Bringing Gizmo to Life
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Our student team worked together to create an animatronic Gizmo from Gremlins. As the electrical engineer on the team, I contributed to the digital model, electrical assembly, movement programming, and testing. I also sewed and attached all of Gizmo’s fur and added the final details that brought the character to life.
THE PROCESS
I helped create the digital model as well as helped with the decisions about servos, electronic hardware, and materials for the printed components. During the build, I contributed to the wiring, soldering, electrical assembly, and testing needed to bring the different parts of the animatronic together.
I also used Bottango to program and test Gizmo’s movements. This required making adjustments and testing repeatedly to create motions that worked with the character’s mechanical design. The video below demonstrates the testing of the mouth.
BALANCING MOVEMENT AND APPEARANCE
I sewed and attached all of Gizmo’s fur, which allowed me to contribute to both the technical and creative sides of the project. As I added the fur, I had to make sure it maintained Gizmo’s recognizable appearance without restricting the movement of the animatronic.
TEAM COLLABORATION
I worked alongside students in mechanical engineering, engineering technology and management, and computer science. Each person brought a different area of experience to the project, so communication was important when combining the frame, electronics, software, movement, and final appearance.
I created the sewing patterns, cut and assembled the fur pieces, and attached them to Gizmo while making sure they did not restrict the animatronic’s movement.
Throughout the project, our team tested the electronics, movement, fit, and appearance of the character. The final result was a functional animatronic Gizmo that combined the work of several engineers. We presented the completed project and explained our process, individual contributions, and lessons learned.
TESTING AND FINAL RESULT
This project showed me how much I enjoy work that brings engineering and creativity together. I strengthened my electrical assembly and testing skills, learned from teammates in other disciplines, and gained experience considering how technical decisions can affect both movement and appearance. I also learned how to work with different types of engineers on a project.
WHAT I LEARNED
Using Bottango, I programmed Gizmo’s eyes, mouth, ears, and head rotation. This recorded test demonstrates the operational mouth movement.
Early research, calculations, and sketches used to explore servo selection, eye movement, and possible mechanical designs.
Aircraft Wiring Documentation and Training
Updating Wiring Diagram Manual pages for a Flat Panel Display System installation and creating training resources for future avionics interns and hires.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
- Completed the assigned FPDS wiring update package
- Created two training modules
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Presented the project during my internship capstone
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Strengthened my attention to detail and technical communication
PROJECT RESULTS
During my avionics internship, I completed a four to five week Wiring Diagram Manual update package for a Flat Panel Display System installation. Using changes provided in an engineering work package, I updated the controlled aircraft wiring documents and worked through several rounds of engineering review.
MY PROCESS
I reviewed the changes in the engineering work package, applied them to the correct diagram pages, and checked wire information, connector pins, and references across multiple pages. After each review, I corrected the identified details and prepared the package for another engineering check.
TRAINING MODULES
After learning the documentation process, I realized there were no training modules created for wiring diagram modifications. I created two training modules to help future interns and avionics hires get started. The modules explain how to begin a wiring diagram manual assignment, follow drawing conventions, make changes, and check work before submitting it for review.
A slide from my internship capstone explaining why I created two Wiring Diagram Manual training modules and how they could help future interns and avionics hires learn the documentation process.
The Boeing 767 I worked on during my internship while updating wiring documentation for its Flat Panel Display System installation.
The aircraft flight deck after the Flat Panel Display System installation, showing the updated displays supported by the wiring documentation I worked on.
Solving a Flickering Display Issue
Developing and documenting a solution for a display issue that had halted production at Ferno-Washington.
During my internship at Ferno-Washington, production on a product had stopped because of a display light that would not stop flickering. I investigated the issue, tested possible changes, and developed a solution that allowed production to move forward.
The video on the left shows the display system before it was fixed. The light is flickering.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
I used a multimeter to measure the voltage reaching the display lights and discovered that they were only receiving 3.3 volts instead of the required 5 volts. Based on this finding, we added voltage boost converter modules to increase the supply to 5 volts, which stopped the flickering.
The picture on the right shows the solution.
MY PROCESS
RESULT
The voltage boost converter provided the display lights with the required 5 volts and stopped the flickering. With the issue resolved, production was able to move forward again.
The video on the left shows the result of the solution. The light is no longer flickering.
Current and upcoming work:
THEME PARK CAPSTONE
Storytelling, Technology, and Digital Media in Theme Parks
The only engineer selected to participate in an interdisciplinary capstone exploring how technology and communication work collaboratively in themed entertainment. I bring a unique technical perspective to the the team. This project is currently in progress.
ENGINEERING CAPSTONE
Electrical Engineering Senior Design
Working with an engineering team to complete a yearlong senior design project. More information will be added as the project develops.
UPCOMING RESEARCH
Wall-E Animatronic
I will serve as the project lead for a new WALL-E inspired animatronic that incorporates flextronics. I will help guide the design and development process while exploring how flexible electronic systems can support expressive movement.
Additional Projects
Programmed an animatronic bird in Bottango to move and sing along to a new song. I then presented the programming at the Digital Expo.
Animatronic Programming
Spring Trap Head
Soldered the wiring for the illuminated eyes, then painted and added fur to complete the Springtrap head for a friend's project.
Digital Signal Filter
Designed and tested a digital filter to remove unwanted frequencies from a signal as part of my electrical engineering coursework.
