Fan Engineer Builds Interactive 'Project Hail Mary' Robot
- tech360.tv
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
A dedicated fan has created a working robot version of Rocky, the beloved alien character from Andy Weir’s science-fiction novel, "Project Hail Mary." Leviathan Engineering recently showcased the tabletop robot, which can talk and give fist bumps.
The robot features moving limbs, speech recognition, and gestures that accurately reflect the character from the book. The builder spent months designing and assembling the interactive machine using modern artificial intelligence (AI) tools and custom engineering.
The project began with digital models bought from 3D Totems, a creator known for accurate printable character designs. The engineer adapted these files using Fusion 360 and Tinkercad, ensuring parts were robust enough for movement and frequent use.
After extensive printing and testing, the components were integrated into a compact, four-legged robot. It has moving arms and expressive body movements, closely resembling Rocky's distinctive posture and lively gestures from the novel.
Ten metal-geared servos control the robot’s various movements. Extra servos in the shoulders facilitate wide arm swings, while leg joints allow for crouching and shifting positions. The robot can perform actions such as offering a fist bump.
During conversations, the robot can also make dramatic hand gestures. Although it is about the size of a small tabletop display, its lifelike movements contribute to a surprisingly animated presence.
A Raspberry Pi 5 serves as the robot’s core, connected to a PCA9685 HAT that manages the servo motors and overall movement. The motors draw power from an external supply due to their significant energy requirements.
Software gives the robot its unique personality. Vosk provides local speech recognition, enabling the robot to understand voice commands without an internet connection. For spoken replies, the builder used Piper, which replicates Rocky’s sharp, rhythmic voice style from the novel.
Google’s Gemini AI model generates conversations, creating both the dialogue and corresponding gestures for each response. The robot reacts in real time based on context, rather than relying on preset animations. For instance, if asked for a fist bump, Rocky extends its arm and says, "fist bump yes much happy."
The engineer developed the software with assistance from Claude, using a command-line interface. This language model aided in creating and organising the code for movement, speech, and interaction.
A key feature is the absence of fixed animation scripts; instead, the robot chooses gestures in real time based on context and special tools. This contextual approach makes its movements feel more natural and less repetitive during dialogue.
This project combines several modern technologies, including open-source voice recognition, AI-generated dialogue, motion control, and 3D-printed parts, into a single homemade robot. This integration results in a machine that acts more like a character than a typical hobby robot.
Building the robot involved significant trial and error. Early designs using pulleys and linear actuators were replaced with servos for improved precision and control. Durability also presented a challenge, as printed joints frequently broke under stress.
The builder repeatedly redesigned and strengthened weak points through extensive testing. Assembling the robot required careful wiring and hands-on adjustments, utilising extension cables for tidy wire management and adhesives for securing delicate parts during the final construction.
The end result is a small yet expressive robot version of Rocky, capturing much of the personality beloved by "Project Hail Mary" fans. For readers of the novel, this project offers a rare opportunity to witness the alien character move, talk, and interact in real life.
A fan engineer built a working robot named Rocky, inspired by Andy Weir's "Project Hail Mary" novel.
The tabletop robot can talk, understand voice commands, and perform gestures, including fist bumps.
It is powered by a Raspberry Pi 5 and utilises AI tools such as Vosk, Piper, and Google’s Gemini for speech and conversation generation.
Source: INTERESTING ENGINEERING
