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Final Project Proposal -
Project Ideation
Project Ideation
1- Tell us about the purpose of your project. Which problem does it solve? Why do you care about this? What were you inspired by? Include images and videos of similar projects.
1- Tell us about the purpose of your project. Which problem does it solve? Why do you care about this? What were you inspired by? Include images and videos of similar projects.
This project is an eight-legged Theo Jansen mechanism robot controlled by a mobile phone. It solves the problem of limited mobility in rough or uneven terrain, where wheels struggle to move.
I care about this because legged motion is more adaptable than wheels and can also be fun and engaging.
I was inspired by the work of Theo Jansen, who created beautiful walking kinetic sculptures that move without wheels. I also wanted to add personality and interaction through a screen face and sounds.
2- Describe the project idea and general features. How would it work?
2- Describe the project idea and general features. How would it work?
The robot will walk using 8 mechanical legs that simulate natural walking.
It will be:
· Controlled via a mobile phone (Bluetooth)
· Equipped with a screen that shows expressions (happy, angry, excited)
· Programmed to say phrases based on its behavior (e.g., “Ouch!” when bumped)
3- Sketch your project: You may use pen and paper or a simple sketching tool like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop
3- Sketch your project: You may use pen and paper or a simple sketching tool like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop
Project Planning
Project Planning
4- Describe the Technical Modules that your project consists of
4- Describe the Technical Modules that your project consists of
Construction Parts
Laser-cut or 3D-printed legs (Theo Jansen mechanism)
Main body frame (wood or acrylic)
Mount for screen and electronics
Input
(Sensing, Tactile Input, and/or Graphical Input)
Bluetooth module (for phone control)
Bump sensor (to detect hits or collisions)
Action
(Physical and/or Graphic)
Multiple servo or DC motors (for leg movement)
OLED or LCD screen (for facial expressions)
Speaker or buzzer (for sounds and voice lines
Brain
Arduino Uno
Power Management
Li-ion battery pack (7.4V or 11.1V depending on motors)
Voltage regulator (5V for Arduino + screen)
Power switch and charging port
5- Create a cardboard prototype of your project, demonstrating the project face as well as internal movements and mechanisms. Include a demo video and photos of the prototype.
5- Create a cardboard prototype of your project, demonstrating the project face as well as internal movements and mechanisms. Include a demo video and photos of the prototype.
Thao Jansen Mechanism Links
The Mechanism assembled---> Representing a whole leg
The Leg mounted to the main body
6- Categorize your project’s User Features into: Minimum, Complete, and Nice-to-have features. List the required action and input components per feature.
6- Categorize your project’s User Features into: Minimum, Complete, and Nice-to-have features. List the required action and input components per feature.
Minimum Features: are the least amount of features that would demonstrate the coverage of all the technical modules and their complete integration
Complete Features: are the set of features that will complete your original project objective and vision
Nice-to-have Features: are the extra set of features that will make the project cooler, yet they need extra time, effort, and/or resources to finish
Minimum User Features
Robot walks using leg mechanism
Action: DC or Servo Motors
Sensing: Ultrasonic Sensor
User Input: Bluetooth from mobile phone
Robot can be controlled via mobile phone (forward/backward/stop)
Action: Motor driver controlling the legs
Sensing: Bluetooth module
User Input: Mobile phone app or joystick interface
Complete User Features
Robot stops or reacts when it bumps into an object
Action: Stops motors / plays sound
Sensing: Bump sensor
User Input: Passive (triggered by bump)
Robot displays facial expressions (happy, angry, etc.) on screen
Action: OLED/LCD screen
Sensing: Pre-programmed logic or event-triggered (e.g., bump)
User Input: N/A
Robot says pre-recorded voice lines (e.g., “Hello!”, “Ouch!”)
Action: Speaker or buzzer
Sensing: Event-based
User Input: Automatic / triggered by interaction
Nice-to-have User Features
Robot follows a user or avoids obstacles automatically
Action: Change Direction
Sensing: Ultrasonic sensor / IR sensor
User Input:
Mood-based behavior (changes expression based on how often it bumps or walks)
Action: Screen + sound changes dynamically
Sensing: Bump sensor + movement timer
User Input: Indirect (from interaction history)
LED lighting effects that reflect mood or movement
Action: RGB LEDs
Sensing: Pre-programmed triggers (e.g., walking = green, bump = red)
User Input: Automatic
7- What are the required electronic components and materials for the project?
7- What are the required electronic components and materials for the project?
Component/Material
Amount
Link
Arduino UNO
1
https://www.ram-e-shop.com/shop/kit-arduino-uno-a65-arduino-uno-rev3-a65-original-chips-clone-6605
Ultrasonic Sensor
1
https://www.ram-e-shop.com/shop/kit-ultrasonic-hcsr04-ultrasonic-sensor-hc-sr04-5949
Bluetooth module
1
https://www.ram-e-shop.com/shop/kit-esp32-esp32s-30pin-esp-32s-30pin-development-board-wifi-bluetooth-with-new-cp2102-chip-7433
OLED
2
https://www.ram-e-shop.com/shop/oled-0-96-4pin-oled-0-96-4pin-lcd-display-module-i2c-iic-communicate-7772
DC Motor
1
https://store.fut-electronics.com/products/dc-geared-motors-for-robots-straight-shaft?_pos=1&_sid=91f0a5b96&_ss=r
Motor Driver
1
https://www.ram-e-shop.com/shop/kit-l298-red-l298-module-red-board-dual-h-bridge-motor-driver-using-l298n-7084
RGB LEDs
N/A
https://www.ram-e-shop.com/shop/led-rgb-5mm-round-led-rgb-5mm-full-color-6746
Acrylic Sheet 3mm
N/A
N/A
8- What are the project tasks and its time-frame?
8- What are the project tasks and its time-frame?
Task
Sub-Tasks
From:
To:
Test Components
N/A
11/9/2025
12/10/2025
Design
Model the Theo Jansen leg mechanism in CAD to ensure correct link lengths and motion.
Simulated leg movement to check stability and walking gait before fabrication.
Design the robot’s body frame, motor mounts, and electronics housing in Fusion 360.
preparing files for laser cutter and 3d printer
12/92025
14/9/2025
Electronics
Program motor control (forward, backward, stop) and tested on Tinkercad simulation.
Program Bluetooth communication module and verified phone control.
Program buzzer/speaker to output sounds and phrases and tested on Tinkercad.
Program OLED/LCD screen to display facial expressions and tested on Tinkercad.
Program Bluetooth and ultrasonic
Verifiy power system performance (battery life, voltage stability).
15/9/2025
20/9/2025
Implementation
Connected all electronic modules together and validated their interaction.
Combine mechanical legs, electronics, and control system into a single functioning prototype.
Conducted full system test with expressions, sound, and motion integrated.
20/9/2025
22/92025
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