maneki-neko | 招き猫 | beckoning cat

What is it?

Maneki Neko Badge is a spin off of the Lucky Cat figurine design that can be seen in store fronts, cafes, restaurants, homes, and all around popular culture. The feline is often regarded as a symbol of good luck and we hope our Maneki Neko will bring you good fur-tune and paw-some times ahead!

Nobody knows the exact origin of the first maneki-neko, though they first started to appear in Japan in the 1800s. Our Maneki Neko was born in Southern California and launched at DEF CON 26 in August 2018.

Why did you make it?

We wanted to build a unique electronic badge that is not only a functional printed circuit board (PCB) but also a living piece of art. Our goal was to bring smiles and joy to the community with a creation that is both hackable and fun to display. We also wanted to be able to share our designs and process with the community, so from the moment that we started our project, all of the hardware and firmware has been open source and available to the public.

What makes it special?

For starters, it's a cat. Who doesn't love cats?

We also wanted to combine different elements on the badge, so in addition to the four-layer PCB, we included 16-segment LEDs as blinky cat eyes, and a 3-d printed paw that attaches to a moving servo and waves!

What else should I know about the badge?

• Detachable and replaceable 3-D Printed Paw
• SAO header with 3.3 V power output for badge add-ons
• STM32 chip
• Uses three AA batteries (not included)

What can I do with the badge?

• Impress your friends!
• Intrigue your cat!
• Decorate your wall!
• Adorn your desk!

But wait, there's more....!

Since the badge is completely open source, from the board design to the firmware to the paw - you can customize, personalize, and enhance Maneki Neko as you wish. To learn more and to get started, see https://github.com/seanleftBelow/defcon26-meow The paw-sibilities are endless!