Ouija Robot

The Ouija Robot operates by combining cloud-based software, single-board computing, and precision mechatronics to physically render digital text. At the heart of the system is a Raspberry Pi, which runs a custom script designed to interface with the Twitter API. This script continuously monitors a specific account or feed for incoming tweets. Once a new tweet is captured, the Raspberry Pi processes the text string character by character, translating the letters into spatial coordinates mapped across the custom laser-cut Ouija board. To execute the physical movement, the Raspberry Pi communicates with the Adafruit Crickit expansion board. The Crickit manages the actuation signals, driving the motors connected to the mannequin arm and the laser-cut planchette. As the arm articulates, it guides the planchette smoothly across the board's surface, pausing at the appropriate letters to spell out the received message. A local 3.5" TFT display attached to the Raspberry Pi provides a convenient visual interface, allowing operators to monitor system status, view incoming tweets in real time, and troubleshoot the script without needing an external desktop monitor. Through this integrated pipeline, ephemeral data from social media is successfully translated into a kinetic, physical performance.