One might be tempted to think that re-creating a film robot from the 1950s would be easy given all the tools and technology available to the modern hobbyist, but as [Mike Ogrinz]’s quest to re-create Robby the Robot shows us, there is a lot moving around inside that domed head, and requires careful and clever work.
Just as one example, topping Robby’s head is a mechanical assembly known as the dome gyros. It looks simple, but as the video (embedded below) shows, re-creating it involves a load of moving parts and looks like a fantastic amount of work has gone into it. At least bearings are inexpensive and common nowadays, and not having to meet film deadlines also means one can afford to design things in a way that allows for easier disassembly and maintenance.
Robby the Robot first appeared in the 1956 film Forbidden Planet and went on to appear in other movies and television programs. Robby went up for auction in 2017 and luckily [Mike] was able to take tons of reference photos. Combined with other enthusiasts’ efforts, his replica is shaping up nicely.
We’ve seen [Mike]’s work before when he shared his radioactive Night Blossoms which will glow for decades to come. His work on Robby looks amazing, and we can’t wait to see how it progresses.
Robby’s gyros : done
Now let’s work on Robby’s belly whisky factory…
‘Cheap bourbon with traces of fusol oil’ the space swabby’s friend!@
They say there’s no such thing as bad publicity, but OMG that picture of me, lol. Thanks so much for the write up :) He’s definitely a big work-in-progress!
Reminds me of Clickspring’s reconstruction of the lunar phase dial on his Antikythera mechanism. But with way less bronze.
I’m in the process of getting a patent for something that should have already been made and we have the technology to make it, and once I secure the patent , I’m going to need help finding people who knows how to build things like this. Once when I finish the prototype and have the patent I’ll be sure to post it here. It’s something that when I tell people they think I’m crazy and it’s something that will change the world !!
I can hardly wait.
Hopefully it’s better than a Segway.
4 years ago, “Robothut” on YT did a series of videos about duplicating Robby’s innards… search his videos page for “Robby”. Here’s a start… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A14BFx-VXLM