This week, Parrotronix kept busy with mechanical and scenic design, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t have some fun! Members of the mechanical and electrical teams visited Home Depot to familiarize ourselves with how some of the standard materials will appear in relation to each other. It’s one thing to see schedule 40 pipe in a 3D model, but it’s totally different when comparing proportions in the real world.

We worked together on the base and perch structure that will eventually support our animatronics, which will appear similar to cypress knees. We also took some time to investigate the rockwork finishes available, and compared them with both the natural and artificial geology present at Pinecrest Gardens.

We also spoke with some industry experts who work with leading animated figure manufacturers. We gained valuable insights into how the manufacturing process works, as well as some of the innovative techniques some of the most advanced animated robotics employ to achieve realistic, reliable motion. Although we aren’t producing animatronics worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, we’re still striving to implement this important advice in our control algorithms and mechanical interfaces. With all of this work, we’re prepared just in time for our first meeting with a Qualitative Review Board from IPPD for some valuable engineering feedback.