Undergraduate (Archived)
Major
Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
Research Presentation Abstract
Modern animatronics are used as a tool to help engage audiences in realistic and entertaining experiences. Many animatronic figures are dynamic in movement, but static in mobility. The research presented covers the beginnings of mobile animatronic research. An animatronic bald eagle, Opportunity, was designed for that purpose. Animations for Opportunity are generated by integration of Arduino, Pololu Mini Maestro, and Hitec Servo Motors. Arduino receives signals from flex sensors which cause voltage variations when “flexed”. The 1:1 scale, animatronic eagle can be perched on the arm of an “actor” who simulates an eagle’s caretaker. The flex sensors are located within a glove on the opposite hand of the actor, allowing for hidden control of the eagle. To reduce weight, any components which can be housed outside of the eagle are located on the actor’s back. This research aims to progress the realistic appeal of animatronics by creating a mobile system.
Keywords
animatronics, interactive, mobile, engineering, themed, entertainment, eagle, bird, self, contained
Publication Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Copyright
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Principal Faculty Mentor
Dr. Biswanath Samanta
Principal Faculty Mentor Email
bsamanta@georgiasouthern.edu
Principal Faculty Mentor’s Department
Mechanical Engineering (CEIT)
Additional Faculty Mentor 1
Dr. Brian Vlcek
Additional Faculty Mentor 2
Brian Burns
Recommended Citation
Burns, Eric, "The Design of a Mobile, Animatronic Bald Eagle" (2014). Phi Kappa Phi Research Symposium (Archived). 1.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/pkp/2014/Undergraduate/1
Archived Content
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Included in
Acting Commons, Art and Design Commons, Electro-Mechanical Systems Commons, Hardware Systems Commons, Robotics Commons
The Design of a Mobile, Animatronic Bald Eagle
Modern animatronics are used as a tool to help engage audiences in realistic and entertaining experiences. Many animatronic figures are dynamic in movement, but static in mobility. The research presented covers the beginnings of mobile animatronic research. An animatronic bald eagle, Opportunity, was designed for that purpose. Animations for Opportunity are generated by integration of Arduino, Pololu Mini Maestro, and Hitec Servo Motors. Arduino receives signals from flex sensors which cause voltage variations when “flexed”. The 1:1 scale, animatronic eagle can be perched on the arm of an “actor” who simulates an eagle’s caretaker. The flex sensors are located within a glove on the opposite hand of the actor, allowing for hidden control of the eagle. To reduce weight, any components which can be housed outside of the eagle are located on the actor’s back. This research aims to progress the realistic appeal of animatronics by creating a mobile system.