Torture Device

2025

Front view

The front view with an access panel on the Torture Machine.

Top view

Pictured here is the hand crank on the top, as well as Armstrong tied to the machine.

The Torture Device was an Arduino-based project where a Stretch Armstrong was being held for a science experiment featuring some aggressive plants. Users could crank the machine to watch him get stretched using some motors with strings (vines), acting as pulleys. They could also use the built-in taser to give him a controlled shock if he started begging for help.

The machine operated using 2 DC motors, a rotary encoder, a button, some LED strips, and a vibration motor. Serial communication between Arduino and Processing was also used to add some gross sound effects when the stretching happened, and Armstrong also made high-pitched screaming sounds.

I loved making this project, as I needed an excuse to buy another toy, but also to use a ton of motors.

Note: The device is completely harmless to people... except Stretch Armstrong.

Disassembled Device

This was the Torture Device shortly before I boxed it up. The strings dragged in a smooth divot on the edges of the box near the board. The vibration motor sat next to the board and the LED strip was positioned at Armstrong's feet, to flash when the taser button was held.

Student Demo

A student was thoroughly satisfied with the mechanisms of the Torture Device.

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Torture Device