Interactive Demo · v4.1 Firmware

🐦‍⬛ Raven Animatronic
Controller

ESP32-based WiFi controller for the Mr. Chicken's Prop Shop Animatronic Raven Kit. Full web UI with MQTT integration for multi-prop show environments.

Simulated interface — all controls are functional demos
🐦‍⬛
Raven 1
raven1.local  ·  props/study/raven1  ·  v4.1.0
● caw
Connected
Built-in Sequences
Live Position
🪶 🪶
🐦‍⬛
Head
Beak & Wings
Body Bob
Raw Servo SSC-32U direct
0
1500
300
Custom Sequences
No custom sequences yet — create one in the Sequences tab
✓ Connected to raven1.local
→ MQTT: props/study/raven1
Firmware v4.1.0 · ESP32 WROOM · IP 192.168.1.42
Soundboard SPIFFS: 1.2MB / 3MB used
＋ Drop WAV files here or click to upload
Servo Calibration Adjust each position, then Save All
Keyframe Editor
Pose the raven using the Control tab, then click Add Keyframe to record each position
Channels: [Beak, Head Pan, Head Tilt, Wings, Body Bob]
Saved Sequences
No sequences saved yet
Device Identity
.local
MQTT Topic Hierarchy
props/study/raven1/[command]
MQTT Broker
WiFi
Firmware v4.1.0 · Build 2025-10-01 · Heap 182KB free
MQTT Integration

Single Bird

props/study/raven1/sequence props/study/raven1/command props/study/raven1/audio

Target one specific bird directly

Whole Room Wildcard

props/tiki_bar/+/sequence props/study/+/command

One message fires every bird in the room simultaneously

Whole Show

props/+/+/sequence props/+/+/query

Broadcast to every prop in every room at once

Bird Publishes

{prefix}/status → online/offline {prefix}/identity → JSON {prefix}/sounds/list → JSON

Automatic announcements on connect and query

📡
Captive Portal
First-boot WiFi setup via BirdSetup AP. No hardcoded credentials.
🔄
OTA Updates
Flash new firmware over WiFi. No USB cable needed mid-show.
🐕
Watchdog
30-second hardware watchdog. Auto-reboots if firmware hangs.
💀
Last Will
MQTT broker flags the bird offline instantly if it drops.
🔁
Auto-Reconnect
WiFi drops mid-show? Exponential backoff reconnect, automatic.
🎬
Keyframe Editor
Pose → record → save. Custom sequences playable via MQTT.
Animatronic Bird Controller v4.1 · MIT License
Firmware by BryanHaven · Raven kit by Mr. Chicken's Prop Shop · Developed with Claude (Anthropic)