Build a Bluetooth Teddy Ruxpin Robot

This is for group 18+.

Are you old enough to remember Teddy Ruxpin? If not, here is your lesson in cool 1980's toys. The Teddy Ruxpin was an animated bear toy from a cartoon. The casette tape had tones recorded on one of the stereo tracks. The other track would be a story. The tones would cause Teddy Ruxpin's mouth to open and close. His eyes followed the same mechanism.

Well, for the 80's, it was a cool toy. I stumbled across a broken one off eBay. I paid $40 for it.

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-1Igr-kq8U&feature=player_embedded

I removed its internals and replaced them with my own. Other then having to use a dremel, it wasn't very difficult. If you want to follow in my footsteps, then I suggest watching the video first. The video will give you a summary of the procedure. You'll have to be a little creative on your own because the servos and peices you have might be different then mine.

I build my robots with spare parts and junk that I have lying around. Everytime I build a new robot, I keep the old parts in a container for future robots. :) Robot Recycling!

Here are the peices I used...
1 x Teddy Ruxpin Doll (ebay)
1 x EZ-B Bluetooth Robot Controller: http://www.ez-robot.com
2 x Standard Servos for arms: http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=878
1 x Standard Servo for neck: http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=878
1 x Standard Servo for mouth: http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=878
1 x Mini standard servo for eyes: http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=878

The software I used to control the robot is EZ-Builder: http://www.ez-robot.com/EZ-Builder
I am using the beta version of EZ-Builder which uses the EZ-SDK's Voice Recognition and Voice Synthesis. I used it on one of my other robots here: http://www.ez-robot.com/Projects/Robots

Here are the tools I used:
Hot Gluegun
Scew drivers
Dremel
Zip Ties
Plyers

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-1Igr-kq8U&feature=player_embedded

Do not limit yourself to the steps in this instructable. Be sure to check out my other instructables for neat ideas to add to your robot. If you are using the EZ-Builder software, then there is also camera recognition you can add. I demo the camera recognition on another of my robots here: http://www.ez-robot.com/Projects/Robots

Step 1: Take Teddy Apart

You'll need to take teddy apart. I know he's cute, but don't feel bad. You will need to dive into his internals and make him even better.

The head seperates from the body easily. You will need to cut the material around his neck first.

Comments

[Enriqueto]

Great Job!

[U456]

Hi!
I have two robots that are kind of dumb and maybe you can work on them!
They are Gogo my walking pup and a snugamal. I hope you can make them live!
Thanks,
U456

[mary candy]

cooolll
I voted.

[brooklynbrownie]

Whoa. I so secretly wanted one of these. Just sent a vote your way. :-)

[demonfox]

Holy poop, that thing used to be my nightmare fuel :-)
great 'ible btw, very clear and well documented

[djsures]

thanx. and sorry for the nightmares! he will be walking soon :) a new video is coming shortly :P

[RedMeanie]

Freakin Teddy Ruxpin......LOL are you serious! This brings back so many memories....I had totally forgotten about him, Classic!

Thanks For sharing and giving me flashbacks!

[djsures]

I'm glad u liked him! I always wonder who's old enough around here to know of this dude :)

[Legoman200119]

Hows would you wire a mic (the electronic component not the singing ones) to make a mini servo open and close a mouth when it "hears" sound.
Lego

[djsures]

That would be a neat idea. He has voice recognition and speech synthesis right now. He responds to voice commands, as part of the ez-builder software. It wouldn't be too difficult to have him mimic what you say.