Transforming the Playdate device into the Tiniest Adorable Robot Machine Yet through Modification
Buddy's $200 Playtime Buddy has had an intriguing journey as a compact gaming device, but the adorable handheld with a crank has shown it can do more than just play games. Now, this little handheld might have some mobility options in the form of a wheelchair-like add-on. With the PlayPal dock, the device can move around on its own. More than that, it transforms it into an interactive, playful pet robot, similar to the KEYi Companion.
A French DIY hardware engineer named Guillaume Loquin designed the PlayPal, a dock for the Playtime Buddy that attaches to two wheels, a motor, and a few extra surprises in its 3D-printed shell. Loquin developed additional software that uses the device’s accelerometer and microphone to interact with the user and the world around it. Along with PlayPal’s built-in IR, distance, and light sensors, the Playtime Buddy becomes a desk-side pet with a surprising amount of personality. In a video, PlayPal stirs awake when prodded. It can also stop itself from rolling off the desk.
The side-loaded software includes all-new animations, giving the Playtime Buddy expressive eyes similar to the device’s original startup animation. When you turn the crank, it cycles through half a dozen eye types, making the little bot woozy. Loquin provided all the code for the companion app, plus all the STL and PCB files for the hardware, on their GitHub profile. You can build one yourself with the right board and access to a 3D printer.
PlayPal is built using a Teensy 4.1 microcontroller, while everything else is printed. It makes it a rather simple build for those who know what they’re doing, and it’s well worth it if you own a Playtime Buddy and wish to make it your favorite desktop companion. The dock also acts as a place to charge your Playtime Buddy when it’s not in use. The developer stated that the dock typically provides around 45 minutes of activity on a full charge.
© Gif: Guillaume Loquin
The PlayPal’s open-source nature also allows more developers and animators to develop new capabilities. I could envision attaching a pencil holder onto the shell and using a gesture to summon PlayPal to my side of the desk when I need to jot down a thought. Inefficient? Absolutely. Extremely cute? Without a doubt.
The Playtime Buddy itself has proven to have a surprising amount of longevity. Developer Panic has its on-device app store that includes a diverse range of titles, e-readers, and other distractions for your $200 gadget. Last month, Playtime Buddy showcased a few arcade cabinet-style devices to promote some landmark Playtime Buddy titles. However, I prefer my devices to be small and portable. Now, I can’t help but imagine how amazing it would be to have my Steam Deck dock roll up to me on wheels every time I’m in the mood for portable gaming.
The future of the Playtime Buddy looks promising with the potential for more tech innovations, such as the integration of the PlayPal dock turning it into an interactive pet robot. Guillaume Loquin has shared all the required code and files for building your own PlayPal dock on their GitHub profile, suggesting a future filled with DIY customizations for this handheld device.
