A vocabulary of movement
Building towards a library of poses and sequences for listening, thinking, curiosity and rest. Timing and transitions matter as much as the pose itself.
Giving machines a little character.
Puppetry, animatronics and software meet in my exploration of expressive companion robots.
I’m interested in the moments beyond words: the tilt of a head, a pause, a listening pose and the movement that makes a character feel attentive.
Character, one movement at a time.
My starting point is a simple question: what should this movement communicate?
- PoseGive the intention a shape.
- TransitionMove with a clear rhythm.
- PauseLeave room for a response.
Wolfie: from robot dog to expressive character.
My current work centres on a SunFounder PiDog, exploring how physical responses can complement a character’s voice and personality.
Puppetry meets AI
Exploring how scripted dialogue, and eventually live conversation, could coordinate with expressive physical behaviour. A more characterful animatronic dog is the next ambition.
Small movements. A lot of personality.
These are movement ideas I’m exploring for Wolfie’s pose library. Each needs a clear pose, a thoughtful transition and the right timing.
Listening
A gentle head tilt, a still body and a pause that leaves room for the person to speak.
Curiosity
A small change in gaze or posture, followed by a pause before the next movement.
Rest
Slower transitions and a settled pose, giving the character a quieter rhythm.
Why this belongs beside my software work.
Teaching, storytelling and robotics all ask a similar question: how do we communicate clearly, help someone feel understood and make the next response meaningful?