Hey everyone! I wanted to dive a bit deeper into my current project, Nosey, which I briefly mentioned with the 'shoulders complete, upper arms underway' update. For those new here, Nosey is an animatronic character I'm building, and it's been an incredible journey so far! What is Nosey? Nosey is a character I've been dreaming of bringing to life as an animatronic. The concept draws inspiration from classic whimsical designs, with a touch of my own unique twist. Think of a playful, slightly mischievous creature that will eventually have expressive movements. The 'rabbitpie' tag? That's actually a working title for the whole themed world Nosey will inhabit – kind of a secret project name within the larger build! Why an Animatronic? My Motivation I've always been fascinated by puppetry and robotics, and the challenge of combining the two to create something truly interactive and lifelike. Building an animatronic like Nosey isn't just about mechanics; it's about storytelling and bringing a personality to a static form. It's a massive learning curve, especially with the welding involved, but seeing each piece come together is incredibly rewarding. My goal is to create a fully articulated figure that can perform simple movements and interact with its environment. The Build So Far: Shoulders and Upper Arms When I say 'shoulders completed,' it means the initial metal framework for the shoulder joints is fully welded and tested for smooth rotation. This stage was crucial because it dictates the range of motion for the entire arm assembly. Getting the angles right and ensuring robust welds took quite a bit of trial and error. I spent a lot of time calibrating the pivot points to ensure natural movement. Now, I'm deep into the 'upper arms underway' phase. This involves fabricating the skeletal structure for the biceps and triceps area. I'm using lightweight but strong aluminum tubing for this section, carefully cutting and welding each piece to match my design blueprints. The biggest challenge here is balancing strength with weight, as I don't want the arms to be too heavy for the shoulder mechanisms. I'm also starting to think about how the servo motors will integrate into these sections, planning out the mounting points and wiring paths early on. Looking Ahead: What's Next for Nosey? Once the upper arms are finalized, the next big step will be the forearms and hands – a whole new level of complexity! After that, I'll move onto the torso and head mechanism, which will involve more intricate wiring and programming to achieve the desired expressions. I'm already envisioning the programming phase, where I'll bring Nosey's movements to life. It's a long road, but every successful weld and every smooth joint brings me closer to seeing Nosey fully operational. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting build!