A private conversation
This animatronic piece interacts with the audience. It switches on if it detects the presence of someone and the people chat. If the person gets too close the people stop their discussions and turn to stare at the interloper.
The figures are carved from lime wood and the mechanism is mainly beech. Finished with acrylic paints and varnishes. The heads have 2 coats of acrylic lacquer finished with a coat of matt finish giving a very pleasing sheen.
The piece is controlled by an Arduino micro-controller.
Height 34cms (approx 13.5 inches)
Width 24 cms
Depth 22 cms
The figures are carved from lime wood and finished with acrylic paints and lacquers. Finally a coat of matt finish is applied to give a very attractive sheen.
Has 2 operating modes.
Gallery - fully automatic and switches off after 30 seconds of no activity, switching on again if anyone is in the vicinity.
Manual - switched on and off with the red button. Will automatically switch off if no interaction during 2 minutes.
12 volt power supply and Arduino micro controller.
Eyes protrude when the people stare.
High level of finish. Cam followers with nylon rollers and push rods have brass and lignum vitae pads. Lignum vitae is a very hard self lubricating wood.
Brass is used for most actuators for strength and compactness.
Lignum vitae cam with adjustable lignum vitae cam follower insert for lubrication and hard wearing properties.
Adjustable brass counterweights with boxwood pegs.
View of mechanism with adjustable counterweight.