Panic’s $200 Playdate has had an interesting run as a pint-sized gaming device, but the handsome handheld with a crank has proven to be more than capable of gaming. Now, a small handle can have mobility options in the form of an accessory such as a wheelchair. With the PlayBot dock, the device can control itself. Plus, it turns it into an interactive, playful pet robot, ala the KEYi Loona.
France-based hardware DIYer Guillaume Loquin developed the PlayBot, a Playdate dock that attaches two wheels, a motor, and a few extra surprises to its 3D-printed shell. Loquin has developed additional software that uses the device’s accelerometer and microphone to communicate with the user and the world around them. Along with PlayBot’s built-in IR, distance, and light sensors, Playdate becomes a desktop pet with an amazing personality. In the video, the PlayBot wakes up when it is shaken. It can also stop itself from moving away from the desk.
The side-loaded software includes new animations, which give Playdate clear visuals similar to the device’s original animations. When you turn the crank, it rotates between a dozen types of eyes, making the little bot dizzy. Loquin has provided all the code for the accompanying app, as well as all the STL and PCB files for the hardware, on their Github profile. You can build it yourself with the right board and access to a 3D printer.
The PlayBot is built using the Teensy 4.1 microcontroller, while everything else is printed. It makes for an easy build for those who know what they’re doing, and it’s worth it if you own Playdate and wish to make it your favorite desktop companion. The dock also serves as a charging station for your Playdate when not in use. The developer said the dock usually gets about 45 minutes of operation for a full charge.
The open source nature of PlayBot also allows many developers and animators to develop new capabilities. I can imagine attaching a pencil holder to the shell and using touch to ask PlayBot to come to my side of the desk when I need to jot down a thought. Not working? Obviously. Extremely beautiful? Certainly.
The Playdate itself proved to have a surprising amount of staying power. Developer Panic has its own app store that includes an amazing range of titles, e-readers, and other distractions for your $200 doohickey. Last month, Playdate showed off several arcade cabinet-style devices to promote some of Playdate’s landmark titles. However, I prefer my devices to be small and handheld. Now, I can’t help but think how great it would be to have my own The Steam Deck the dock is wheeled to me whenever I’m in the mood for mobile gaming.
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