Don't Touch the Package

If you touch the package, it will scream and run away--changing its course when it strikes an obstacle.

When you lift the gift tag, light strikes a photocell and operation commences. Motors and a sound module are controlled by an Arduino (and Arduino Motor Shield).

Major components required are:

Motorized toy--Kid Galazy Morphibians Rover Remote Control Car; Amazon.com
Arduino Uno
Arduino Motor Shield
Recording Module--Radio Shack 276-1323
Photocell--Jameco 120299
Relay--Jameco 139977
DPDT switch
1K resistor
10K resistor
2n2222a transistor
1n4004 diode
(7) AA batteries
9 V battery
Battery holders
tape, screws, mounting hardware, wire, wire wrap wire, heat shrink tubing, solder
cardboard, wrapping paper
support structure (I printed mine with a 3d printer--it could be made from plywood) http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:38370

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Step 1:

In concept, this is fairly simple. Lift the tag and light strikes a photocell--triggering the action. The sound module plays a prerecorded "Eeek" and the package backs up, turns and takes off. The Arduino/Motor Shield monitors current going to the motors. When the package strikes an object, one or both motors struggle to operate and draw an increased amount of current. The increase in current lets the Arduino know it is time to play the "Eeek," then back up, turn and take off. This continues until the master toggle switch is turned off.

Add "+" from the recording module to the top of the relay/1n4004 diode.

OH SNAP! says: Dec 25, 2012. 6:57 PM

i dont think you have to cut the trace between the 2 power supplies-my motorshield came with a jumper, thought maybe i have a newer version. great job though! wish i had seen this before xmas!

MikeTheMaker (author) says: Dec 26, 2012. 5:05 AM

True--you don't have to cut the trace; the motor supply can be used to power the processor. When I tried it that way, the motor noise (and dips in the supply voltage) resulted in erratic operation. Maybe it could be filtered with a capacitor . . . .

jjmcgaffey says: Dec 21, 2012. 9:29 PM

LOL Penolopy Bulnick - me too, my immediate thought was to record a cat yowl (from me, not a cat!) instead of the Eeek.

agis68 says: Dec 20, 2012. 3:09 PM

well once i've done something similar but more scary. Were the era of suspicius mails with white dust and (or) bomb packages....so i wrapped a clock and i connected the starting switch wire with a touch switch on the wrapping paper.....you have to see all these scerified faces

MikeTheMaker (author) says: Dec 20, 2012. 5:01 PM

Fun! Sad that we have to be so careful these days . .

agis68 says: Dec 21, 2012. 1:19 AM

yeap...shame!!!! ;(