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Innovative Engineer Creates a Stunning Animatronic Ratatouille Costume for Halloween
When it comes to selecting a Halloween costume, many individuals rummage through their closets or rush to local stores like Spirit Halloween, hoping to find something suitable before the shelves are bare.
In contrast, Christina Ernst dives into her workshop.
At just 27 years old and based in Chicago, Ernst—known on TikTok as @shebuildsrobots—works as a software engineer during the day. By night, she transforms into an inventive fashion designer, creating what she refers to as “wearable tech,” which merges artistic creativity with technological prowess.
A Whimsical Tribute to Ratatouille
“I’m drawn to whimsical designs that evoke a sense of magic rather than just technicality,” Ernst shares. This year, she decided to pay tribute to the beloved 2007 Disney/Pixar film Ratatouille, which tells the story of a rat with culinary aspirations who controls a clumsy human chef by pulling his hair and guiding his movements like a puppet. To bring her vision of Remy—the charming rat chef—to life, Ernst crafted an animatronic version using her 3D printer along with small motors and some clever programming techniques inspired by feedback from her followers.
The Joy of Creative Projects
“Creating fun wearable tech projects is my passion; with Halloween approaching, I saw this as an exciting opportunity,” she explains. “Everyone recognizes the charm of Ratatouille—even though it’s been over ten years since its release without any sequels—it has remained culturally relevant. Plus: A rat controlling a human chef? It seemed like such an entertaining project.”
Ernst documented each step of her project on both her website and TikTok channel where she boasts over 82,000 followers. While social media often advises against reading comments due to negativity, Ernst found hers overwhelmingly supportive. “This might be one of the most positive responses I’ve received for any video,” she notes. “The suggestions were constructive; one user even recommended coding my little robot rat so that it mimics my arm movements.” Despite encountering trolls who dismiss her work as merely being fronted by male counterparts behind-the-scenes, Ernst has learned how to ignore them effectively.
A Source of Inspiration for Future Engineers
“The most fulfilling comments come from those saying things like ‘I’m in high school and your work inspired me to pursue engineering.’ That kind of feedback makes everything worthwhile.” This sentiment takes Ernst back to where it all started: As a self-proclaimed math enthusiast who enjoyed sewing (“Sewing involves more math than people think—it’s all about algebra and geometry!”), she participated in Hackathons during college showcasing her first wearable tech creation—a Bluetooth-controlled dress that lights up and changes colors. The response was immediate and surprising; many young women approached her expressing their desire for technical knowledge specifically so they could create similar projects themselves—an eye-opening moment for Ernst.
Pioneering Technology Education Initiatives
With accessible tools such as3D printersand laser cutters—which Ernest affectionately calls her “power tools”—she discovered an ideal way not only to express herself creatively but also inspire more girls towards careers in STEM fields (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics). Currently serving as the Maker in Residence at Chicago Public Library’s Maker Lab program where she teaches coding classes while designing another wearable tech dress inspired by Chicago’s history set for display this holiday season at library windows! Additionally this November she’ll appear on CBS’s STEM-focused series,
The Final Touches Before October 31st!
The ambitious engineer still dreams up several grand projects—including creating elaborate costumes based on annual Met Gala themes—but first things first: She must finalize Remy before October 31st! Especially after receiving recognition from Patton Oswalt—the voice behind Remy himself—who shared his excitement about Ernest’s creation via social media!
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