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Make hand movements control a puppet theater

Camera-tracked hands control a puppet while voice changes its stage and props.

Read the original build See shopping list
Make hand movements control a puppet theater — creator demo screenshot from the creator’s source
Rene Hangstrup Møller · creator demo screenshot

What the hardware does

A webcam tracks the user's hand to move a puppet, while a microphone supplies speech for an AI-controlled character on a browser-rendered stage.

How the agent helped

Anthropic's winner interview credits Rene Hangstrup Møller with using Claude across concept discussion, planning and code writing. The creator's repository documents MediaPipe hand tracking, Three.js rendering and the required camera and microphone.

Before you build

Requires a webcam, microphone and a capable computer running a supported desktop browser. The repository recommends Chrome or Edge, HTTPS or localhost, and a required Anthropic API key; ElevenLabs speech is optional. Model services can incur charges. Grant camera and microphone access deliberately. The image is a frame from the creator's software demo, not a photograph of a special-purpose hardware product. No specific webcam model is required or verified.

Follow the build

claude.com

Original build story

Creator interview and repository

github.com

Supporting source

Rene Hangstrup Møller · creator demo screenshot

Shopping list

Save as Markdown

This is a browser-based webcam project, not a dedicated electronics kit. Camera/mic permission and an Anthropic API key are required; optional ElevenLabs speech incurs separate service costs.

Confirm before buying

  • No tested camera or computer SKU is published.

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

  1. Qty. 1Plan / confirm
    Required

    Webcam

    Track performer movement.

    No particular model is required or verified.

    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.

  2. Qty. 1Plan / confirm
    Required

    Microphone

    Voice input.

    Can be built into the computer or webcam; no need to buy duplicates.

    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.

  3. Qty. 1Plan / confirm
    Required

    Modern GPU-capable computer

    Run Chrome or Edge and the web application.

    Source describes 60 fps GPU work; exact minimum hardware is not specified.

    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.

  4. Qty. 1Plan / confirm
    Conditional

    Headphones or speakers

    Hear generated speech.

    Only for audio playback; built-in computer audio may suffice.

    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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