Animatronic arms exhibiting autonomous movement. One decides how to move, and the other attempts to mirror. The synchronized motion mirrors the perpetual struggle for two beings to remain aligned. Due to the unique nature of each individual — in this case due to slight mechanical variations — they are destined to occasionally fall out of sync, despite following the same path and values. But this makes it all the more beautiful when it eventually falls into place and coalescence (Samspel) is achieved.

Driven by cable actuation and inverse kinematics, the arms determine their destination, make precise calculations, and servos rotate to pull strings accordingly. The dual-stage design of the arms — where the top section moves independently from the bottom — allows for a sinusoidal movement pattern, emulating organic motion. Built using custom 3D-printed parts and ESP32-based electronics, the project further utilizes IoT networking to achieve cross-arm communication, binding two distinct entities into a single system. Onlooker detection via infrared sensors is used to cycle sleep, allowing the arms to rest in the absence of an observer.

The arms’ lifelike motion may place them in the “Uncanny Valley”, where artificial entities appear organic, sometimes evoking an uneasy response. But since the arms forge their own path without external interference, who is to say such a response is warranted? At what point does automation transcend mechanism?