Instructables user lkkalebob shows us how to creep out friends and family with this DIY animatronic eye project.

Picture this. You’re sorting your way through a pile of dirty laundry. You toss aside a pair of jeans that totally could be worn again, and there, nestled between the underwear and shirts, a giant eyeball springs to life — frantically looking between you and the door — the wide-eyed horror palpably burned into its… eye.

Chilling stuff. No? Well… it’s probably better seen than described with half-baked analogies. Which is exactly what Instuctables user lkkalebob decided, too. He posted a detailed video outlining the process on his Youtube channel, where he also goes by Will Cogley.

The original of this animatronic eye is simple. After buying a new 3D printer, Cogley set his sights on an ambitious but achievable project to test it out.

Best of all, all you need is a 3D printer, some cheap components and a little Arduino know-how.

Building the Animatronic Eye

To assemble this horrifying contraption, Cogley turned to a few different processes. In fact, the eye shell, lid and base are all 3D printed, with the final assembly a case of slotting and bolting parts together.

Finishing of the eyeball and lid is required for next-level realism (well, as real as disembodied eyes go.) On a smooth surface, a lick of paint for detail and final touch up with epoxy adds a lifelike sheen.

The electronics behind the eye operate via an Arduino board, that Cogley says requires at least 4 PMW pins in order to support the 4 SG90 servo motors the build uses.

Cogley even goes so far as to include a wiring diagram and some lines of code on the Instructables project page for the eye. These give you a clear plan to follow for hooking up the servos, potentiometer and Arduino, and controlling it all via a thumbstick.

When controlled with a deft hand, the end result is nothing short or eerie.

Thinking about printing this for yourself? All the files are up on the Instructables page to download. Let us know how it goes in the comments below.

Source: Instructables