Kelsey Stilson
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  • Furby Dissection

A blog documenting the form and function
of our digital friends.

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Why the furby?

The furby is the perfect platform to deconstruct electromechanical systems, compare them to their biological counterparts, and delve a bit into the psychology of why we like cute things.

The furby was designed as a tomagatchi you could pet, i.e., the tactile nature of the furby is just as important as the moving gears and software personality. It has big eyes and ears relative to the body, large head, a rounded shape, soft fur, and small mouth with a tongue. The furby is also safe. Nothing on a furby can harm you. These are all features seen in babies and young juveniles in both domestic and wild populations. They signal that the animal is helpless and needs protection. In fact, the more furbies you buy, the more you can protect, right? The furby is economics + robotics + social change + evolutionary theory.


Sensors on the furby: light sensor, IR sensor, three touch sensors, sound sensor, and a tilt/upside down sensor.
Motors on the furby: only one! Driven by a gearing system.
"Brains" in the furby: Two! A main microprocessor and a separate "speech center".

Furby Face Mask Tutorial

4/6/2020

3 Comments

 
Yesterday I was searching for mask tutorials to send to a friend. I wanted something special. Something they would remember. This was not necessary. They just wanted a quick face mask a non-sewer could easily put together. It was strange that they asked me to do this.

While there are a plethora of practical mask tutorials, I've noticed a disturbing lack of medical mask bling or vanity face coverings. I knew this had to change. The result was this FAST 30 MINUTE tutorial to make a mask cover out of a furby.

One note: I am not an expert (PLEASE check the CDC or your country's equivalent for the latest information). I am just a lone graduate candidate with furbies and some time right now.

One request: If you make a furby mask, please take a picture of someone wearing it and @ me on twitter. #FurbyMask



Materials
1 Adult Furby
Scissors
Hot Glue and/or Super Glue
Ribbon
Fabric for mask liner
Small Phillips head screwdriver (+)
Seam ripper (optional)

Step 1. Get some furby fur

If you are wondering how to skin your furby, please see 'Furby Dissection Part I'.
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This mask guarantees that people will keep at least six feet away from you. Probably more.


Step 2. Turn furby fur inside out

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Turn around to the back of the furby and look for the midline suture. Furbies have bilateral symmetery, just like us! Notice the charred bits. They are the melted ends of the fabric... er, skin. Fabric skin.


Step 3. Rip out midline seam

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If you can't get the seam, just cut at the midline. There will not be much difference.

Step 4. Admire your handiwork

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Looks kind of like a bat.

OK, now move on to the eyes.


Step 5. Unscrew the eye plate from the 

First, remove the screws on the tummy speaker and pull off the speaker.
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Now, unscrew the faceplate screw just ventral to (under) the beak.
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Flip the furby from anterior to posterior view and unscrew the back plate holding the ears cartilages.
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OK, you are one screw away from getting the faceplate. All you have to do is pull down the gear plate controlling the ear cartilages.
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Now that all the screws are out, turn your furby laterally (to the side), grip the top and bottom of the faceplate, and PULL away from the body. The faceplate will POP out!
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Step 6. 
Glue the faceplate to the inside of the furby fur.

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I started with superglue, butthen got impatient and used the hot glue gun. I think I areosolized some super glue in the process. Would not recommend.

Step 7. Glue the eyelids and mouth open from the back.

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This even scares me a little.

Step 8. Glue or Sew ties to your mask

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I just hot glued it.


Step 9. Put in a washable liner

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I just folded in a washable cloth napkin I had. You can also use a thin mask and just wear it underneath your furby. Careful when touching the outer furby mask, as particles from outisde could attach to it as you wear it. Replace the inside liner every day.

Step 10. Glue the ears.

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Use hot glue, super glue, or sew the layers together. If you don't, the ears will flop forward, which is a cool fashion statement all on its own.

Step 11. Done!

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Now you are safe to go outside! Or take pictures inside! Give to a roommate for extra points.


Glamour Shots

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3 Comments

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