This project demonstrates how to build a robotic marionette that is controlled with four arcade-style buttons.

The cardboard rig can be configured to control and animate any marionette, and draws inspiration from this Pinocchio marionette.

The Electronics

This project is based around the CRICKIT robotics platform. Four buttons and four small servo motors are connected through CRICKIT to create a rig capable of animating any marionette you choose to use.

Top down view of a Adafruit CRICKIT for Circuit Playground Express with a circular board connected.
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A Black woman's manicured hand holds a round microcontroller with lit up LEDs.
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1 x Arcade Button - Red
30mm Translucent
1 x Arcade Button - Yellow
30mm Translucent
1 x Arcade Button - Green
30mm Translucent
1 x Arcade Button - Blue
30mm Translucent
1 x 5V Power Supply
110/240V input, 5V output to 2A

Other Materials

In addition to the electronics, for this project you will need:

  • A large cardboard box
  • Scrap corrugated cardboard
  • Paper clips
  • Scissors and/or box cutter
  • Hot glue gun
  • Hot glue sticks 
  • String (or thin fishing line)

This guide was first published on Feb 27, 2019. It was last updated on Nov 29, 2023.

This page (Overview) was last updated on Feb 15, 2019.

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