How We Build a Robot

Rusty Squid Robotic Design Principles: The evolution of robotics is too important to leave in the hands of the engineers alone.

Design practice and thinking are simply not done in robotics labs around the world. Large sums of cash are spent on very expensive robotics and the first time the engineers see how the public react is when the robots are complete... and they wonder why the robots aren't being welcomed with open arms.

Our robotic art and design laboratory has gone back to first principles and created a robust design process that draws on the traditions of puppetry, animatronics and experience design to build rich and meaningful robots.

Rusty Squid is hijacking robotic technology as a form of human expression rather than a tool. The medium is sensors, algorithms, kinetic and intelligent systems with the traditions of puppetry, and handcrafted material.

We suspect that a flood of technological breakthroughs, pioneering applications and new business models will erupt when art, engineering and design collide. It will be studios that effectively integrate these disciplines, and studios that will lead the way to plant the seeds for entirely new industries.

Rusty Squid is featured as part of Channel 4's Rise of the Robots season in an episode called How to Build a Robot. This short film is a reply to narrative-driven Channel 4 Documentary.

'How To Build A Robot', a documentary following Rusty Squids robotic design process, is now available to stream throughout December on All4.

CREDITS:
A film by Rusty Squid and Black Cat Films
Editing: James Dalby
Puppeteers: David McGoran and Hazel Grian

RUSTY SQUID TEAM:
Creative Director: David McGoran
Managing Director: Mike Chatziapostolou
Technical Director: Richard Sewell
Lead Designer and Puppet Engineer: Emma Powell
Robotic Engineer and Designer: Rob Stephenson
Software Developer: Richard Sewell
Narrative Designer, Performer: Hazel Grain
Communications Engineer: Zak Wilcos
Lead Mechanical Engineer and Fabricator: James Gates
Lead Systems Engineer: Kyle Hirani
Illustrator: Laurie Stansfield
Sound Designer: Gary Mclntyre
Fabrication and Technical Support: Nick Wilsher, Elizabeth Johnson, Kelly Jago

MUSIC:
Big Noise From Winnetka
by Jim Reed Combo

Music used under licence provided by Shutterstock

[magokeanu]

I'm part of the robotics laboratory in my university, but i never see this vision of robotics before, i love it, please contract me xD

[MNTHONY]

This is amazing, where could I start learning about robotics and robotics programming?

[karisreilly]

I just love the characters of these robots. They are great fun! Love the energy and creativity that goes into designing them. Totally inspiring and wonderful.

[nimitdave]

As a roboticist, I cannot help but find this to be one of the most beautiful videos I have ever seen. Very inspiring. In fact, I wish I was nearby enough to work with and learn from you. Keep changing the world.

[jacksvlogs]

Wait! This is incredible! I just read your mission statement and I love you guys! Are you hoping this will be a product one day? It’s so well designed. Also I love your design process!

[chatter]

This is inspiring. I love how you've shown that you've started somewhere simple and the progress behind it.

[sheldonsm]

I love the blend of art and tech with comes with the design of your robots. The fact that you are bringing a totally new approach too long have companies focused on humaniod replication which i feel gives a much more sci fi less approachable style. Keep up good work i find it a breath of fresh air in what can seem a rather rigid format.

[MrBird]

WOW !!! This is amazing, please please start a kickstarer fund or something XD I would totaly want to buy this !! This is great. I love those movements, love the head & body desing.

[pastellamayday]

This is awesome! It makes me want to learn more about robotics and programming. I'd like to be able to make kind of animatronic type of robots such as fnaf. I have no idea where to start though!

[abdullahnasir]

Wait. When I first saw the number of subscribers I thought it was 876k
Now I rechecked and saw its 876
This channel produces great videos, I think they will grow a lot soon

[gfamhomevideos]

I think this is my new favorite video on YouTube! I'm inspired to build one of my own!

[stefanavey]

Will this robot ever go into production? I would love to own one, I think it's amazing.

[maggintons]

Disney should get you to design Droids for Star Wars.

[Gooncaveofficial]

What were those barrel looking thing that you used for cable control

[teamleeoliver]

this is awesome, what kind of programming is that?

[maryoristorres]

I want to be a robotics engineer so I’m watching this to make progress

[dotails]

@rustysquid what font is used in this video?

[thatonenerdwhoreadsbyhimse]

It's all fun and games until that robot becomes sentient...

[ashokbarve]

@RustySquid please will you make a step by step detailed video and also by introducing the names of the parts ?


Please please please please please

[asiyamahamoudabdi]

iam from somalia where i can get the sensors of robot please!