Jim The Skeleton (2024)

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Riku Kear

OVERVIEW

Designed and built “Jim,” a fully mechanical animatronic skeleton serving as the centerpiece of the club’s first escape room attraction. Integrated motorized head rotation, jaw movement, and glowing eyes. Personally pitched, funded, and led the project from concept to fabrication, combining creativity with precision mechanical engineering.

HighlightS

Pitched and led the club’s first animatronic escape room centerpiece from concept to completion.



Personally funded and managed the project, demonstrating initiative and project ownership.



Designed and built mechanical systems enabling realistic head rotation, jaw movement, and glowing red eyes, with an in-progress arm-raising feature.



Integrated motors and control systems to achieve reliable, synchronized motion.



Collaborated with club members on installation, testing, and narrative integration within the escape room environment.



Applied mechanical design and fabrication skills (including CAD modeling, assembly, and wiring).



Established the foundation for future animatronic projects in the club, setting mechanical and design standards.

SKILLS

Mechanical design3D modeling in SolidWorksDesigning moving components for head, jaw, and armsMotor integration and installationElectrical wiring and power management3D printing and machiningHands-on fabrication and assemblyPrototyping and motion testingStory-driven engineering for themed experiencesAesthetic design with lighting and motion effectsCreative problem solvingLeadership as Lead EngineerProject management including budgeting and schedulingCollaboration with team members in the Themed Entertainment Association ClubEffective communication through pitching and progress presentations
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Riku Kear

Experienced Professional

I’m a Mechanical Engineering student at Cal Poly Pomona with a passion for themed entertainment and animatronic design. I love bringing ideas to life through hands-on fabrication, mechanical systems, and creative problem-solving. My projects range from building interactive characters like Jim the Animatronic Skeleton to designing miniature ride systems and custom metal or wood displays. I enjoy combining storytelling and engineering to create experiences that move, engage, and inspire. As I continue developing my technical and creative skills, my goal is to design and build mechanical systems that blend imagination with precision engineering.

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