A 3D Printed Robot Petting Zoo Celebrates Broken Prints

A group of fourth and fifth graders in California is building more than 20 animatronic animals for Maker Faire Bay Area. These aren't static prints sitting on a shelf. They move, light up, and respond to touch. And the broken versions are on display right next to the working ones.

The Robot Petting Zoo project, run through 3D Zoo, gives each young maker an animal to design and animate. Some kids model from scratch. Others download existing 3D models and modify them for movement. Once the body prints, they add LEDs, servos, motors, or gear systems. Ember the Dragon has an articulated spine and LED eyes that turn on with a chest button. Glow Jelly is a translucent blue jellyfish with an internal LED ring. Lumi the Duck doubles as a nightlight, with a head tap changing the brightness.

Inchy the Caterpillar uses 12 printed sections linked together. An Arduino Nano, a small servo, and a sound sensor let it inch forward when you clap. Cog the Owl runs on hand-cranked gears inside his chest, no batteries needed. Pip the Rabbit has a print-in-place body and ears that wiggle when you press his paw.

Plate the Armadillo took 11 prints to complete. That number is the whole point of the exhibit. The kids are showing the failures alongside the successes. Visitors can ask what went wrong, how it was fixed, and what they would change next time.

Maker Faire Bay Area runs September 25 through 27 at Mare Island in Vallejo, California. The Robot Petting Zoo will have more than 20 creatures ready for hands-on interaction by then.