Hobbyist builds smartphone-controlled life-size version of Star Wars droid BB-8

A hobbyist has created a life-sized version of the Star Wars droid BB-8 that can be controlled via a smartphone. The head and body are connected via magnets, while control is via an Arduino board.

The robot is made with common household materials, the maker explains on Instructables. The creator is a 17 year old boy from the Philippines. The eye of BB-8, for example, is an overpainted Christmas bauble, while the magnets come from speakers and the ball bearings come from deodorant packaging. The maker says that in this way the project will be more accessible for many people.

The BB-8 has a ‘hamster wheel’ inside and the control is via a smartphone. This is done via an app for radio-controlled cars. The body of BB-8 is made with a beach ball with a diameter of 51 centimeters as a mold.

The maker is now ready for version two, because there were various problems with the first version he had made. The second version includes sound and the BB-8 can be programmed wirelessly. It also uses a Raspberry Pi. BB-8 is a character from the most recent Star Wars movie The Force Awakens.