Robotic Eyes Using Arduino and OLED Display

Creating robotic eyes using an OLED display is a popular and visually impressive project in robotics. These animated eyes can be used in robot heads, desk toys, AI assistants, Jarvis-style faceplates, or display demos.

In this project, we will use Arduino and a 0.96-inch OLED display to create realistic robotic eyes with pupil movement and blinking animation.

---

Project Overview

Features of this project:

• Two human-like eyes
• Smooth random pupil movement
• Natural blinking animation
• Lightweight and beginner-friendly code
• Uses I2C OLED (minimum wiring)

---

Components Required

Component	Quantity
Arduino UNO / Nano	1
0.96″ OLED Display (SSD1306, I2C)	1
Jumper Wires	As required
Breadboard (optional)	1

---

OLED Display Specifications

• Resolution: 128 × 64 pixels
• Driver IC: SSD1306
• Interface: I2C
• Operating Voltage: 3.3V / 5V

---

Circuit Connections (Wiring)

The OLED uses the I2C protocol, so only four connections are required.

OLED to Arduino UNO / Nano

OLED Pin	Arduino Pin
VCC	5V
GND	GND
SDA	A4
SCL	A5

If your OLED supports only 3.3V, connect VCC to 3.3V instead of 5V.

---

Required Arduino Libraries

Install the following libraries from Arduino Library Manager:

1. Adafruit SSD1306
2. Adafruit GFX

Steps:

1. Open Arduino IDE
2. Go to Sketch → Include Library → Manage Libraries
3. Search and install both libraries

---

How the Eye Animation Works

Eye Design Logic

• White circle → eye sclera
• Black small circle → pupil
• Random pupil offsets simulate eye movement
• Rectangles simulate eyelids for blinking

OLED Coordinate System

• Origin (0,0) is at the top-left
• X increases → right
• Y increases → downward

---

Arduino Code (Robotic Eyes)

This is exactly the code you requested
Copy and upload it directly to your Arduino.

#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include <Adafruit_SSD1306.h>

#define SCREEN_WIDTH 128
#define SCREEN_HEIGHT 64

Adafruit_SSD1306 display(SCREEN_WIDTH, SCREEN_HEIGHT, &Wire, -1);

// Eye positions
int eyeY = 32;
int leftEyeX = 42;
int rightEyeX = 86;

// Sizes
int eyeRadius = 16;
int pupilRadius = 5;

// Pupil movement
int pupilX = 0;
int pupilY = 0;

void setup() {
  display.begin(SSD1306_SWITCHCAPVCC, 0x3C);
  display.clearDisplay();
  randomSeed(analogRead(0));
}

void loop() {
  moveEyes();
  blink();
}

// -------- FUNCTIONS --------

void drawEye(int eyeX, int pupilOffsetX, int pupilOffsetY) {
  // Eye white
  display.fillCircle(eyeX, eyeY, eyeRadius, SSD1306_WHITE);

  // Pupil (black)
  display.fillCircle(
    eyeX + pupilOffsetX,
    eyeY + pupilOffsetY,
    pupilRadius,
    SSD1306_BLACK
  );
}

void drawEyes() {
  display.clearDisplay();
  drawEye(leftEyeX, pupilX, pupilY);
  drawEye(rightEyeX, pupilX, pupilY);
  display.display();
}

void moveEyes() {
  for (int i = 0; i < 15; i++) {
    pupilX = random(-6, 6);
    pupilY = random(-4, 4);
    drawEyes();
    delay(random(200, 500));
  }
}

void blink() {
  for (int h = 0; h < eyeRadius * 2; h += 4) {
    display.clearDisplay();
    display.fillRect(leftEyeX - eyeRadius, eyeY - eyeRadius, eyeRadius * 2, h, SSD1306_BLACK);
    display.fillRect(rightEyeX - eyeRadius, eyeY - eyeRadius, eyeRadius * 2, h, SSD1306_BLACK);
    display.display();
    delay(20);
  }
  delay(80);
}

Output Behavior

✔ Eyes randomly look around
✔ Pupils stay inside eye boundary
✔ Natural blinking effect
✔ Smooth animation on OLED

---

Common Issues & Fixes

Problem	Solution
Blank OLED	Check I2C address (0x3C / 0x3D)
OLED not detected	Check SDA/SCL wiring
Flicker	Reduce refresh rate
No blink	Ensure loop() runs continuously

---

Applications

• Robot head / humanoid robot
• AI assistant face
• Desk toy / showpiece
• YouTube electronics demo
• Exhibition robotics project

---

Conclusion

This project demonstrates how a simple Arduino + OLED can create lifelike robotic eyes using basic graphics and logic. With small enhancements, it can be expanded into a full robotic face or AI assistant display.