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Desk buddy | Companion robot with wheels | Code & 3D included

Tech Talkies

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In this project I built a tiny desk companion robot using an ESP32, OLED display and two N20 motors.

The robot roams around your desk on its own, but if you ignore it for too long it stops and asks for attention. When you touch the sensor it becomes happy and stays in petting mode.

Order via NextPCB official website:
https://www.nextpcb.com/?code=TechTal...

Free Gerber Viewer Tool:
https://www.nextpcb.com/free-online-g...

The face is generated using a simple physics system that makes the eyes move naturally. The robot uses a DRV8833 motor driver to control two N20 motors and wander around randomly.

This is a fun project that combines robotics, embedded programming and simple animation to create a robot with personality.

Hardware Used
ESP32-C3
1.3" OLED display
DRV8833 motor driver
N20 gear motors
Touch sensor

Features
Random roaming behavior
Pet detection using touch input
Attention seeking behavior
Animated OLED face
Physics based face movement

This project is a great starting point if you want to build interactive robots with personality.

Links:-
Code & Circuit: https://github.com/TechTalkies/YouTub...
3D files: https://www.printables.com/model/1631...
Charging module: https://robu.in/product/type-c-usb-5v...

If you enjoy DIY electronics and robotics projects make sure to subscribe for more builds like this.

20 Comments

@a_ditto5722 6 months ago Pinned

Love that the companion robots are getting popular.

For people that are trying to replicate this, just make sure the battery you use is compatible with the charging module and motors in terms of electrical voltage and current ratings.

Also, this particular battery looks like it has a little PCB in it which is likely a BMS - make sure y'all do your due diligence and get something that is safe to use with the components listed.

Happy making and stay safe everyone 🤖

@ramon921 6 months ago

Very good job but if you are thinking in the future to update it by adding for example sensors to avoid falls and to avoid obstacles and also voice recognition you should consider changing the esp32 c3 for an esp32 s3 because remember your robot will do several things at the same time and with the esp32 s3 you will have more power to execute all the operations that you want to add. but, you're doing very well, keep moving forward. 👍

@Ayla-XiaoRGEEK 3 months ago

Looking forward to more builds like this!🔥

@RumaAkter-y9t 5 months ago

Love to see the upgraded version

@chimhutmatvietnam 6 months ago

Wow, amazing !
Can't wait to see the final version ! Thank you for sharing !

@nessa_nextpcb 6 months ago

can't wait to see the final version😆

@abdurrehman735 6 months ago

Please upgrade ❤ love to see the upgraded version.

@Jerseylance1 6 months ago

Nice work 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥✊🏽

@moenkopiproductions2422 4 months ago

Note: On my DRV8833 driver board, the EEP pin needed to be set HIGH to activate the outputs to the motors. There is a jumper on the back of the DRV8833 to disable Sleep, but this particular board the jumper was open.

@verdian_syh 5 months ago

I dream of being like you sir, able to do everything in electronics, especially programming 😊❤

@Engr.Md.Rokunozzaman 6 months ago

best work😍

@333donutboy 6 months ago

You gotta keep going with this. I subbed so I don't miss the upgrades. I'm thinking location mapping (like a roomba) so it can freely wander along the desk missing objects and not fall off the desk. Maybe a camera/mic for facial and voice recognition.

@Max-is-cooking 3 months ago

So cool

@Rayor2fou 6 months ago

Nice robot 🤖. I'm doing a robot in this style with an esp32 design for watch so he has already bms touch screen and even more insinde.

@maheshiundugoda4883 3 months ago

Perfect

@theDadWagon 6 months ago

… literally been designing this for two months now, ever get that Mandela effect feeling? So odd to see this being built when I’ve actively been working on something EXTREEEEEMLY similar. I’m freaked out a little rn

@English-nx1ew 6 months ago

use esp32s3 sense board which also have camera , so that it can also avoid or follow you and mimic your playful emotions , can talk to you

@YohannChung 6 months ago

A companion is big is missing some sensors to adapt to it's environment

@SchurrAquatics 6 months ago

Yo! I logged into my account just so I could like, comment, and subscribe!

Love the direction this is going. I would love to see it wirelessly charge itself. When its battery gets low, go back and charge then come back out and play! I have been trying to get my Ankii Cozmo to do this but I'm still a couple steps off.