Embedded Lab

Mechanical Engineer and K-12 STEM educator, Ben Finio, has designed this kid-friendly motion sensing pumpkin Bot, which could be a fun project to make for the next Halloween. The thing I liked the most about this PumpkinBot is its simplicity and microcontroller-free design. His motion-sensing bot uses a passive infrared (PIR) sensor attached in front of the pumpkin to detect motion. Three toothbrush heads are glued underneath the PumpkinBot to give it a stable tripod. When a motion is sensed, it triggers the robot’s LED eyes and a DC motor attached on its back. A wine cork fixed to the motor shaft create vibrations that are strong enough to move the robot around. It works best on a flat and smooth surface. You can leave it on your porch and watch enjoying the PumpkinBot scaring trick-or-treaters as they approach to your door.