From the Editor's Desk
Tips and tidbits from readers like you.Page 06
Make: Volume 93 — How to Train Your Robot
Humanoid robots aren’t just for mega-corps and secretive startups. In this issue of Make:, we show you how to use AI programs and open source plans to experiment and build your own humanoid helpers right now! In our cover story, build VoxHead, a fully animated, embodied AI, humanoid head from scratch. Then we catch up with Gael Langevin about the continuing evolution of open source humanoid InMoov: new facial expressions, integrated AI, and even synthetic skin! Plus, humanoid robots need a trusty canine companion — build a cute, athletic, quadruped pupper with an AI chatbot brain and powerful QDD actuators. But how do we make all these futuristic robots move? Dive into our primer on field-oriented control for brushless motors, the tech that lets bots run and jump like never before.
Then, we revisit our ultimate maker tools for your workshop. The kicker: a pie-in-the-sky workshop from 20 years ago is now affordable for makers! But our visit to Lawrence Berkeley National Labs also shows there’s always a crazier workshop out there.
On the Cover: VoxHead is an open-source humanoid robot with onboard AI, dual eyecams, and facial expressions. Photos: Michael Brady (VoxHead), Nathan Kau (Pupper)
Table of Contents
Columns
Welcome: Will Robots Do What We Want?
Dale Dougherty
Integrating AI into humanoid robots opens a whole new world of artificial companionship.Page 07
Made on Earth
Compact Landscapes
Jennifer Strand
Shannon Taylor creates intricate diorama scenes within beautiful cosmetic compacts.Page 08
Seeing Sounds and Hearing Colors
Cabe Atwell
At Maker Faire Bay Area 2024, William Cenoté serenaded visitors to the Dark Room with the Luminescent Grand, an LED synesthetic piano that combines sound and visual art.Page 10
VR-cade
Marshall Piros
Spacebar Arcade is a virtual reality arcade experience accessed and accentuated by a giant real-world arcade cabinet.Page 11
Features
MacGyver in a Box
Richard Hale, Lee Zlotoff, and Bob Childs
Can we MacGyver the world, one village at a time?Page 12
Workshop
Making Science
Kevin Toyama
Inside the amazing, make-anything fabrication shops at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.Page 14
The Maker's Ultimate Tools Revisited
Saul Griffith
Want the tools to make (almost) anything? Aspirational 20 years ago, they’re now affordable.Page 18
Designed and Made in San Francisco
Diego Fonstad
Manufacturing “small batch” educational electronics in a 1,000-square-foot studio.Page 22
Okay Robot
Anatomy of a Humanoid Robot
Benjie Holson
What’s with all the people-shaped robots all of a sudden? Why now?Page 26
Skin Deep
Dale Dougherty
Evolving open source robot InMoov’s facial expressions with AI.Page 30
VoxHead
Michael C. Brady
Building a fully animated, embodied AI, humanoid head from scratch.Page 34
Smart Dog!
Nathan Kau
Good dog! Build a cute, athletic quadruped with an AI chatbot brain and powerful QDD actuators.Page 38
Robot Arm Sketchbot
Matt Eaton
Inverse kinematics can amplify the capabilities of animatronics, lifelike robots, or robot arms like this one. Getting started is easier than you think!Page 44
Project
Go Make a Kite
Lindsey Johnson
Build and fly a lively, no-sew kite using Tyvek fabric and 3D-printed connectors.Page 50
Fiber Optic Nixie Clock
Terra Gilbert
This modern mashup mimics classic neon counters.Page 62
Tiny Houseboat
David Lang and Eric Stackpole
Build a fold-up, solar-powered mini houseboat and embark on new adventures afloat!Page 68
DIY Bricks
Doug Stowe
Design and customize your own Lego-compatible blocks for 3D printing.Page 74
Squishy Tech: Creative Interference
Lee Wilkins
Block-print computational moiré patterns with Open Press Project and p5.js.Page 78
A Muesli Machine for Makers
Thomas Garaio
Oxocard helps dispense your favorite cereal snacks at the push of a button.Page 84
Electronics Fun and Fundamentals: Laser Messaging
Charles Platt
Pulse a laser using logic chips to send secret codes securely.Page 90
Toy Inventor’s Notebook: Upcycle Old Toys
Bob Knetzger
Transform vintage playthings into new crafts and functional art.Page 98
DIY Energy
Disposable Vape Power Bank
Chris Doel
Build a 100W fast-charging battery bank using lithium cells salvaged from disposable vapes.Page 104
Skill Builder
FOC Motor Control
Richard Unger
Max power and precision from brushless motors, using field-oriented control with Arduino.Page 112
DIY Soft Switches
Kate Hartman
How to make flexible pushbuttons and switches for wearable electronics.Page 118
Toolbox
Review: GroomYY1 PCB Assembly Bundle
David J. Groom
Page 122
Review: Redgrass R9 Solo
David J. Groom
Page 123
Review: Procolored F13$
Matt Stultz
Page 123
Review: F1 Ultra
Matt Stultz
Page 124
Review: Hoto Tools
David J. Groom
Page 124
Review: iFixit FixHub
David J. Groom
Page 126
Review: Elephant Robotics myAGV
David J. Groom
Page 126
Over the Top
All Tooled Up
David J. Groom
Sometimes you need something a little bit extra in your workshop.Page 128
