Amazon's playful boxes

Amazon recently started shipping boxes that include graphics which can be cut out and turned into masks. This project takes it a step further and repurposes the entire box to create an animatronic panda friend.

For this project, most any rectangular shipping box will work, but an A3 box seems to have just the right proportions.

If you don't have an Amazon box that has these graphics, do not fear! Drawing whatever you like with a sharpie pen does the trick just as well. You can create any animal you want!

We have the technology

This project pairs CRICKIT and Circuit Playground Express with two servo motors.

1 x Circuit Playground Express
Circuit Playground Express is the perfect introduction to electronics and programming
1 x Adafruit CRICKIT for Circuit Playground Express
Creative Robotics and Interactive Construction Kit is an add-on to our popular Circuit Playground Express that lets you #MakeRobotFriend using CircuitPython
1 x TowerPro SG-5010 Servo
High-torque standard servo can rotate approximately 180 degrees (90 in each direction)
1 x Micro Servo
This little servo can rotate approximately 180 degrees (90 in each direction). Works just like standard servos you're used to but smaller.
1 x 5V 2A (2000mA) switching power supply
Power supply that gives a clean regulated 5V output at up to 2000mA, 110 or 240 input
1 x USB cable - A/MicroB - 3ft
Standard A to micro-B USB cable

Other supplies you will need

The other supplies can be found around the home. Along with a box you will need:

  • Scissors
  • Double-sided tape
  • String or fishing line (~20 inches long)

The box will be flipped on one end with the top flap folded down and the other three flaps bent outwards.

This guide was first published on May 24, 2018. It was last updated on Mar 17, 2024.

This page (Overview) was last updated on Mar 08, 2024.

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