The Vision: Commissioned by Jones Lang LaSalle for their Portland corporate headquarters, this project demanded a functional conversation piece that bridged pop-culture nostalgia with high-end hospitality. The goal was a fully mobile, remote-controlled kinetic sculpture capable of navigating the office and dispensing draft beer to clients and staff, all while maintaining the aesthetic character of its Star Wars inspiration.

The Engineering: The primary engineering challenge was mobilizing a functional refrigeration unit without compromising the animatronic character. To handle the significant dynamic load of a fully stocked keg and refrigeration unit, I engineered a drivetrain using high-torque electric wheelchair motors. I modified the control electronics to interface with standard RC protocols, allowing for precise, remote-controlled navigation in tight office environments.

Distributed Control Architecture: Rather than a single central processor, the system utilized a distributed network of multiple microcontrollers (Teensy and Arduino) working in parallel. These dedicated controllers managed the animatronic subsystems—dome rotation, lights, and sound effects—while discrete electronics handled the high-current switching required for the safety interlocks and power distribution to the motors.