The Creation of Robothead

Like all good projects, Robothead begins with beer and a garage. After sketching the design, PVC pipe was purchased along with a styrofoam head. The goal is two-fold: First, to create a facial presentation instead of an uninviting glass lens that too often puts people off. Second, to design a hand-held device for a small camcorder that didn't cost five hundred bucks.

It turns out that styrofoam is hard to cut if you don't have a special heated knife but with enough beer and sharp things it can be done. This head cost twelve bucks at a local beauty shop.

Robothead takes form. The external mic input is on the right side of this camera, a Panasonic GS-150. This realization will require more foam hackery.

After the structural elements were in place it was time to make a robot face. Cardboard bits are taped up here to start the process. The camera is held on by a wide elastic strap with velcro ends.

Meet 8REK

He has a glass eye and some of his parts came from an aerospace junkyard in Sun Valley, California. The extra weight of the material threw his balance off and the pipes were extended forward to compensate. The lesson here is not to glue the pipes until the end. This build was tested for a couple of weeks and it worked okay, but not great. It was time to make a brother for 8REK. This time the focus will be primarily on function.

Robothead II

8REK looks on as the construction begins on Robothead II. No styrofoam. It was clear that the PVC was comfortable to hold and easy to grip at all angles, including running along side an electric go-kart. The mounting platform came from a stunningly obvious idea, use a cheap tripod mount. The SLIK SDV-20 costs about twenty bucks from Amazon.com.

Pipe cutters are swell. I found a pair for nine bucks at a large hardware store. You can cut PVC with almost any kind of saw, but these snips cut pipe like butter.

Robothead II

This build resolves some of the issues that came up with the original Robothead and has some nifty new features.

• Working tripod head with quick-release plate.
• Camera post is set back for better balance.
• Uncluttered pipe for maximum grip area.
• Super light construction. No frills.
• Simple, quick, an inexpensive to make.

The tripod headpost is cut to the desired height (put the camera on it and score it) then drill pressed through the PVC. There are Allen bolts in inset threads here, but a simple nut & bolt will work.

Next up - construction of a face and a matte box.