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Robots & toys / Kit / assembly

Robbi: a small robot with a personality

A wheeled robot combines a camera, voice, expressive face and sensors.

Read the original build See shopping list
Robbi: a small robot with a personality — creator video thumbnail from the creator’s source
Ace Builder · creator video thumbnail

What the hardware does

A Raspberry Pi controls wheels, a camera, an expressive display, audio and distance sensing inside a small 3D-printed robot.

How the agent helped

The creator says Codex was used to develop and debug the robot's software, including its hardware interfaces, expressive behavior and dashboard. The source provides a physical demonstration and a component-by-component build account.

Before you build

Advanced assembly with battery protection, regulated power and motor calibration. Creator account only; no independent electrical or safety validation. The image is the creator’s video thumbnail; refer to the linked demonstration for the physical build.

Follow the build

youcanjustbuildthings.openai.chatgpt.site

Original build story

Creator showcase

youtube.com

Supporting source

Shopping list

Save as Markdown

This is the creator’s breakout-module reproduction route, not a claim that the photographed custom-PCB robot can be built from these parts without redesign. Measure rails before connecting the Pi; test motion with wheels raised and never charge an unprotected loose cell in-device.

Confirm before buying

  • Exact power modules, fuse ratings, camera/module vendor variants, wheel geometry and mechanical counts are not fixed. No complete validated schematic or chassis kit is established.

Quantities are for one build. Unless marked source-specified, they are planning quantities; confirm kit contents and the chosen configuration before ordering.

  1. Qty. 1Source count
    Required

    Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W with soldered 40-pin header

    Main computer.

    Plain Zero 2 W may ship without headers; choose pre-soldered or budget for soldering.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Source-specified quantity.

    View product

    Exact Pi Zero 2 W with fitted header; US retailer

  2. Qty. 1Source count
    Required

    32 GB microSD card

    Firmware, operating system or project storage.

    Genuine A1/U1/Class 10 card; creator suggests SanDisk Ultra. Creator suggests a genuine 32GB card; this is an alternate branded card, not its specified SanDisk example. It is blank and needs the OS image written before use.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Source-specified quantity.

    Example part

    Accessory example: official 32GB A2/V30 blank microSD

  3. Qty. 1Source count
    Required

    TENSTAR ROBOT 1.69-inch 240×280 8-pin SPI ST7789 display

    Face screen.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Source-specified quantity.

    No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.

  4. Qty. 1Source count
    Required

    Raspberry Pi-compatible IMX219 CSI camera, 130° or 160° lens

    Vision.

    Use a complete Raspberry Pi-compatible IMX219 CSI camera with the stated 130° or 160° lens. IMX219-D160 is only the sensor/lens module without the camera PCB; it is not a complete camera. A matching sensor name alone does not establish Pi driver and mounting compatibility.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Source-specified quantity.

    No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.

  5. Qty. 1Source count
    Required

    Pi Zero 22-pin to 15-pin CSI cable, 15 cm

    Camera connection.

    Adafruit 3157 is a Pi Zero camera cable, not a full-size Pi cable. Confirm connector orientation and the selected camera PCB.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Source-specified quantity.

    Example part

    150 mm Pi Zero camera cable; connector-specification match

  6. Qty. 1Source count
    Required

    Compact USB microphone

    Voice input.

    Adafruit 3367 is 22.2×18.3×7.0 mm; check the casing clearance and the left-bend OTG adapter. Creator did not identify a microphone SKU.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Source-specified quantity.

    Example part

    Raspberry Pi-compatible USB microphone example

  7. Qty. 1Source count
    Required

    Left-bend micro-USB OTG male to USB-A female adapter

    Microphone connection.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Source-specified quantity.

    No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.

  8. Qty. 1Source count
    Required

    20 mm speaker, 8 Ω, 0.5 W, with wires

    Audio output.

    Seller supplies in multiples of five although one speaker is required per robot. Leads may need soldering; do not assume factory-fitted wires. Limit amplifier gain to avoid exceeding the speaker rating.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Source-specified quantity.

    Example part

    20 mm / 8 Ω / 0.5 W component match; seller minimum quantity applies

  9. Qty. 2Source count
    Required

    3 V, 75 RPM N20 geared motors with A/B encoders and cables

    Drive wheels.

    Listing includes a 14 cm connector lead per motor. Confirm A/B encoder outputs, counts per revolution, connector order and shaft fit; retailer gear-ratio data is inconsistent, so this is not an exact verified creator motor.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Source-specified quantity.

    Example part

    N20 3V / 75RPM encoder-motor candidate; Indian retailer

  10. Qty. 1Source count
    Required

    TOF400C-VL53L1 / VL53L1X forward distance module

    Obstacle measurement.

    Adafruit 3967 is NOT the specified TOF400C board. It is an alternate breakout requiring footprint, pinout, supply and software checks; do not assume drop-in mechanical compatibility.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Source-specified quantity.

    Example part

    Same VL53L1X sensor, different Adafruit breakout

  11. Qty. 1Source count
    Required

    LSM6DS3TR-C IMU breakout

    Motion sensing.

    Omit standalone breakout only if implemented on the custom PCB. Linked Adafruit board is a component-matched example for the creator’s module route, NOT the photographed custom PCB or a tested drop-in. Check dimensions, pins and electrical limits.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Source-specified quantity.

    Example part

    Same specified LSM6DS3TR-C chip; example breakout, not creator board

  12. Qty. 1Source count
    Required

    DRV8833 dual motor-driver breakout

    Motor drive.

    Alternative to the equivalent custom-PCB circuit, not an extra duplicate. Linked Adafruit board is a component-matched example for the creator’s module route, NOT the photographed custom PCB or a tested drop-in. Check dimensions, pins and electrical limits.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Source-specified quantity.

    Example part

    Same specified DRV8833 chip; example breakout, not creator board

  13. Qty. 1Source count
    Required

    MAX98357A I²S amplifier breakout

    Speaker drive.

    Limit gain for the 0.5 W speaker; alternative to custom-PCB circuit. Linked Adafruit board is a component-matched example for the creator’s module route, NOT the photographed custom PCB or a tested drop-in. Check dimensions, pins and electrical limits.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Source-specified quantity.

    Example part

    Same specified MAX98357A chip; example breakout, not creator board

  14. Qty. 1Source count
    Required

    Flat-top 18650 Li-ion cell, about 3000 mAh

    Battery.

    Reputable cell rated for actual load; capacity alone does not establish safe current.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Source-specified quantity.

    No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.

  15. Qty. 1Source count
    Required

    Single-cell 18650 holder with wires

    Battery connection.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Source-specified quantity.

    No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.

  16. Qty. 1Source count
    Required

    External USB-C 18650 charger

    Charge the removed cell.

    Creator suggests a suitable XTAR model, not an exact SKU.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Source-specified quantity.

    No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.

  17. Qty. 1 setSource count
    Required

    1S protection circuit, cell-side fuse and power wiring

    Battery safety.

    Exact protection/fuse ratings require the real load; no on-board charging design is supplied.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Source-specified quantity.

    No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.

  18. Qty. 1Source count
    Required

    Regulated 5 V boost supply

    Power Pi and peripherals.

    Size for peak load; custom-PCB equivalent is an alternative.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Source-specified quantity.

    No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.

  19. Qty. 1 setPlan / confirm
    Required

    Suitable 3 V motor rail and motor-power cutoff

    Protect motors and provide a stop.

    Creator build instructions require a suitable rail and cutoff. PWM does not regulate an overvoltage supply.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Setup requirement — check against your configuration. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    Use existing equipment or match the specification above. No exact purchase link verified.

  20. Qty. CAD-dependentPlan / confirm
    Required

    MR128ZZ bearings, 8×12×3.5 mm

    Mechanical support.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.

  21. Qty. CAD-dependentPlan / confirm
    Required

    M2 heat inserts / screws / nuts and M3×14 mm screws

    Assembly hardware.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.

  22. Qty. 1 setPlan / confirm
    Required

    Body, wheels and matching chassis parts

    Robot structure.

    Use or design CAD around actual modules and dimensions; final robot uses a custom PCB.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.

  23. Qty. SetPlan / confirm
    Tool

    Assembly and test tools

    Assemble and check the circuit.

    Soldering iron, heat shrink, hot glue gun, screwdrivers and multimeter are listed by the creator.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Setup requirement — check against your configuration. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    Use existing equipment or match the specification above. No exact purchase link verified.

  24. Qty. 1Plan / confirm
    Tool

    Computer for setup

    Build, configure or flash the software.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Setup requirement — check against your configuration. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    Use existing equipment or match the specification above. No exact purchase link verified.

Source reviewed, not assembled or hands-on tested. A working product page does not confirm stock, firmware compatibility or a complete build.

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