Dreaming Robots Newsletter – October 2026

Rhinebeck (NY Sheep and Wool Festival)

I’m going to be at the New York State Sheep & Wool Festival October 17-18 in Building 31 booth 24. Hope to see a lot of you there!

EEW Maker Kit Update

Photo by Craftmehappy

I am getting everything lined up to launch the Kickstarter for the EEW Maker Kit! My target is early November, though I will send out an email the moment the campaign officially goes live so you don’t miss it.

For those new to the project, the EEW Maker Kit is an open-source eSpinner where I provide the core hardware (custom motor, circuit board, steel spindle, bearings, and ceramic guides), and you provide the 3D-printed chassis (either by printing the parts yourself or ordering them).

Here is a quick look at what I’ve been working on behind the scenes to get everything ready:

Extensive Beta Testing: I’ve been running the largest beta-testing group I have ever had on Discord. The testers have assembled and put many hours on their wheels, helping me verify a straightforward build.
Electronics & Firmware Polishing: In addition to fine-tuning the motor controller, soft start/stop ramps, and tangle detection, I added an anti-spark MOSFET to the board to eliminate the capacitor inrush spark when plugging in power.
The Authorized Printer Network: If you don’t own a 3D printer, you won’t be left out. I have selected five small printing businesses across the US, UK, EU, and Australia/New Zealand. I sent them early hardware kits so they could test-fit their prints in advance, ensuring you can order a ready-to-assemble chassis in the colors you want.
Open-Source Files & Documentation: The standard support-free STL print files, editable Autodesk Fusion CAD models, assembly guide, and technical manuals are all prepared and ready for community feedback during the campaign.
Kickstarter Video & Samples: I’ve started work on the campaign video and have been collecting test builds in various color schemes from community makers to showcase what is possible.
Iterating on the 3D Files: As I work through all of the above, I keep printing new versions and finding small ergonomic and mechanical refinements. It’s already a great eSpinner, but this iterative process ensures it’s as dialed-in as possible before kits head to backers.

Normally when I design a tool, my goal is to deliver a finished product. With the EEW Maker Kit, I’m providing an open foundation, and I am far more excited to see what custom mods, accessories, and colors you create with it.

Keep an eye on your inbox next month for the launch announcement!

The Quest for a Quieter E-Spinner

One of my long-term projects is to continually reduce the noise of the EEW e-spinners. To tackle this, I’ve recently built a sound testing rig. While I used to rely mostly on a decibel meter, I’m now using a fixed-gain microphone to record and compare the actual acoustic profiles of different setups. This gives me a much more accurate sense of how the noise is actually perceived by the human ear.

This project has also been a perfect demonstration of the EEW Maker Kit’s flexibility. Because it’s 3D printed, I was able to design and swap in a custom mount and pulley for a new test motor in just a few minutes. Check out the video below to see the testing rig in action and hear a direct sound comparison between an off-the-shelf drone motor and the motor we use for the EEW Fold!