Snoozy the Sloth: A Breathing Plush Toy

Snoozy the Sloth is a plush toy with a respiratory system. He sleeps while clinging onto a user, allowing them to feel both the contraction and expansion of his chest, as well exhaling of air from his mouth. The main concept behind snoozy is to create an intimate, yet passive, toy interaction that relaxes and comforts a user, through the tactile experience of steady breathing patterns. 

Role 1: Amanda is a 9 year old girl who's often troubled by riding in the car. She's usually comforted by one of her parents or siblings, but when it's just she and her mom riding in the car, she becomes quite upset. Snoozy gentle breathing patterns and soft body can help calm her down during those lonely rides. 

Role 2: Erin is a 24 year old female currently attending grad school. With her busy schedule, she rarely has time for intimate encounters with others. Using Snoozy allows her to have a lifelike friend to cuddle with when she needs some company. He can also be used as a method for stress relief. 

core circuit

final video

Snoozy Sales Sheet

Creating a system that was battery powered, and used actual air flow rather than simply faking chest movemment with a motorized system, were of main importance. Snoozy's main internals consist:

• an arduino
• a breadboard
• 2 dc motor diaphram pumps
• a latex glove (his lung)
• 1 9v battery
• 1 12v battery
• a solenoid valve.

The circuit uses 2 TIP102 transistors to seperate the 9v going to the Arduino, and 12v going to the motors and solenoid valve. The pumps, each located in one of his legs, push air into the latex glove until it's fully contracted. The motors then shut off, and the air is released through by solenoid valve located in his head. An located in the Snoozy's chest, fades in and out in accordance with his breathing. The pumps seemed a bit loud at first, however the majority of user testers seemed to not mind the noise. I'm still in the process finding a quieter alternative, with enough pressure to inflate the latex lung.

Comments

[educational toys]

Digital circuits? Come'on now, I never enjoyed that course in college.

[Gucci Shoes]

wow i love t hat SO much... can i cut and paste it into my blog?? but give u credit, of course???

[Jordan Sneakers]

Your article is written very content, All of the projects look great! you make it look so simple to make this purse that I'll have to try it myself! Thanks!

[respiratory system]

Interesting hom much they can cost. I can't find them on ebay :(

[berkeley bag]

I really love fashion show , it are amazing because we can see a lot of nice designs and give our personal opinion to the designers.
20110217pilipalagaga