I 3D printed a Squirtle that Sprays Water!

Introduction

Have you ever wished Pokémon were real? Well, I just took one step closer to making that happen! I built a motion-activated Squirtle that actually sprays water. Using Raspberry Pi, a camera, and a water pump, I turned a simple Squirtle figure into an interactive, DIY water blaster.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how I built it, the challenges I faced, and how you can make one yourself!

Link to full video

How It Works:

This project uses various tools and technology to make it function so that the Pokemon can detect you. I used a USB camera that continuously scans for movement using OpenCV, a Python library for camera detection. For the entire circuit and ultimately project to work, I used a Raspberry Pi, which would control the camera and solenoid. A Raspberry Pi is a single-board computer used for education and creating IoT devices. Now, for the water to shoot out, I needed to use some tubing and a solenoid valve; the valve would open and close when the camera would detect movement, and for the water to be pushed out, I used a water pump connected to one of the ends of the tubing. The 3D model is from Thingiverse.com by Patrickart. All I did was tape the end of the tube that had the water coming out to the bottom of the Squritle

The result: A Squirtle that shoots water whenever someone walks by!

What You’ll Need (Materials List)

If you want to build your own motion-activated Squirtle water blaster, here’s what you’ll need:

Electronics & Components:

• Raspberry Pi (4 or 5 with USB support)

  • Controls the system.

• OV5693 5MP Camera

  • Detects movement.

• 12V Water Pump

  • Powers the water flow.

• 12V Solenoid Valve

  • Control the water release.

• Relay Module (5V, single-channel)

  • Switches the pump on/off.

• 12V Power Adapter

  • Powers the pump and solenoid.

• PVC Tubing (8mm)

  • Connects the pump to Squirtle’s mouth.

  • Also bought more larger tubing from Ace Hardware

• Clamps 6-12mm

  • For tubing

Software:

• Python with OpenCV

  • For motion detection.

• •RPi.GPIO

  • For controlling the relay.

• V4L2 (Linux Video for Cameras)

  • To interface with the USB camera.

Code:

DM me for the password: My Code

Tools:

• 3D Printer (Optional)

  • If you want to modify Squirtle’s structure.

• Tubing Connectors

  • To fit water tubing into the figure.

• Screwdrivers

  • Wiring Relay

Challenges & What I Learned

Every DIY project has unexpected challenges—here’s what I ran into:

• Camera Issues: My USB camera wasn’t recognized at first, so I had to test multiple /dev/videoX indexes.

• Water Leaks: My tubing wasn’t secure at first, leading to leaks—I had to reinforce it with hose clamps.

• Power Handling: The water pump draws a lot of current, so I needed a 12V 10A power adapter instead of a weaker one.

• Tubing Issues: The water pump’s insert nozzel wasn’t the same size as my tube, so I ended up buying larger tubing

• This project took 3 months to make, and finding time to build and purchase the parts

Watch the full Video !!

Check out my full YouTube build video, where I show every step of the process and Squirtle spraying water in real time!

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What’s Next?

This is just the beginning! Here’s what I might add next:

• Voice activation water spraying

• Water pressure control for different “attacks”

• Upgrading to a stronger pump for more range

• Use new insulation with different tubing

Would you like to see these upgrades? Let me know in the comments!