Interactive Claw Game

In the project's initial phase, we sourced a local crane gantry for swift customization. Subsequently, we tailored the claw design to match our client's vision of an industrial, weathered aesthetic. Employing deliberate distressing techniques such as abrasive damage and controlled burning, we enhanced the claw's realism, ensuring an immersive experience for attendees.

To replicate the functionality of traditional claw machines, our team undertook the task of integrating essential components into the existing gantry framework. This involved incorporating a hydraulic system, custom gearbox, and an Arduino PCB board. With assistance from an external engineering team, we completed the integration process, ensuring seamless operation and functionality aligned with our design objectives.

The trucks prize box was retrofitted with a sturdy aluminum and poly carbonate boxed framed, filled with various prize boxes, fabricated from a sturdy Type 3 Styrofoam. This material would ensure the boxes can take a beating for the ten days the attraction was active.

Central to our project was the creation of an external control box, allowing users to operate the system like a traditional claw game. Drawing inspiration from the dashboard of a 2024 GMC pickup, we crafted a design based on simple geometric shapes. To enhance authenticity, GMC Canada supplied a 2024 GMC steering wheel & shifter unit directly from the assembly factory in Mexico for integration into our final design.

To ensure seamless operation and minimal signal interruptions, the control box served as a receiver for the integrated PCB board within the gantry. This necessitated attention to the compatibility of the components sent to us. Consequently, we undertook a process of reverse-engineering the steering wheel & shifter provided by GMC Canada, ensuring their responsiveness to the electrical framework in the gantry. The majority of this intricate work was executed in-house by our fabrication team.

Following the prep of the electronic components, we began to fabricate the control box. Each detail was attended to, from painting to the application of vinyl decals mimicking the diamond texture commonly found on truck bed storage boxes. The shifter, steering wheel, and arcade style buttons were then installed & connected to the box's central PCB board. Emulating the design of a truck's inner console, multiple monitors were integrated into the box, offering players a live top-down view via GoPro of the prize box before making their move.

This project presented unique challenges that have been evaluated for future Calgary Stampede events. Some challenges I came across included: