A fanmade animatronic robot powered by local AI, embedded control systems, and custom hardware.
E.L.B.E.R.R. is a fanmade animatronic project inspired by the robot featured in the animations from LIGHTS ARE OFF.
The goal of this project is to recreate the character as a physical animatronic robot using a custom local AI system, embedded motor control, sensors, and purpose-built hardware. E.L.B.E.R.R. is designed as a self-contained robot that can process information locally, control its own actuators, and respond through real-time embedded systems.
This is an unofficial fan project. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced by LIGHTS ARE OFF.
Reference image of the robot from the original animation.
E.L.B.E.R.R. is built around a three-processor architecture:
- A Raspberry Pi 5 acts as the primary computer, running the local AI system, behavior engine, perception, and overall robot coordination.
- An ESP32-S3 serves as the communication and sensing processor, handling environmental sensors, wireless connectivity, and RF communication.
- An STM32 microcontroller is dedicated to real-time servo and actuator control, ensuring smooth, deterministic motion and reliable animatronic performance.
This separation allows each processor to focus on a specific task while keeping motion control isolated from higher-level software.
flowchart LR
Camera[Camera / Sensors] --> ESP[ESP32-S3]
Mic[Microphone] --> ESP
Other[Embedded Sensors] --> ESP
ESP --> Pi[Raspberry Pi 5]
Pi --> AI[Local AI System]
AI --> Behavior[Behavior Engine]
Pi --> STM[STM32]
STM --> Servos[Servos]
STM --> Actuators[Animatronic Actuators]
STM --> Safety[Motion Safety]
| Subsystem | Component | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Main computer | Raspberry Pi 5 | Local AI, behavior logic, planning, vision processing, networking, and system orchestration |
| Sensor & RF controller | ESP32-S3 | Environmental sensors, wireless communication, RF capabilities, and data collection |
| Motion controller | STM32 | Real-time servo control, actuator control, deterministic timing, and motion safety |
| Mechanical system | Animatronic frame | Physical movement, expression, and character presence |
| Sensors | Cameras, microphones, IMUs, and embedded sensors | Environmental input and interaction data |
| PCB design | KiCad | Custom circuit design, wiring organization, and hardware integration |
| Firmware | C++ | Embedded software for STM32 and ESP32-S3 |
The Raspberry Pi 5 is the central computer of E.L.B.E.R.R.
Its responsibilities include:
- Running the local AI system
- Managing high-level robot behavior
- Processing perception data received from the ESP32-S3
- Coordinating communication between all processors
- Handling networking, logging, and debugging
- Making behavioral decisions before sending motion commands to the STM32
The Pi is responsible for what the robot thinks.
The ESP32-S3 is dedicated to sensing and wireless communication.
Its responsibilities include:
- Reading environmental sensors
- Collecting camera and microphone interface data where applicable
- Monitoring digital and analog inputs
- Handling RF and wireless communication
- Forwarding sensor information to the Raspberry Pi 5
- Providing low-power peripheral management
The ESP32-S3 is responsible for what the robot perceives and how it communicates with external devices.
The STM32 is dedicated to real-time motion control.
Its responsibilities include:
- Driving servos and animatronic actuators
- Generating precise PWM outputs
- Executing smooth motion profiles
- Enforcing movement limits
- Monitoring actuator timing
- Executing commands received from the Raspberry Pi 5
The STM32 is responsible for how the robot moves.
E.L.B.E.R.R./
|-- firmware/
| |-- stm32/
| |-- esp32/
| `-- shared/
|-- hardware/
| |-- pcb/
| `-- README.md
|-- ai/
| |-- models/
| |-- behavior/
| `-- README.md
|-- docs/
|-- elberr.jpg
|-- elberr.png
|-- README.md
`-- LICENSE
| Area | Technology |
|---|---|
| Main compute | Raspberry Pi 5 |
| Sensor processor | ESP32-S3 |
| Motion controller | STM32 |
| Firmware | C++ |
| PCB design | KiCad |
| 3D modeling | Fusion 360 |
| AI | Local custom AI system |
| Architecture | Distributed embedded system |
Animatronics combine electronics, moving parts, power systems, and mechanical force. E.L.B.E.R.R. is being designed with safety in mind.
Planned safety considerations include:
- Servo travel limits
- Motion profiling
- Emergency stop behavior
- Current monitoring
- Thermal monitoring
- Firmware-level failsafes
- Sensor validation
- Clear wiring and connector documentation
This project is inspired by the robot created in the animations from LIGHTS ARE OFF.
E.L.B.E.R.R. is a fanmade physical interpretation of that concept, built as a personal robotics, AI, and embedded systems project.
This project is licensed under the MIT License.
See the LICENSE file for details.