TJ* is an customizable robot performer / tech toy for you or your kids! Make his eyes and mouth move via servos over Arduino!
What is TJ*?
- He's a remote-control toy for creative kids,
- He's a tinkering platform for electronics hackers,
- He's an education tool for tech-savvy parents and educators.
Physically, TJ* is about 3/5 the size of my head, and he’s made of fiberboard (but he’s also available in colored plastic). His eyes move up/down and left/right, and his mouth moves open/closed. His moving parts are driven by 3 micro servos (tiny motors with position control circuits built in).
By the time the Kickstarter campaign ends, TJ* will be ready to take home and play with, and ready to be on camera performing! He awaits a new home with you, or a script to perform for you!
Here's what TJ* looks like in my CAD model...
... and this is what TJ* looks like off the laser cutter. I gave him some masking-tape-and-marker eyes.
So... is he a fully functioning robot?
At his core, TJ* is a mechanical platfom with servos ready for electronic integration. Don’t tell him, but he doesn’t have a brain - he needs a servo controller to run! Fortunately for him, I’ve developed a controller using Arduino, the open-source microcontroller platform.
A Complete TJ* Kit will ship with a brand-new Arduino Uno pre-loaded with code to run TJ* with the included puppeteer’s controller for his eyes and mouth. TJ* will run with live control and record-playback functionality too! You’ll be able to play with TJ* as soon as you power up his controller (see the FAQ below for how to plug him in).
If you’re interested in servo robotics, or if you already have an Arduino or other servo controller of your own, I’m happy to ship you a Maker’s TJ* Kit with the necessary connectors so you can start controlling him yourself. Sample code to get him running will be available by the time you get your TJ* in hand!
What can TJ* do?
TJ* is a very talented performer - or at least he will be, in your hands! You can dress him up as much as you'd like, and record TJ* mouthing out monologues from your favorite movies, have him sit on top of your cookie jar and keep an eye out... or he can keep you company at work.
If you don't want at TJ* of your own, you can watch him on TV... and by TV I mean YouTube, where he's hoping to have a channel someday soon.
Sounds like my kids would like TJ*!
I bet you're right! If you like toys and technology, TJ* is for you. Not only can you and your child decorate TJ* together, but you can show your child how cool technology can be. Use TJ* as a tech puppet and your child is all set to create a story with TJ*. As your child grows older, you can introduce your child to the world of software tech by developing TJ*s programming together and have fun getting TJ* to do new and different things.
Cool. How about some sweet upgrades?
Absolutely!
- You can get TJ* in colored plastic by adding the additional cost to any pledge. It's available in opaque and transparent colors. This is what Acrylic stock from TAP plastics (a local supplier) looks like!
- If you'd rather not see TJ*s skeleton, I'll ship you a Paper 'Skin' for TJ* that's nicer than the one he wears in the video. Over the next few weeks, I'll refine TJ*s skin pattern and post photos of the different options.
- A lot of people have told me that he’d look really cool with LED eyes. I’m building an optional LED eye upgrade for TJ* and I'll post photos of this over the next few weeks too.
For all options, you'll be able to select your color choices through a KickStarter survey once TJ* is funded! I'm sure your TJ* will appreciate all of your efforts to make him look cool. It'll do wonders for his self-esteem.
That’s preposterous... Robots don’t have feelings!
Well. That’s another topic for another time. TJ* is ready to rock your world in his current form, but the next version, Emotive TJ*, will have two more servos. He’ll be able to smile/frown and raise/lower his brow. When you see that, I challenge you not to perceive feelings coming from his sensitive robot heart... err... microprocessor.
What else is next for TJ*?
- I'll be using the funds from Kickstarter to make the first batch of TJ*s at TechShop and shoot some by-request videos starring TJ*!
- I'll be developing Emotive TJ* and sharing the progress this summer with Kickstarter backers. This version of TJ* needs an updated paper skin to make him look and feel even friendlier, and I'll be working on a few versions of that too!
- TJ* is a talented performer who wants his own YouTube channel. If I get enough TJ*s into the world, we can create a community of robot performers and inspire each other and our kids with the combination of storytelling and technology!
FAQ
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Right! Since these are add-ons, people shouldn't actually pledge in these categories. You can still add them to any $50 or higher reward.
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Just a power supply for the Arduino and servos! The servos run off the Arduino's 5V line, so you're all set if you power the Arduino with a USB A-B cable like this one: http://www.kalron.com/kalstor/images/i/std/cusb2ambmblk.jpg Since most people have one of these from their printer or other device, I didn't include one in the kit.
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The Maker's version of the kit comes assembled with servos installed. You'll need a way to power and control servos. I'll publish an easy wiring diagram to run the servos off an Arduino. With some wire, an Arduino, a power supply (see the question above about the Complete TJ* kit), and some controls (the prototype in the video uses the Sparkfun Joystick Shield on an Arduino Uno), you should be good to go!
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Not immediately. Right now TJ* is quite difficult to assemble and I don't want to put anyone through the trouble of getting him together. Once I improve his design and develop Emotive TJ*, I'm considering open-sourcing the current version!
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Just add everything up (i.e. pledge 120 + 10 + 30 + 16 = 176), select the base option (A Complete TJ* Kit), give me the heads up as you just did. When the project is funded you'll get either a 'survey' through KickStarter or an email from me that I'll use as an order form!
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Pledge $5 or more
You selected19 backers
FRIEND OF TJ* -- Thanks for your support! You’ve helped bring TJ* to life, and he’s a loyal guy. I'll send you a link to a thank you web page, where live, working TJ* will thank you for your support and you’ll be listed as a backer!
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Pledge $10 or more
You selected12 backers
TJ* KNOWS YOUR NAME -- I’ll shoot a video of TJ* personally thanking you by name and put it on TJ*s web page (or email it to you directly, if you prefer).
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Pledge $15 or more
You selected9 backers
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER CREDIT -- You’ve got stories to tell. TJ* and I will shoot an up-to-1 minute video with your script and your storyboard (up to 4 shots)! For an extra $5 we can afford to hire two TJ* actors (in different colors). Start writing your IMDB bio!
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Pledge $16 or more
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YOU LIGHT UP TJ*S LIFE -- Add this to any TJ* kit order for light-up controllable LED eyes! Your choice of color, selectable by survey.
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Pledge $30 or more
You selected1 backer All gone!
DRESS TJ* UP IN YOUR LOVE -- Add this to any TJ* kit order for a hand-made paper skin! Your choice of colors for head, jaw, and accessories, selectable by survey.
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Pledge $50 or more
You selected102 backers
A TJ* KIT - FOR ELECTRONICS MAKERS -- This option is for people who already have an Arduino. I’ll send you a fully-fabricated TJ* with the 3 drive servos installed. You'll have full access to a ‘How to set up TJ* with Arduino’ guide. Add $10 for plastic instead of MDF, and $10 more for international shipping.
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Pledge $90 or more
You selected17 backers
CONVERSATION KIT - FOR ELECTRONICS MAKERS -- Prevent TJ* from getting lonely and save a buck or two! Order 2 of the above TJ* units. Add $18 for plastic instead of MDF, and $20 for international shipping.
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Pledge $120 or more
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A COMPLETE TJ* KIT -- I’ll send you a working TJ* with 3 drive servos installed and a controller including an Arduino Uno and all the electronics to run him. All you need to add is a power source, which you probably have lying around the house already. TJ* will work virtually out of the box! Add $10 for plastic instead of MDF, and $10 more for international shipping.
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Pledge $200 or more
You selected8 backers
COMPLETE TJ* CONVERSATION KIT -- Prevent TJ* from getting lonely and save a buck or two! Order 2 of the above TJ* units. Add $18 for plastic instead of MDF, and $20 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $256 or more
You selected57 backers
EMOTIVE TJ* + A COMPLETE TJ* KIT -- I’ll ship you everything in a “Complete TJ* Kit” and, when I develop TJ*s next two degrees of freedom (brow raise/lower and mouth smile/frown), I’ll send you a “Brainless” Emotive TJ* and any extra electronics you need to run Emotive TJ* on the Arduino from the Complete kit.
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Funding period
- (29 days)
