Gadgets

Wendell Robot Is Super Adorable, Super Open Source

As a GeekTech reader, chances are you probably either like robots or enjoy tinkering with open-source platforms (or even better, both!). So perhaps you should get acquainted with Wendell, a cute robot designed with the modder in mind.

Wendell is an open-source robot on wheels, powered by an Arduino board and other simple electronics, along with widely available free software. It was developed by Marc Cryan to be easy to build and modify. For instance, as Marc points out on Instructables, you can substitute the plastic shell with something as basic as cardboard.

Marc hopes that not only will Wendell's basic build and Arduino capabilities lure people to have fun and share his lovely creation, but perhaps also use it as a fun project with your children or friends. Who wouldn't want a machine as cute as Wendell, when its creator describes it as "...like a baby, silly and small, with a big head, tiny legs, and often a funny smell"?

Of course, while you can build and tweak Wendell at home by following Marc's Instructables tutorial, he also wants to make around 50 kits ready for purchase. However, in order to do this, he needs to raise $8,000 from supporters on Kickstarter. He'll use the money on refinements to the design, licensing, and manufacturing and distribution, and to improve communication with the Wendell modder community. A pledge of $198 will get you a full Wendell kit, complete with the Arduino setup.

So if you want to create or help fund an open-source initiative, visit Marc's profile. Also, is it just me that thinks Wendell looks distantly related to the Amazon Box Robot? Maybe it's the sad facial expression...

[Instructables, Kickstarter]