Lamptopus: The cutest desk lamp in the world

Lamptopus: The cutest desk lamp in the world
Arduino Team — March 11, 2023

Sometimes the only motivation you need for a project is "because I want to". This is especially true for cute and quirky decor that doesn't need to prioritize functionality. The perfect example of this is Ruby Zoom's Lamptopus, which is the most adorable desk lamp in the world.

Lamptopus is a small lamp designed to sit on a desk and be as cute as possible. Its 3D-printed body was modeled after an octopus, with light shining through its smiling, bulbous head (complete with top hat) and long, poseable tentacles dangling from it. These tentacles really stand out because Lamptopus has a trick up its sleeve: it spins. As it spins back and forth, the tentacles swing back and forth. It's simply delicious.

If you have access to a 3D printer, this is a fun project that should be fairly easy to complete. The light comes from two Adafruit NeoPixel rings and two servo motors provide the rotation. An Arduino Uno board controls them, with the sketch starting to rotate at set intervals. All 3D files and the sketch are on GitHub if you want to create your own Lamptopus, and Ruby Zoom's video provides step-by-step instructions.

Technology Mar 14, 2023 0 58 Add to Reading List

Arduino Team — March 11, 2023

Sometimes the only motivation you need for a project is "because I want to". This is especially true for cute and quirky decor that doesn't need to prioritize functionality. The perfect example of this is Ruby Zoom's Lamptopus, which is the most adorable desk lamp in the world.

Lamptopus is a small lamp designed to sit on a desk and be as cute as possible. Its 3D-printed body was modeled after an octopus, with light shining through its smiling, bulbous head (complete with top hat) and long, poseable tentacles dangling from it. These tentacles really stand out because Lamptopus has a trick up its sleeve: it spins. As it spins back and forth, the tentacles swing back and forth. It's simply delicious.

If you have access to a 3D printer, this is a fun project that should be fairly easy to complete. The light comes from two Adafruit NeoPixel rings and two servo motors provide the rotation. An Arduino Uno board controls them, with the sketch starting to rotate at set intervals. All 3D files and the sketch are on GitHub if you want to create your own Lamptopus, and Ruby Zoom's video provides step-by-step instructions.