Racing to Enhance Jumping Bean Performance in 2025: Developing a Superior Prototype
In a nod to childhood nostalgia and insect-inspired motion, a maker known as [ExpensivePlasticCrap] is on a mission to create a more sophisticated version of the classic jumping bean toy. The new design, inspired by the 2025 One Hertz Challenge project, aims to produce a jumping bean that truly jumps, not just hops.
The key to this modern twist lies in the timed switching of a compact vibrating motor and the use of an ATtiny microcontroller. The motor, selected for its ability to fit inside a small plastic capsule, generates enough motion to move the toy without tangling or mechanical failure. The ATtiny microcontroller, on the other hand, controls the motor's operation, switching it on and off at regular intervals to create periodic bursts of vibration that simulate jumping or hopping motions.
To power the components, a battery and charging board have been included within the toy's enclosure. A MOSFET transistor has also been utilised to switch the motor's power on and off as commanded by the ATtiny MCU, due to the motor's current requirements likely being higher than the MCU's pin can provide directly.
The original jumping bean's movement is caused by moth larvae inside, but the new design will not use such living organisms. Instead, it will be a self-contained, compact device, with all components bundled together to minimise weight and size, thereby enhancing the jumping effect.
To further improve the jumping performance, experimentation is encouraged. Reducing the toy’s overall weight, using a vibration motor with stronger amplitude, and optimising the shape and base of the capsule to better translate vibration into hopping motion are all potential avenues for exploration.
This modern approach leverages basic electronics controlled by a microcontroller for precise and tunable motion, avoiding the limitations of purely mechanical solutions like solenoids or ball-bearing capsules. The result is a jumping bean that is a testament to the power of technology and a nod to the nostalgia of a simpler time.
[1] For those interested in building their own jumping bean, more detailed information on the specific components, custom code, and mechanical design can be found on Hackaday's documentation of the 2025 One Hertz Challenge project.
Technology and gadgets are essential components in the creation of the modern jumping bean toy by [ExpensivePlasticCrap]. Powered by a compact vibrating motor and an ATtiny microcontroller, this sophisticated version of the classic jumping bean toy uses technology to produce a true jumping motion, rather than just hops.
