马达固定翼航模-tmall.com天猫
4. Male-male dupont wires 杜邦线母对母公对母公对公40P彩色排线连接线公母线10/30/20/40CM-tmall.com天猫
5. Female-Female dupont wires 杜邦线母对母公对母公对公40P彩色排线连接线公母线10/30/20/40CM-tmall.com天猫
6. 4GB Micro SD card 足量TF4GB通用小卡micro sd卡4GB手机内存卡tf卡4G储存卡-淘宝网
7. Mini MP3 player 开源 Mini MP3 Player mini播放器 MP3播放器 播放模块 播放-tmall.com天猫
8. MPR121 Board touch sensors https://e.tb.cn/h.iEDaIKiowFEPDNu?tk=L6un5lrk6te
9. NeoPixel RGB LEDs https://e.tb.cn/h.ivjwSUUrqMGgPSf?tk=rBoc5lr6e5S
10. Screws (2mm) https://e.tb.cn/h.iDaOCWXeD0LrMT3?tk=Du7J5lrOJZD

The building process begins by gathering all the hardware components previously listed and soldering these parts to prepare for internal assembly:

1. Connect two 1-bit NeoPixel LEDs with three single-core wires, then solder three female-female dupont wires to one of the NeoPixel LED bits (as shown in attached photo).
2. Solder pin headers and female headers onto PCB board (as shown in attached photo).
3. Solder pin headers onto MPR121 board.
4. Solder two female dupont wires onto the speaker.

1. Create the 3D model using the SubD function to make the surface smooth .
2. Add internal structures: a stand to hold the controller board, motors, and MP3 player.
3. Create a snap-fit joint so the body can open and close.
4. Add holes for eyes, whiskers, and screws.
5. When cutting holes for the hands may turn the body into an open polysurface, make sure it is closed solid polysurfaces for 3D printing.

*For manufacturing purpose, please see attached file.

Upload 3D file to Bambu Studio to prepare for printing!

After creating your own model, or downloading the one provided above, you can begin to print out the individual components needed for this build!

For this project, apart from the components that make the external shell of the model, we also need to print a structure this is meant to fit into the product for the accurate placing of different hardware, especially the servo motors.

Attached below is the ready-to-print Bambu studio file that includes all necessary components.

With reference to the attached photos, attach the following components to the PCB board you have previously soldered:

1. NeoPixel strip
2. 2 Servo motors
3. Speaker
4. MPR121 board (connect with female dupont wires)

Using online tools, define a specific input-output sequence for the model. This decides what input actions correlate to specific output sequences, in this case, the input of touch triggers responses including light, sound, and motion.

For this project, you can download the attached .json to load directly, or adjust according to personal preference.

After assembling the hardware, load your .json file (or the previously provided file) into the Arduino IDE software in order to test the hardware components for any errors.

The next step is to decorate LuLa-Pet.

1. Use sand paper or other smoothening tools to smoothen the outer layer of LuLa-Pet to ensure a smoother surface for painting.
2. Paint LuLa-Pet however you like!

Lastly, close the exterior with the assembled hardware inside and enjoy the company of the "Lula-Pet"!