Etch A Sketch Robot: Overview

Overview

This is a University of Liverpool Year 2 project.

Our project explores automated drawing machines using an Etch A Sketch board, integrating both hardware and software aspects. The system's objective is to create an automation for art crafts powered by engineering and technology. 

The system consists of a host computer for image processing, a microcontroller for motor control, and stepper motors for precise movement. The host computer processes input images, applies edge detection and path optimization algorithms, and generates G-code instructions. These instructions are then sent to an Arduino-based microcontroller, which controls the A4988 stepper motor drivers to manipulate the Etch A Sketch knobs.

On the software side, we utilize OpenCV for image processing, employing Canny edge detection and a depth-first search (DFS) algorithm to generate continuous, single-line drawings. The G-code interpreter ensures smooth motor execution, translating digital paths into precise physical sketches.

The project successfully demonstrates computational graphic processing and motion control, though it operates in an open-loop configuration, leading to minor accuracy limitations. Future improvements could include closed-loop feedback control to enhance precision.

This project is entirely open source, with image processing, G-code generation scripts and embedded controller source code available here.

Result

Team Members

  • Mingjie Zhu
  • Matteo Venuti
  • Zhexi Zhang
  • Yuxuan Zhuang
  • Monong Yang

Acknowledgement

This project is supported by University of Liverpool.

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