Introducing The Mantis: My Latest Animatronic Head Creation

Hello everyone,

It's been a while since my last project update, but I'm excited to share my latest creation with you all—an animatronic head that I've named "The Mantis." This project has been a labor of love, and I’m thrilled with how it's turned out. Here’s a detailed look at its features and functionality.

Enhanced Expressiveness

One of the major improvements in The Mantis is its ability to show more defined expressions, especially anger and fear. This has been made possible with a more advanced eyebrow system. The eyebrows are now capable of subtle movements that greatly enhance the emotional range of the animatronic head.

Eye Mechanism

I've also upgraded the eyes to be more functional and realistic. One eye is equipped with a light sensor, which allows it to react to changes in lighting conditions—an essential feature for making the head seem more lifelike. The other eye is currently just a placeholder dot, but I plan to upgrade it soon.

Compact Design

Compared to my previous creations, The Mantis boasts a much more compact design. This was achieved by carefully planning the internal components and optimizing the space for the eyebrow mechanisms. The result is a sleek and efficient animatronic head that looks and moves more naturally.

Future Plans: Syncing Audio with Movement

While The Mantis is already capable of moving its eyes, eyebrows, and mouth, my next goal is to sync audio with the mouth movements. This would transform The Mantis into an audio-animatronic, capable of speaking and reacting in real-time. I’m excited about the possibilities this will open up for interactive displays and performances.

Why "The Mantis"?

The name "The Mantis" was inspired by the head's appearance, which I found to resemble that of a mantis. The sleek, angular features give it a distinctive look that stands out from my previous projects.

Here are a few photos and videos of The Mantis in action:

I hope you enjoy seeing the progress I’ve made on this project. As always, I appreciate your feedback and support. Stay tuned for more updates as I work towards making The Mantis even more interactive and lifelike!

Best regards,

Pranavsai Gandikota