Feathered Fiend

The Toys for Twisted Tots Feathered Fiend™ is a normal toy in the light. However, in the dark (as detected by a photoresistor), red LEDs turn on and the penguin’s head rotates slowly back and forth on a positional servo as dictated by a while loop. Dark or light, when the button is pushed (labelled “OFF” by a cardboard sign), the LEDs blink in an alternating pattern before the head spins back and forth quickly.

• Cardboard
• Positional microservo
• Thick pen you won't miss
• Copper wire
• Scissors
• Super glue
• Tape
• Ruler
• Stuffed penguin doll

Circuit:

• Arduino
• Breadboard
• 6V battery pack
• 9V battery with leads
• Jumper wires
• 4 red LEDs
• 220 Ohm resistor
• 10 kOhm resistor
• Photoresistor
• Push button

1. Assemble circuit as shown.
2. Upload attached code.

1. Cut out cardboard panels according to the drawings.
2. Assemble panels as shown. Glue one panel at a time, making sure glue is dry before adding an additional panel.
3. Use pen to puncture hole in center of the top panel. Puncture the area multiple times to diameter of about .25”; this will give the wire plenty of clearance.

1. Use the scissors to cut along the seam connecting the penguin’s head to its body. Ensure that the stuffing remains inside the head. 
2. Trace the bottom of the penguin’s head onto a piece of cardboard. Cut out the resulting circle. 
3. Glue the head to the cardboard. 
4. Pull stuffing out of the body until stuffing does not protrude over the neck and you can clear stuffing out of the center of the body. This will create space for the pen casing and the wire.
5. Unscrew the pen you don’t like and discard everything except the plastic cylinder casing. Insert this into the center of the penguin’s body where you have cleared away the stuffing.
6. Insert the wire through the pen casing into the center of the body to the bottom of the penguin. Poke lightly so you can see where the wire would emerge without bending it. Remove the wire and cut a cross shape at this location to make a hole. Clear stuffing and excess fabric away from this area.
7. Position the penguin on the cardboard box with holes aligned. Glue the feet and tail to the top of the box. Add additional glue as needed.

1. Cut and decorate sign according to the drawing.
2. Place right next to the breadboard. Isn’t it nice when people are helpful!

1. Place the servo inside the box underneath the hole (in the center of the panel). Tape down as needed.
2. Cut the wire to be about 11”. Insert it through the body of the penguin into the box until it extends about 1.5” below the servo horn.
3. Wrap the bottom end of the wire firmly around the servo horn, as close to the base as possible.
4. Take the top length of wire that protrudes from the body. Coil it into a flat disk with an outer diameter roughly equal to the penguin’s head. It should be level with the end of the penguin’s neck.
5. Turn on the circuit and allow the servo to pass through one full cycle. Turn off the circuit once the servo has returned to zero degrees. This will ensure that the head’s default position is facing forwards.
6. Glue the head to the coil of wire. Make sure the fabric from the penguin’s body remains clear of the glue; this would impede the head from turning.
7. Turn on the circuit. Feel free to shout “IT’S ALIVE! ALIVE!” and cackle in mad glee.

Without user interaction, the penguin will independently monitor the light levels in the room via photoresistor. To turn motion and LEDs on or off, adjust lights in the room accordingly (or cover/uncover the light sensor). To induce alternating LEDs and faster head motion, press the button (light or dark). To permanently stop motion, the circuit must have power removed.