Animatronic Droid Student Project

Team: Andrew Gater, Casey Hartley, Xavier Carmona, Ryan Carter, Nathan Gollay, Trisha Guha, Kaitlyn Le, Bryn Lewis, David Lock, Devon Mahaffey, Mina Metelmann, Carter O'neill, Richie Ortiz, Aidan Ream, and Freya Rust

Project Description: This project explores the integration of interdisciplinary skills in theatrical design and fabrication, mechatronic design, programming, and facial recognition software to create a fully functional animatronic capable of interacting with the public.

Originally created as a senior project by Andrew Gator (LAES '22), FRIDA has grown into a beloved mascot for the LAES program and has been continually enhanced by a rotating team of student developers. What began as a hyper-realistic, stationary replica of a droid from a beloved sci-fi saga has evolved into a fully programmable animatronic on a mobile platform.

Today, FRIDA features two articulated arms, a custom GPT that answers questions about the LAES program while surprising visitors with jokes and witty remarks, and a head capable of rotating 360 degrees with integrated camera vision and facial tracking. She even has a computer-animated counterpart that can be seen throughout the Expressive Technology Studios, providing interactive demonstrations of the space.

Future plans for FRIDA include a remote-controlled mobile platform, expanded facial recognition capabilities, motorizing her two additional arms, and countless other enhancements inspired by the creativity of future students. As an ongoing collaborative project, FRIDA continues to serve as a platform for innovation, experimentation, and interdisciplinary learning.