Faculty of Arts & Science

Digital Futures

Angelina Do

"Fairy Dust" – Wearable Animatronic Wings

Fairy Dust is an interactive, wearable electronics project that brings fantasy to life through technology. This piece features custom-built animatronic fairy wings that respond to the wearer’s body movements, creating a magical, lifelike fluttering effect. Designed for cosplay, performance, or immersive experiences, the wings combine soft textile craftsmanship with microcontroller-powered automation.

“Fairy Dust was created to explore the fusion of fantasy aesthetics with real-time interactivity through wearable tech. The project focuses on soft circuit design, animatronics, and user-driven motion sensing to make costume elements feel alive. It also serves as a hands-on study in building expressive, responsive wearables using accessible microcontroller platforms and textile-based circuitry.Core Features:🧚‍♀️ Motion-Reactive Wings: Wings flap continuously while the wearer is idle, adding an ethereal, graceful presence.🧍‍♀️ Movement Detection: When the wearer bends down or shifts position, onboard sensors detect the motion and stop the wing movement to simulate rest or pause.🧵 Hand-Sewn Conductive Thread Circuits: All electronics are carefully stitched into the costume using conductive thread, allowing for flexible, wearable wiring that integrates seamlessly with fabric.💡 Microcontroller-Powered: Controlled by Adafruit’s Circuit Playground Express, which reads sensor input and manages servo motor output for smooth, reactive motion.”