Twitchie Scorpion

Craft & Design Technology Yarncraft
Twitchie Scorpion

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I made this scorpion toy with a Twitchie Robot Kit. I’m really afraid of scorpions where I live in Arizona, so I thought a friendly toy would help me get used to them. I made his plush body from some fabric I had around, aiming to make him look like an Arizona bark scorpion, which are tan/yellowish/translucent. Twitchie is Arduino powered and comes pre-programmed, so it’s an excellent kit for beginners in robotics, because no programming is required! You can download and modify the code if you want, and it’s pretty light on the soldering, too. I’d recommend Twitchie for young makers (boys & girls, too!) interested in robotics or moving plush toys. You can buy the Twitchie Robot Kit in the Maker Shed:
http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKTET2

Music is “At the Crack of Noon” by Shuutobi, http://shuutobi.com

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Craft & Design Fun & Games Robotics
Twitchie scorpion – HOW TO – Make a robotic scorpion


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I made this scorpion toy with a Twitchie Robot Kit. I’m really afraid of scorpions where I live in Arizona, so I thought a friendly toy would help me get used to them. I made his plush body from some fabric I had around, aiming to make him look like an Arizona bark scorpion, which are tan/yellowish/translucent. Watch the video for build details, and here’s a list of materials I used:

  • Twitchie Robot Kit
  • 3 pieces of scrap wood
  • 1 drywall screw for non-driven front leg
  • hot glue
  • fabric for plush body
  • plush stuffing
  • thread & embroidery floss

Twitchie is Arduino powered and comes pre-programmed, so it’s an excellent kit for beginners in robotics, because no programming is required! You can download and modify the code if you want, and it’s pretty light on the soldering, too. I’d recommend Twitchie for young makers (boys & girls, too!) interested in robotics or moving plush toys. If you have an idea for what I should name my new friend, let me know in the comments! All I’ve come up with so far is “Scott.”

Music in the video is “At the Crack of Noon” by Shuutobi.

Makershedsmall
Mktet2-3
Twitchie Robot Kit

More build photos:

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SANY0293.JPG


10 thoughts on “Twitchie scorpion – HOW TO – Make a robotic scorpion

  1. Cobwebs says:

    He’s adorable!

    How about “Klaus” or “Lothar?”

    (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scorpions_(band))

  2. yachris says:

    Any chance you could remix the sound on the video? The music is way too loud — I kept having to dive for the volume knob. Thanks!

    Nice construction, great crafting of the body, but as a confirmed scorpion-o-phobe I still don’t see the point :-)

  3. Twitchie scorpion – HOW TO – Make a robotic scorpion Becky Stern says:

    @yachris I swapped the video out for a one with a *hopefully* more volume-friendly experience. =]

  4. Sean Ragan says:

    My vote is for “Gilgamesh.”

    Seriously, this is a way cool use for Twitchie. Plushification is a great way to deal with anxieties. Witness plush microbes and plush chestbursters and Dread Plush Cthulhu. I’d like to see plush global warming or a plush dirty bomb. Perhaps plush VX gas.

  5. Matt Mets says:

    Its cute ! I like the direction you are taking with your work.

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Becky Stern is a Content Creator at Autodesk/Instructables, and part time faculty at New York’s School of Visual Arts Products of Design grad program. Making and sharing are her two biggest passions, and she's created hundreds of free online DIY tutorials and videos, mostly about technology and its intersection with crafts. Find her @bekathwia on YouTube/Twitter/Instagram.

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