Blinki: An OpenCv Controlled Robot Head

Blinki: An Opencv based Teleoperable Cute Robot head.

(Still Ongoing)

Youtube : https://youtube.com/shorts/uMCWfTkQK3c?feature=share

Code for controlling head is opensourced : https://github.com/vikas-meu/ST3215_robot_head_using_opencv.git

This project is a simple robotic head that can move according to my head movement and also show expressions using an 8×8 LED matrix display.I built this project to learn more about computer vision and servo motor control in a practical way.

The idea was to make a small robot head that feels interactive instead of just a normal motor setup. So I added an LED matrix to act like eyes and simple facial expressions.

How It Works

I used a camera with OpenCV and MediaPipe libraries to track my head orientation in real time.When I move my head left, right, up, or down, the program calculates the direction and sends that data through serial communication to the servo motor.

The robot head is moved using a Waveshare ST3215 serial bus servo motor, which gives smooth and accurate rotation.Along with movement, the 8×8 LED matrix displays eye patterns and small animations, which makes the robot look more alive and expressive.

Main Components

8×8 LED Matrix Display

• 8×8 LED Matrix Display

Waveshare ST3215 Serial Bus Servo Motor

• Waveshare ST3215 Serial Bus Servo Motor

Motor Driver

• Waveshare st3215 Motor Driver

Camera for head tracking

• Camera for head tracking

OpenCV + MediaPipe Libraries

• OpenCV + MediaPipe Libraries

Why I Made This

for fun abiuosly.. but I also wanted to combine software and hardware in one project.Instead of building a full robot, I focused only on the head so I could properly understand tracking, serial communication, and servo control.

Future Plans

Later I may add:

More LED expressions

• More LED expressions

Two-axis movement (pan + tilt)

• Two-axis movement (pan + tilt)

Voice control

• Voice control

I am Vikas

I Love Robotics ❤️