Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Welcome to Part 2 of the Roving Mad Scientist Animatronic series! After hacking our high-powered electric wheelchair base in Part 1, we are moving on to the upper structure and a massive electronics upgrade.
In this episode, we engineer a sturdy 5/8-inch plywood torso base and custom angle-bracket mounts to lock down the iconic "head-in-a-cage" frame. With the character assembled, we dive into a mind-blowing puppeteering setup: using a customized infrared reflector hat and an IR camera to capture real-time head-tracking data, alongside a manual joystick for eye movement and a button-activated jaw for our character, Dr. Chopinkopf!
Finally, we push the limits with a complex long-distance wireless test. Using a RunCam Spotter for an FPV video feed, a Light-O-Rama Easy Light Linker for telemetry, and a custom audio transmitter, we attempt the ultimate challenge: driving the high-powered wheelchair and animating the head completely blind from inside the garage!
馃晵 Timestamps:
路0:00 - The Plan: Head-in-a-Cage Structure & Electronics Test
路0:11 - Fabricating the Plywood Base & Cage Mounting Blocks
路1:06 - Assembling the Cage & Positioning the Rear Maintenance Door
路2:08 - The Head-Tracking Rig: Infrared Camera & Reflector Hat Setup
路3:17 - Joystick & Button Mapping for Eye and Jaw Control
路3:34 - Dr. Chopinkopf Local Tethered Diagnostics Test
路4:48 - Long-Distance Gear: RunCam FPV, 12V Regulator, & Audio Transmitters
路6:52 - Inside the Garage: Setting Up the Control Station Screens & Mics
路7:21 - The Moment of Truth: Wireless Bench Test & Distance Feedback
路8:21 - The Ultimate Driveway Test Drive: Complete Remote Control FPV Run!
路10:57 - Outro & What's Next in Part 3: Overcoming the Audio Issues, Building the Legs & Torso
#Animatronics #DIYProps #Maker #ElectricWheelchairHack #MadScientist #HalloweenProps #Robotics #WirelessControl #LightORama #PropMaking #DIYRobotics #SpecialEffects #HeadTracking #FPVCamera #DrChopinkopf
Welcome to Part 2 of the Roving Mad Scientist Animatronic series! After hacking our high-powered electric wheelchair base in Part 1, we are moving on to the upper structure and a massive electronics upgrade.
In this episode, we engineer a sturdy 5/8-inch plywood torso base and custom angle-bracket mounts to lock down the iconic "head-in-a-cage" frame. With the character assembled, we dive into a mind-blowing puppeteering setup: using a customized infrared reflector hat and an IR camera to capture real-time head-tracking data, alongside a manual joystick for eye movement and a button-activated jaw for our character, Dr. Chopinkopf!
Finally, we push the limits with a complex long-distance wireless test. Using a RunCam Spotter for an FPV video feed, a Light-O-Rama Easy Light Linker for telemetry, and a custom audio transmitter, we attempt the ultimate challenge: driving the high-powered wheelchair and animating the head completely blind from inside the garage!
馃晵 Timestamps:
路0:00 - The Plan: Head-in-a-Cage Structure & Electronics Test
路0:11 - Fabricating the Plywood Base & Cage Mounting Blocks
路1:06 - Assembling the Cage & Positioning the Rear Maintenance Door
路2:08 - The Head-Tracking Rig: Infrared Camera & Reflector Hat Setup
路3:17 - Joystick & Button Mapping for Eye and Jaw Control
路3:34 - Dr. Chopinkopf Local Tethered Diagnostics Test
路4:48 - Long-Distance Gear: RunCam FPV, 12V Regulator, & Audio Transmitters
路6:52 - Inside the Garage: Setting Up the Control Station Screens & Mics
路7:21 - The Moment of Truth: Wireless Bench Test & Distance Feedback
路8:21 - The Ultimate Driveway Test Drive: Complete Remote Control FPV Run!
路10:57 - Outro & What's Next in Part 3: Overcoming the Audio Issues, Building the Legs & Torso
#Animatronics #DIYProps #Maker #ElectricWheelchairHack #MadScientist #HalloweenProps #Robotics #WirelessControl #LightORama #PropMaking #DIYRobotics #SpecialEffects #HeadTracking #FPVCamera #DrChopinkopf
