KINEMACHINA

Bring your collection to life

A robotics platform that gives your sci-fi figures computer vision, interactive battles, and cinematic effects.

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What is KineMachina?

KineMachina is a turntable robotics platform that transforms your sci-fi collectibles into living, reactive machines. Mount your favorite kaiju, starship, or mech — then watch it track targets with computer vision, battle opponents, and perform choreographed sequences with LED and sound effects.

Powered by a Raspberry Pi and ESP32 controllers, KineMachina combines YOLO object detection, MQTT-driven motor and effects control, and a full desktop arena app into one open-source platform.

KineMachina device with a kaiju figure mounted

Features

🎯

Computer Vision

YOLO-powered object detection with a fixed camera. Your figure automatically tracks targets in real time.

Interactive Battles

Two-player kaiju battles with HP tracking, attacks, defense moves, and hit resolution based on motor heading.

🎮

Gamepad Control

Plug in any HID gamepad for direct control. Map sticks to motor heading and buttons to sound effects.

LED & Sound Effects

NeoPixel LED strips and I2S audio driven by ESP32 controllers. 17 built-in LED effects with custom audio.

🎬

Choreography

Script timed sequences of motor movements, LED effects, and audio with a visual timeline editor.

🚀

Multi-Figure Support

Mount kaiju, starships, mechs — anything. Multiple turntables can battle, dance, or perform together.

How It Works

1

See

USB camera captures the arena in real time.

2

Think

Raspberry Pi runs YOLO object detection to identify and track targets.

3

Command

MQTT messages sent to ESP32 controllers with motor heading and effect triggers.

4

React

Turntable rotates, LEDs fire, audio plays — your figure comes alive.

Tech Specs

Brain

Raspberry Pi 4/5

Controllers

ESP32-S3 (motor + effects)

Vision

USB camera + YOLOv8 object detection

Motors

Stepper motor with microstepping

LEDs

WS2812B NeoPixel strips, 17 built-in effects

Audio

I2S DAC output, custom sound packs

Communication

MQTT over WiFi

Software

Python (Pi), C++ (ESP32), Python/Qt (desktop app)

See It In Action

KineMachina Manager

The desktop app that controls it all — vision tracking, battles, choreography, and effects.

Combatants configuration tab showing attacks, defenses, and emotes for Ghidorah with damage values and effect names
Effects tab with a list of audio and LED effects and a local audio file browser for assigning sounds
Battle Arena tab with live camera feeds for Godzilla and Ghidorah, HP bars, attack and defense controls, and a battle log

Make It Yours

🔄

Mount Anything

The turntable platform accepts a wide range of figures. Kaiju, mechs, starships — if it fits, it works. Multiple turntables can battle or perform together.

🎵

Add Your Own Effects

Drop in custom audio files, create new LED patterns, or script choreographed sequences with the timeline editor. No coding required for basic customization.

🔧

Hack the Platform

Full source code available. Swap in different CV models, add new MQTT commands, build your own arena app features. Python and C++ — tools you already know.

FAQ

How hard is it to build?

Basic assembly required. No soldering — connections use standard headers and connectors. If you've set up a Raspberry Pi before, you can do this.

What figures work with it?

Most standard-size collectibles — kaiju, mechs, starships, action figures. If it fits on the turntable platform and isn't too heavy for the stepper motor, it'll work.

Do I need to know how to code?

No. The desktop app handles everything — battles, tracking, effects, choreography. But if you want to hack on it, the source code is open.

What do I need to buy separately?

A Raspberry Pi 4 or 5, a USB camera, and a power supply. Everything else comes in the kit.

Is it open source?

Yes. Firmware, hardware designs, and software are open source. You can contribute, fork, or just learn from the code.

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