HOW TO MAKE ALMOST ANYTHING - MACHINE WEEK
The board is modeled after the automated Chess Player - the first 'artificial intelligence' machine created in 1770. The entire world was gripped by this machine which could autonomously play chess againt grandmsters, yet in reality a small person inhabited the cavity below the table and moved the pieces via magent. Hence, our ouija xy-gantry of cursors and magents was born.
Our project is an automated, “haunted” Ouija board that appears to move on its own, creating the illusion of an invisible presence guiding the planchette. At the core of the system is a CoreXY gantry mounted beneath the tabletop. This gantry carries a powerful electromagnet that tracks along the X–Y plane under the board. A magnet embedded in the planchette couples it to the motion of the gantry, so when the electromagnet moves, the cursor glides smoothly across the engraved letters and symbols on the board. The motion is fully programmable, allowing us to script specific words, patterns, or behaviors that match different storylines or user prompts.
The board consists of the engraved surface, the planchette with magnet, the supporting table structure, and the hidden CoreXY below. The visible assembly is designed to look clean, mystical, and slightly ominous, while the underside contains the entire motion system that creates the illusion of supernatural movement.
A user places their hands lightly on the planchette. Once the interaction begins, the hidden gantry moves along a pre-programmed path. Because the cursor’s motion is magnetically coupled and extremely smooth, the user perceives the planchette as being guided by an unseen force. The table and ambient setup emphasize mystery and theatrical illusion.
The project was divided into several subteams that worked in parallel. The gantry team designed and built the CoreXY mechanism, focusing on precise motion control, belt routing, and structural stiffness to ensure planchette control is repeatable and smooth.
The software/electronics team worked on communicating with the gantry stepper motors and ensuring reliable control of the planchette, while deliberately adding eerie, jerky movements to enhance the “haunted” effect.
The design/woodworking team developed the physical board and table: the form factor, joinery, materials, and graphic layout that balance legibility with an intentionally eerie aesthetic.
The end effector/cursor team designed the planchette and magnet assembly, tuning magnet strength, weight, and clearances so the cursor feels light and “ghostly” while remaining reliably coupled to the gantry underneath.
The ambiance team created the surrounding experience, including narrative elements such as creepy falling candles that heighten the tension and make the installation feel like a ritual scene.
Together, these elements transform a traditional Ouija board into an engineered interactive installation: part mechanical system, part user interface, and part theatrical illusion.
