Side project: A 6 ft. tall humanoid robot

I was a huge fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation when I was budding teenager. Since then, I've always wanted to see a robot like Data exist. A walking thought partner, who could help you physically and mentally think through problems

As amazing as Data was, I never cared for his external appearance, so as an avid user of dribbble.com and a big fan of the movie Ex Machina, I set out to create something closer to Ava .

3D CAD model I designed with some mechanical engineers

3D model of the chest covering (each honeycomb was hand placed)

Manufactured chest covering (on my desk)

I experimented alot with the skull design, and manufacturing process. I 3D printed over 20 different versions of this skull cap. I bought (and broke) 7+ 3D printers, learned alot how they work, the tolerances, etc

Skull cap

Neck column

I assembled the robot, wired the motors, programmed the joints to move, etc

Skull assembled with motors

Testing the flexible shoulder cover

Assembled body

— Dan Clark
Aug 6 2023