In thinking over comic con puppets, I realized that one of the biggest hurdles of a walking puppet is that I need to be hidden.  I have revised my Tardis idea and have put it on the back burner, as it will now require a nearly full size Tardis with half of one door open, which is where the puppet will operate.  Since I don't have a car that can carry that at the moment, I settled on a cheap old fashioned robot.  I will be dressed in a silver robot made out of buckets, trash cans, and other items from around the house.  This robot will have a cockpit on the front, from which a live hand puppet will operate, similar to Bruno and Oscar.  The stuffed arm will be attached to a joystick, while the live hand will operate a joystick, push buttons, and wave to people.  The robot head will be screened, where I can speak as the puppet freely and without a muffled voice while hiding my face.  For the most part, I think I have this figured out.  I suppose my biggest concern will be the cockpit area and attaching it to plastic.  I suppose cockpit is a bad word, as it will not be enclosed with plastic or glass but be an open air control point.  Have to ask, has anyone tried anything similar? 

Did you see the latest episode of Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge? They built a similar puppet on that this week, although it was controlled via external rods rather than being a walk-around costume.

I have to ditto Andrews comment.  Check out the last two episodes of Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge.  The last one gives you ideas for robots and the one before that was where they made their own versions of the Dark Crystal Skeksis which would give you an idea of how to use a back back for a costume character.

Are you talking about SDCC? If so, on a different note, if you can, leave a space on the top of your head open. I am assuming you have been before, but with the heat and the press of people, you can get heat stroke in an enclosed costume/helmeted costume really easily there. Also, make sure to stay hydrated!

Also, don't forget to think about visibility from the sides. Navigating the show floor or the hallways is hard enough when you don't have a limited view!

No, I wish I could go to SDCC.  The ones I attend are in Dallas, which just got much bigger.  That said, ventilation is on my mind knowing Texas weather.  The head will be using a lot of grates and vents.  Now, my arms will be sweating under faux fur.....

It starts:



Decided to go more boxy, to give myself some room inside.  In looking at photo ops, thinking of doing one with Levar Burton reading to my puppet.  hmmm...maybe The Foam Book?  Also thinking of putting some bumper stickers on this thing's rear end since it is the puppet's vehicle.  Shawn, by chance, do you have any P&S stickers?

Testing out decorations:



Working on the puppet's cockpit:



Duct tape and hot glue, got love 'em :D

Shawn, by chance, do you have any P&S stickers?

Nope no bumper stickers.   You are welcome to mock something up if want. I can get you the "logo" in a larger file format if want.

Looks like you have a pretty good start there. I only have one comment. You should have added your backpack/rigging before you started to decorate it.   I assume the hole in the top is for your head and that this should rest on your shoulders. If you attached straps front to back about where you joined the tubs on each side like suspenders that would be an easy way to support the weight. It might also give you some extra movement in things as you walk.

Rigging...I knew I was forgetting something!  You are right, the top hole is for my head which will be covered with a bucket this week.  As it stands, it sits on my shoulders fine and isn't too heavy.  But, will attach the cockpit and test it with a puppet tommorrow. 

As for the logo, if you don't mind sending that larger file that would be great! 

After attaching the cockpit, I realized that this will look very pieced together and the duct tape will be very visible.  So thinking of incorporating that into the costume.   Going to put a few signs on the thing:

Patches
Build-A-Ride
Duct Tape, Hot Glue, and a Miracle
555-123-4567
Patches Build-A-Ride not liable for the disintegration of your vehicle.

Too cheesy?