Asi, a 3D Printed Wearable Robot Friend

2021-10-11 | By Jorvon Moss

License: See Original Project

Asi, short for Anansi, from the African folklore tale, is a wearable robot that can be worn on your head. I designed Asi to be lightweight and with the ball joint legs strong enough to hold on to your head.

Print the Parts

The first thing is to print the parts. Files can be downloaded here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4996778. Since this is a heavy 3D print project, you will either need a printer.

STLs:

Bottom Ball rack x1
Ball ring X1
Teeth Rack x1
Front Jaw x1
Servo Base x1
Ring x1
Asi Legs x4
Small Asi legs x2
Logo Head x1
Eyes x1

stls_1

Screws:

6x5-Bolt x6
Nuts x6

Electronics:

Adafruit Trinket x1
Servo x1
LEDs x4
Battery x1 (I prefer Adafruit lithium batteries)

Assembly

After you print your parts, I recommend gluing the Bottom sections together as shown.

assembly_2

As I have stated before, this is a heavy 3D print project, so I recommend printing these parts and the legs first because it's the fastest way. Once you print the legs, attach them with the screw and bolt. If everything was done correctly, you should have these parts on your desk.

print_3

setup_4

The Electronics

I used the same circuit and code for the Asi bots that was used in a Zelda build on Adafruit, so PLEASE take a look. (https://learn.adafruit.com/guardian-robot-zelda-botw/circuit-diagram)

diagram_5

Of course, I recommend putting the circuit together first, but make sure you print the eye sockets and glue the LEDs inside them before attaching the full circuit. You will want to make sure the wires can reach.

glue_6

Fit the circuit inside the open area of the Ball ring.

circuit_7

Next, get the servo and the printed servo base. Stick the servo into the base and attach it to the ball ring. I recommend using hot glue. There is a cut in the servo base where the wires can slide through.

servo_8

Make sure you test the circuit to make sure the servo works, and the LEDs light up.

Attach a servo horn to the top of the Asi Head

horn_9

Attach the servo from the base to the head. If you have trouble aligning the holes, take the servo out of the holder, attach it to the head, then slide it back into the servo holder.

attach_10