neat – breathing toys!

how about using linear step motor or voice coil and a diaphragm setup, like the rubber glove stretched over a cavity of some sorts (like a small jar / film canister). The linear step motor or voice coil should be nearly silent, and provide a sinus breathing rhythm instead of a slow inhale and fast exhale.

Posted at 12:18 pm on May 18th, 2009 by justDIY

IT’S ALIVE!!!!

Posted at 12:43 pm on May 18th, 2009 by shoogity-bop

i like justdiy’s suggestion for the sinus breathing rhythym. also if the goal is for it to be a soothing presence, the sloth should have the same body temperature as a real animal. i think a litte warmth would go a long way.

Posted at 1:13 pm on May 18th, 2009 by will d.

that’s cool !
but that’s creepy !
but that’s cool ! i want one !

Posted at 2:49 pm on May 18th, 2009 by matthieu

That’s kinda creepy…

Posted at 3:15 pm on May 18th, 2009 by weasel

too bad warmth would mean a high battery consumption

Posted at 3:38 pm on May 18th, 2009 by pod

I agree about a stepper or voice coil actuator rather than a solenoid. The action of the solenoid being way too fast — unless you put some kind of valve in to limit the flow of air in and out (so that a quick action from the ‘noid produced negative pressure that took a second or two to equalize through the valve, the released allow the rubber glove to compress the air slow back through the valve.

Posted at 4:16 pm on May 18th, 2009 by Andrew Pollack

wow, a toy that sleeps. they had that in the 70’s it was called a “pet rock”.

Posted at 4:18 pm on May 18th, 2009 by VonSkippy

How many arduino’s are packed in there! 5? LMAO

lame,creepy, useless.. find another site to post your crap.

Posted at 7:11 pm on May 18th, 2009 by billhates

Ummm legionella anyone!

Posted at 12:24 am on May 19th, 2009 by grovenstien

Interesting Video man

Posted at 1:44 am on May 19th, 2009 by Filme Gratis

If this keeps up hackaday will need a “sloth hacks” section.

If that thing starts flailing it’s arms I’m so outta here.

Posted at 3:06 am on May 19th, 2009 by strider_mt2k

So if my cat stops breathing can i stuff some batteries in it to get him working again!

Posted at 4:22 am on May 19th, 2009 by grovenstien

Seriously marketable invention. This will probably be snatched up quickly by a major toy company or quickly imitated.

Posted at 4:48 am on May 19th, 2009 by ho0d0o

That’s some highly sophisticated electronics. I also like how the video and the serious voice makes this look like a great invention.

Posted at 6:58 am on May 19th, 2009 by Lupin

@ strider_mt2k:

I think we need a subset of the arduino hacks section: shit done with an arduino that should not be.

We probably need another section too, just labeled ‘wrong’, to stick slothra and the inevitable ‘twitter my bodily function’ hacks into. given the progress here, it’s only a matter of time before someone uses an arduino to build a toy sloth that detects and twitters bowel movements. they’ll have a big serious video about how it helps you child stay regular.

k.

Posted at 7:26 am on May 19th, 2009 by Khordas

zomg another sloth?!?

Posted at 7:50 am on May 19th, 2009 by lexi

@Khordas: Way to encourage them by thinking up the next project for ‘em! LOL

Posted at 8:21 am on May 19th, 2009 by strider_mt2k

stop this over-engineered arduino bullshit
i hate to become one of the trolls, but next hack pls

Posted at 9:25 am on May 19th, 2009 by bort

Lol, I agree Bort!

Posted at 7:51 pm on May 19th, 2009 by billhates

elmo goes emo?

Posted at 5:01 am on May 20th, 2009 by eMpTy

Although technically complicated due to miniaturization and programability, this is not functionally all that different from say, the midway amusements from a century ago that would “breath” and “talk”. Yes, it is interesting and looks like fun. But let’s not surpass our reach just yet, okay? A trained assistance dog (or other trained animal) is “very beneficial” to “special needs children”, a mechanical sloth is not.

Posted at 3:37 pm on May 20th, 2009 by ScrappyLaptop

Maybe this could be incorporated into the Real Doll for the Somnophilia market.

Posted at 6:11 pm on May 20th, 2009 by moocow

“The lifelike and calm behavior helps the child connect to the toy”
i wonder what will happen to the child when that rubber glove ruptures. Or better more, pops..
children with special needs suffer enough as it is

Posted at 11:15 pm on May 20th, 2009 by SIGTERMer

very informative thank you

Posted at 1:30 pm on Aug 14th, 2009 by Toddlers health