To design an interactive system that makes resourceful use of simple mechanical and electronic components, optimising their use to create complex, state-based responses to user input and produce varied, expressive movements.
Focus
Mechatronics · Interaction Design · C++
Timeline
4 Weeks · 2026
Toolkit
Arduino · Fusion 360 · Figma · 3D printing
How Baymini feels
Baymini reads pats, a hand over its mouth, and the passing of time. It answers with breathing, eyebrows, and movement. Pick an emotion to see what triggers it and how Baymini responds.
What Baymini senses
- Pat at a consistent rhythm
- Play peekaboo with Baymini
What Baymini does
- Eyebrows raise
- Breathing gets faster
Four gears driven by one servo control both eyebrows, allowing Baymini to produce multiple expressive positions.
A 2:1 gear ratio increases the available torque while maintaining the required range of eyebrow movement.
Bearings support the gears and reduce friction, allowing the mechanism to move smoothly.
A Cam and follower mechanism converts continuous DC motor rotation into the lateral movement of Baymini's fabric-covered stomach.
An elliptical cam profile was used to replicate the natural rise-and-fall motion of breathing.
A hemispherical follower tip spreads the contact force across the fabric, reducing localised pressure and preventing damage during repeated movement.
An Arduino Uno processes sensor inputs and controls Baymini's movements according to its emotional state.
A piezo disk detects pats and their rhythm, allowing Baymini to respond differently to consistent and inconsistent interactions.
A ToF sensor detects when a hand is placed near Baymini's mouth and measures its distance to the sensor.
A breadboard power supply module provides separate 5 V and 3.3 V rails, allowing the motors and controller to be powered independently.
