Using Bottango with a Gamepad

Learn how to control your animations and servos in real time using a USB gamepad or joystick.

Want to control your servos live — like a puppet? Bottango supports USB gamepads and joysticks, letting you trigger animations or control servo positions in real time. Great for live performances, interactive demos, or fun robot battles!

🎮 Compatible Devices

Bottango supports most USB gamepads and joysticks, including:

• Xbox controllers
• PlayStation controllers
• Generic USB gamepads
• Flight sticks and arcade sticks

🔌 Plug in your controller before launching Bottango to ensure it’s recognized.

🛠️ Step 1: Enable Gamepad Input

1. Open Bottango
2. Go to Devices > Gamepad Settings
3. You should see your controller listed
4. Test buttons and joysticks to confirm they register

🎚️ Step 2: Assign Gamepad Controls

You can assign gamepad inputs to either:

• Trigger animations (e.g., press button A to wave)
• Directly control servo positions (e.g., move a joystick to control a jaw)

To trigger an animation:

1. Go to the Triggers panel
2. Click Add Trigger
3. Choose Gamepad Button
4. Select the button (e.g., Button A)
5. Set the action to Play Animation and choose your animation

To control a servo directly:

1. Select your servo in the timeline
2. In the Servo Settings, choose Gamepad Axis under input method
3. Select the joystick axis (e.g., Left Stick Y)
4. Set the range (min/max) to match your servo’s limits

🧪 Test It Out

• Press your assigned gamepad button — the servo should move or play an animation
• Move a joystick — the servo should follow your movement in real time

🎯 You can control multiple servos simultaneously with different axes!

🧠 Creative Uses

• Real-time puppet shows (control eyes, mouth, head)
• Remote-controlled robots with expressive motion
• Assistive tools (e.g., gamepad-controlled grippers)
• Multiplayer animatronic props or characters

⚠️ Tips for Smooth Gamepad Control

• Use easing curves or filtering for smoother servo movement
• Avoid using the same axis for multiple servos unless needed
• Keep servo limits in mind to avoid jitter or strain

With a gamepad in hand, your project becomes a live, expressive performer.

Next up: Course Summary and Next Steps

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