Ariel Yahni Designed an RC Toilet Paper Roll That Actually Rolls Around
Need some TP? You'll have to catch it!
Today, for various reasons, toilet paper seems to be in short supply. So if you saw a roll of TP on the ground near you, it’d at least attract some attention. If, however, you tried to pick this one up, it can actually scurry away thanks to some significant modifications made by hacker Ariel Yahni.
This of course is no ordinary roll-o-paper, but contains a pair of gearmotors and wheels, and a remote control setup to move it around. Yahni shows how it’s made in the video below, forming a structure for the motors with popsicle sticks and hot glue, and modifying the cardboard roll to allow the additions inside. He then wraps it with new paper, using glue as needed. The control configuration isn’t explicitly outlined, but it includes a small 450mAh battery and what appears to be pretty standard RC equipment.
Slits are added for the wheels, enabling it to traverse a mall, apparently looking for a bathroom. Yahni notes that “this footage was taken in December 2019 when toilet papers weren't booming,” and when malls were actually open. While he followed a “make it as I go” approach here, perhaps we’ll see a second version at some point. He does have a bit of time at home, and these rolls are now at the forefront of public attention.