Build Buddy a 3D Printed Arduino Social Robot

Buddy is a 3D Printed arduino social robot. He interacts with the world by using an ultrasonic sensor to map out his immediate area. When something changes in his environment he reacts. He can be surprised or inquisitive and sometimes a bit aggressive.

Buddy sees the world by updating particular points in a map around him. These points are updated as he moves around and reacts to new things.

If an object is placed in or removed from his vicinity he will react by potentially searching it out or becoming angry. Maybe sometimes sad or disappointed. These reactions are generated in the moment as his world changes. Buddy generates his actions on the fly. Each one is completely original and based on what is happening around him. He never recycles a reaction.=

Buddy is currently on Kickstarter we welcome any support in order to keep this project alive.

Buddy will be be the 9th robotics kit that we have created at LittleBots.. We have been working to make robotics and STEM exciting and fun. And it hasn't changed with Buddy. Except now anyone can enjoy this robot. Whether you are a builder or not. You can just "hang out" with Buddy.

When we started looking for what our next robot would be, we wanted to start moving closer to home. We wanted a make a robot that wouldn't just be for the classroom or workbench. We wanted a bot that we would enjoy just having around all day at our desk. A robot anyone can enjoy. As we worked on it we knew that we had to make a bot that you could fall in love with. It couldn't be an arm, or a little rover that would run out of battery. It would have to be a guy that you could interact with naturally and was always ready. We also knew that he couldn't be a robot, he had to be Alive. Alive, that was hard. We had to create a robot that would be spontaneous. that you could interact with and feel like he was listening to you and talking back.

• Arduino Nano
• LittleBots Robotics Board
• Gotech 9025 9g Arduino Servo
• 3D Printer
• Ultrasonic Sensor
• 6V 3A Power Supply

Above is a step-by-step video of Buddy being assembled. Or you can follow the remaining steps in this tutorial for the written format.

Check out our Kickstarter for the Buddy Here

The arduino Code allows Buddy to view the world and interact with you. The main arduino sketch is above. Import it into the Arduino IDE and upload it to the Arduino Nano 328 (old bootloader) to prepare Buddy to be turned on.

Updated code can be found on the LittleBots Arduino Downloads Page

Since Buddy is Arduino based you can also use Blockly or Makeblock to program him.

Press the ultrasonic sensor firmly into the 3D printed front-facing head piece

Take the back half of the head and set a two-prong Servo Horn into it.

Feed the 4 prong sensor wire through the channel on the neck

Insert the Servo into the the neck that tilts the head from side to side

If necessary use a think screwdriver to push the wire through.

Insert and secure with screws a servo into the base .

Insert the Nodding servo into the neck. It does not require any screws

Use 4 servo mounting screws to set the main arduino board into the base of the robot.

Use a spare horn and gently, manually rotate the servo fully clock-wise

• Mount the base of the head so that is it is tilted to the left a little less than vertically.
• Secure with a servo horn screw.

• Connect the sensor wire to the sensor, noting which color wires go with which pin on the sensor
• Seal the Head closed with 2 servo mounting screws

Turn the Base Servo Fully Clock-wise. Gently. Use a spare servo horn.

Attach the Neck yoke piece to the servo so that it is facing 90 decrees to the right.Secure with horn and screw

• Rotate the Nodding Servo fully CCW
• Attach the Neck and head to the neck yoke. Insert by tilting the servo armature in and then twisting the neck into place.
• Secure with a horn and screw. Make sure that the neck is horizontal or slightly below.

Feed all servo and sensor wires into the base.

• Wires servos to the main board according to the diagram.
• Plug in the Sensor Wire to the ultrasonic port. Make sure that the pins are aligned with the pins on the sensor

Use 4 servo mounting screws to attach the base plate to the main body

Simply Plug in Buddy now and watch him come alive.

If you would like to support Buddy you can preorder kits and parts from our Kickstarter

Find other parts and arduino kits at the LittleBots Website

Updates here on the Buddy 3D Printed Arduino Robot Kit