Servo

Futaba 9Z WC2
9-Channel Radio
transmitter

Futaba is the company that dominates the field of radio control. (NikolaiTesla gets the credit for inventing radio control). Hobbyists use Futaba products for model airplanes, helicopters, and sailplanes. Transferred to puppetry, it allows for puppet manipulation with the puppeteer at a distance from the puppet. The performer works the radio transmitter dials and toggles sending a radio signal to a servo receiver in the puppet that does the work of puppet movement. Servos must be attached for every individual function, i.e. eye blinks, mouth movement and facial expression. In most cases multiple servos are required for facial movement. One transmitter box may have multiple channels. An 8-channel transmitter will move 8 servos inside the puppet.