Petduino was a real, buildable virtual-pet kit—not just a concept—created by Matt Brailsford, who goes by Circuitbeard. It paired Tamagotchi-style pet interaction with an Arduino-compatible controller, an 8×8 LED matrix, and sensors that let makers change how the pet behaved. The original Make: feature is from 2015; it is an overview, not a complete build guide, and current availability of the original kit is unverified.
What was Petduino?
Petduino was a physical DIY electronics kit, a programmable virtual pet, and a small platform for experimenting with LEDs and sensors. Its goal was to give beginners a concrete project to build and personalize rather than a general-purpose Arduino board without an obvious purpose. The pet supplied the motivation; soldering and programming supplied the learning.
Make: covered the project in October 2015, identifying Brailsford as its creator. The comparison with a Tamagotchi is about the virtual-pet idea, not a claim that Petduino was an official or licensed Tamagotchi product. Petduino put more emphasis on assembly and modification than on a fixed, ready-made toy. Make:’s original feature describes its components and capabilities.
How the original device worked
At a high level, an Arduino-compatible processor ran the pet’s behavior. An 8×8 LED matrix showed its expressions or other graphics, while light and temperature sensors provided environmental input. The code determined what the pet displayed and how it reacted; a laser-cut enclosure gave the electronics a character-like form. A creator interview describes the original device as USB-powered. The exact microcontroller is not identified in the available coverage.
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- Crystal Clear: Crafted for Tamagotchi Paradise electronic pet, this clear case showcases your device's design and screen while protecting it.
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- Designed for connection: The top flips open for instant access, enabling effortless sharing with friends or playful moments with your pet.
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The division of labor is simple to understand: sensors provide input, the program makes decisions, and the matrix provides output. That makes Petduino useful as an educational example even if you are more interested in embedded programming than virtual pets.
What “hackable” meant
For Petduino, hacking primarily meant changing the software and experimenting with the physical presentation—not that every part was open hardware. The 2015 coverage said the code was freely available, but reported that the board itself was not open source at the time. Freely available code is not automatically code with an open-source license, and neither fact establishes the present status of a download or repository.
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- Change the face: write routines to display custom shapes or simple animations on the 8×8 matrix.
- Change its reactions: program behavior in response to light or temperature readings.
- Change its personality: rewrite routines so it behaves differently over time or under different conditions.
- Change its look: make custom accessories or an enclosure if you have suitable fabrication tools, such as access to a laser cutter.
- Extend the system: the creator discussed adding network-connected functions using a Raspberry Pi. That was an extension, not a standard built-in Petduino feature.
Sound, servos, wireless networking, or online games are likewise possible directions for a redesigned project, not features to assume were included in the original kit.
What it takes to build or modify one
Historically, Petduino was sold as a kit and was intended to teach basic soldering and Arduino-style programming. The creator described the components as relatively simple, while also noting that turning a project into a product involves work beyond wiring: custom circuit-board design, sourcing parts, packaging, and clear instructions.
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- Versatile Holiday and Occasion Gift Set: This digital pet keychain set is an ideal gift for Easter basket stuffers, spring party favors, birthday party favors, and classroom student rewards. It fits every seasonal celebration and casual gifting scenario, with endless adaptability for future holidays and events
- Sturdy material: the digital pet toy is made of plastic material with tinted translucent housing shell, safe and reliable; There are kinds of pets, long-lasting battery, and a large speaker for clear and realistic sounds
- Portable size: each portable game console with hanging chain is approx. 2.36 x 2.17 x 0.79 inch, appropriate for hand holding and convenient for carrying and storing; The buckle is lightweight and easy to carry, and the hanging keychain can be easily fixed on the key, schoolbag or pocket
- Easy to use: the electronic digital pet game keyring is easy to operate, and there are only 5 buttons, namely status, select, reset, decide and cancel; You can set the time, modify the name and select the pet; Please refer to the paper specification for specific keystroke operation
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A supplied enclosure means you would not necessarily need a laser cutter to assemble the original kit. It becomes useful if you want to make your own body or accessories. For a modern reconstruction, expect to need a computer and USB connection, basic electronics skills, and time for testing and troubleshooting.
The original feature does not provide a complete verified bill of materials, circuit diagram, pinout, library name, firmware file, or upload procedure. Do not treat it as a step-by-step guide. Even the phrase “Arduino-compatible” is not enough to identify the board, voltage, bootloader, memory, or pin assignments needed to reproduce the circuit.
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- BUILD, CODE, PLAY & LEARN: Construct a robotic reptile pal that responds to your gestures, changes colors, and automatically fires and retracts its tongue!
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- THREE UNIQUE PLAY MODES: In Coding Mode, use the action cards to program your pet to carry out a series of movements; in Wild Mode, your chameleon will camouflage and change its color to match its surroundings; in Pet Mode, this one-of-a-kind robotic reptile reacts to your touch!
- AUTHENTIC LEARNING WITH COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE: The 48-page manual guides kids through assembly (ages 8+ with help from an adult; 12+ for independent play), encourages exploration of robotic components, and teaches about how nature can inspire, improve, and solve engineering design problems.
Can you still buy Petduino?
The evidence confirms that Petduino kits were sold in 2015; a December 2015 creator interview said kits were available to ship. It does not establish that the original kit, replacement boards, official code, documentation, or creator-run store are available now. Treat Petduino as a historical project unless a current seller can verify that its kit is genuinely original and complete. An old article, cached shop page, or marketplace listing is not proof of current stock or support.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Recreate it, or choose a current alternative?
| Option | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Hunt for original Petduino hardware | Collectors and makers interested in the actual 2015 project | Availability, completeness, documentation, and software access are uncertain. |
| Build a generic Arduino-style version | Makers who want control over hardware and firmware | You must choose compatible parts, design or adapt the enclosure, and debug the system. |
| Buy a supported virtual-pet kit | Beginners, classrooms, and gift buyers seeking a guided build | A current kit is a substitute, not the original Petduino design. |
A modern recreation would need a suitable microcontroller, an 8×8 matrix and compatible driver or wiring, light and temperature sensors, any desired input controls, USB power, an enclosure, and firmware for pet states, timing, graphics, and interactions. A sensible high-level sequence is to identify the parts and their electrical requirements, test the display and sensors separately, implement the behavior, and add the enclosure after the electronics work. Start with USB power; battery operation requires its own power and protection design. This is a planning outline, not a verified Petduino wiring recipe.
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- Colorful: This PC case is designed specifically for the Tamagotchi Paradise digital pet, showcasing the device's design and screen while providing protection.
- Product List: PC case ×1 screen protector ×2 lanyard ×1 Snaps on and off in seconds for easy protection, ensuring your device stays both safe and stylish.
- Designed for connection: The top flips open for instant access, enabling effortless sharing with friends or playful moments with your pet.
- Secure snap-on design: This snap-on protective case provides smooth,hard protection for your Paradise collection, designed for collectors and DIY enthusiasts.
- Inspired by art: This fun protective case combines entertainment and protection while providing reliable safeguards.It blends charm and practicality.
Several packaged alternatives now address the broader DIY virtual-pet interest:
- CircuitMess Codee is a guided build-and-code virtual pet with games and opportunities to create new games. Its feature set and pricing can change; consult the official product page for current stock and price. It is a closer fit for someone seeking a supported kit than someone trying to reproduce Petduino’s matrix-and-sensor architecture.
- Arduino CircuitPet is a separate Arduino product. Its listed components include a display board, buttons, RGB LED, piezo buzzer, Li-Po battery, acrylic casing, and six preloaded mini-games. Check the official page for current availability and price.
Important compatibility traps in a recreation
- Controller mismatch: an Arduino-compatible replacement may use different pins, voltage, bootloader, or upload settings from the original board.
- Matrix mismatch: two 8×8 displays may differ in row and column order, driver, or common-anode/common-cathode arrangement. Matching the size alone does not guarantee compatibility.
- Sensor mismatch: replacement light or temperature sensors may use a different interface or output range, so code thresholds may need to be recalibrated.
- Power assumptions: USB-powered does not mean the original included a battery or charging circuit. Do not attach a battery without designing and checking the power system.
- Old software: surviving code, if found, may rely on old libraries, board definitions, or tool versions. Current Arduino IDE compatibility has not been established.
- Licensing: programmable hardware is not necessarily open hardware. Check the actual licenses before redistributing code or reproducing a design.
Why Petduino still matters
Petduino’s strongest idea is educational: a small, appealing project gives a newcomer a reason to learn how sensors, displays, and code fit together. It also demonstrates the boundary between a hackable product and an open-hardware project. The 2015 coverage establishes a real kit and a compelling design, but not a complete modern recipe or a guarantee that the original can still be bought. If the goal is to own that exact device, verify the kit and its contents before purchasing; if the goal is to learn or give a supported build, consider a current kit or design a documented recreation from compatible parts.
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