Mechanics and construction
Assemblies, joints, clearances and interfaces. Work in Fusion prepares later decisions on materials, manufacturing and assembly.
Explore the mechanics →MY LAB / ROBOTICS AND AI
Robotics.From idea to motion.
Mechanics, control and artificial intelligence. My journey towards a full-size robot, one check at a time.
PROJECT IN DEVELOPMENTCAD · CONTROL · LOCAL AIJOURNAL / NOVEMBER 2026
01 / THE JOURNEY
Software, matter and motion.
I have enrolled in a master’s programme in Computer Engineering, specialising in Robotics. This personal lab documents the work alongside that journey: mechanical design, electronics, control and artificial intelligence applied to a physical robot.
The central project is Johnny 5, the robot from Short Circuit. I want to build a full-size replica with the closest possible fidelity to the film robot. I am developing it towards my final thesis, documenting decisions, modifications and checks along the way.
Here I publish work I can show and explain: CAD models, component details, kinematic tests and architectural decisions. Each update distinguishes work on the computer from checks that will require the physical prototype.
02 / THE PROJECT
One robot. Many disciplines.
JOHNNY 5 / IN DEVELOPMENT
From cinema to the lab.
Johnny 5’s recognisable form meets an engineering process: modified and redesigned components, assembly integration and preparation of an architecture with onboard local AI.
A closer look at the project03 / AREAS OF WORK
Every part has a story.
Electronics and control
From command to motion: central controller, microcontrollers, drivers and actuators. A chain still to be sized and checked on hardware.
Read the planned architecture →Local artificial intelligence
The project plans an onboard Mac Studio for AI and vision. Perception, dialogue and coordination will be developed alongside the control layers.
Discover the role of AI →Journal and research
Problems encountered, corrections and verifiable results. Documentation that grows with the project and supports the work towards the thesis.
Read the first technical entry →04 / THE METHOD
Making the process visible.
Each entry starts with a concrete question: what should this component do, which constraint must it satisfy, and how do I check that a change worked?
I retain the initial reference, compare revisions and record test results. The journal also covers open issues: it helps explain the project and recover the reasoning behind a decision when moving to the next phase.
An essential foundation, a personal evolution.
OpenSAINT was an essential starting point. From that foundation I have modified many components and completely redesigned some of them. Documenting both the source and my contribution makes the robot’s evolution clear. Origins and personal contribution →
05 / FROM THE JOURNAL
Two finger segments, one more check.
3 November 2026 · A correction to CAD surfaces, comparison with the initial geometry and motion checks after reintegration into the assembly.
Open the technical entry →Sources and images
OpenSAINT / Input Inc. was an essential starting point. Simone Renzi’s project includes modifications to many components and the complete redesign of some of them. The CAD views were exported from his assembly in Autodesk Fusion and show work in progress. OpenSAINT · Base CAD licence · Derived CAD views: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. An independent personal project inspired by the robot from Short Circuit.
OpenSAINT / Input Inc. was an essential starting point. Simone Renzi’s project includes modifications to many components and the complete redesign of some of them. The CAD views were exported from his assembly in Autodesk Fusion and show work in progress. OpenSAINT · Base CAD licence · Derived CAD views: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. An independent personal project inspired by the robot from Short Circuit.