This Raspberry Pi Pico Project
This Raspberry Pi Pico project brings Babbage the Bear to life using servos and Python. It's a treat for fans of the Raspberry Pi mascot, whether you've seen him at events or have one of his official plush toys. Babbage is an icon for the community and for good reason. Now, thanks to Wayne, a Raspberry Pi maker and developer known as RamblingGeek on Youtube and Twitter, Babbage has come to life.
Wayne, also known as RamblingGeek, is in the early stages of development with his Babbage Bot project. Watching the Raspberry Pi mascot move around is already adorable. The project's mechanics are simple, making it easy to create your own Babbage Bot with materials you may already have at home.
The Mechanics
Babbage Bot's arms can currently perform simple movements. Two servo motors allow him to move back and forth, while sticks inserted into his arms enable up and down motion. Admittedly, this approach is a bit of cheating, as the sticks are sturdy and rigid, and additional motors and a controller board would be needed to move the joints themselves.
Expanding the range of motion is straightforward and serves as a starting point for those interested in learning about basic robotics. Babbage Bot can also be controlled using a keyboard, providing a nice safety net.
The Project Components
The project consists of a Raspberry Pi Pico and two servo motors for controlling the arms. The sticks attaching to the arms can be made from scrap wood or any suitable material available in your garage or workshop.
Although there is no indication of a battery at the moment, a long-term solution that makes Babbage Bot mobile would be delightful. Imagine him riding around on a toy car! Wayne has made the Python code available on his RamblingGeek website, allowing others to learn from the project.
Future Updates
Wayne has plans for future updates to the project. These include adding four-directional head movement and the possibility of incorporating a speaker for ChatGPT speech capabilities. For now, Babbage the Bear has a new lease on life, and that's something worth celebrating.
If you're interested in more fun Raspberry Pi projects, check out our breakdown of the best Raspberry Pi games or enjoy some of the funniest Raspberry Pi jokes. Additionally, explore the Raspberry Pi community with our directory of the best Raspberry Pi blogs.
