OpenClaw AI Pet Tutorial

Before starting, please complete [01-Peripheral Hardware Configuration], [02-OpenClaw Jetson-KEY Configuration], [03-OpenClaw Model Switching], [04-AI Voice Interaction Configuration], and [05-Three Dialogue Solution Configuration Tests] in the Pre-use Preparation directory. If you are only using TUI / WhatsApp, you can skip 04 for now. This article assumes the basic environment is already prepared and only covers the AI Pet project itself.

1. Tutorial Objective

This article demonstrates OpenClaw's interactive capability as a desktop AI pet through a combination of "movement + lights + screen + dialogue". After completing this tutorial, readers can:

• Learn how to use servos, RGB, and OLED to create an AI pet with emotional expressions
• Interact with OpenClaw through three methods: WhatsApp, TUI, and voice code
• Complete four project scenarios: greeting, emotional expression, companion Q&A, sleep and wake-up

2. Hardware Preparation

• OpenClaw main control board
• Servo [at least 1 recommended]
• RGB light strip / RGB LED module
• OLED display
• [Optional] AI voice module + speaker
• Wiring diagram

3. Software Preparation

Code entry points used in this tutorial

• Servo control command: /home/jetson/hardware_hal_demo/cli/servo
• Voice entry: /home/jetson/voice_to_openclaw/src/main.py

This project does not have a fixed set of "pet scripts"; instead, it has OpenClaw orchestrate several basic peripheral actions:

• Servo is responsible for nodding, shaking head, and swinging
• RGB is responsible for expressing mood and status
• OLED is responsible for displaying name, expression, or short text
• Voice dialogue is responsible for making the pet more like an interactive character

4. Testing Basic Project Capabilities

Before starting this project, please complete an openclaw tui basic dialogue self-check first; if you haven't done so, see [05-Three Dialogue Solution Configuration Tests] first. After passing, proceed to AI Pet project-specific testing.

Enter OpenClaw TUI:

openclaw tui

Then test several basic capabilities:

• Make the servo nod
• Set the light to a pink pulsing effect
• Display "Hello" on the OLED

5. Three Solutions for Communicating with OpenClaw

If you have selected the AI voice module + speaker, Feishu dialogue, tui, and whatsapp dialogue need to broadcast OpenClaw's replies. You can run the following program in the terminal. The AI voice module dialogue does not need to be run repeatedly.

• Modify the broadcast toggle parameter

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/home/jetson/voice_to_openclaw/.env

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ENABLE_TTS=true  #This parameter controls whether to broadcast. After modification, save and run the following program in the terminal

• Enter in terminal

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cd ~/voice_to_openclaw
source .venv/bin/activate
python -m src.openclaw_session_tts

5.1 WhatsApp Solution

For WhatsApp integration and bot creation steps, please refer directly to [05-Three Dialogue Solution Configuration Tests]. After creation, you can remotely interact with the AI pet in WhatsApp, for example:

• Check if there is dog food currently, if so OLED displays a smiley expression, servo dances, OLED lights up ambient lights; if no dog food, OLED displays a sad expression.

5.2 TUI Solution

If you have completed the TUI self-check in the Prerequisites section, directly enter terminal text dialogue:

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openclaw tui

Then input project-related commands, for example:

• Check if there is dog food currently, if so OLED displays a smiley expression, servo dances, OLED lights up ambient lights; if no dog food, all servos perform a head-shaking motion simultaneously.

5.3 Voice Code Solution

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Requires optional AI voice interaction module + speaker

For voice module installation, environment configuration, and basic wake-up process, please refer directly to [04-AI Voice Interaction Configuration]. After wake-up, you can directly speak control commands, for example:

• Take a photo to check if there is dog food, if so OLED displays a smiley expression, if no dog food OLED displays a sad expression.

6. Project Implementation

Note: The following demonstrations are all conducted using the openclaw tui method. You can also choose WhatsApp or voice methods to complete them.

6.1 Scenario 1: Greeting

Experiment Objective

Have the AI pet respond with movement and text when the user sends a greeting.

Effect Description

The servo can perform a simple nodding or head-shaking movement, the OLED displays welcome text, and the RGB lights up with a soft color, making the pet's entrance quite eye-catching.

Example Commands

• Have the little pet say hello to me
• Have the pet welcome me

6.2 Scenario 2: Emotional Expression

Experiment Objective

Have the AI pet express states like happy, quiet, angry, and sleepy using lights and screen.

Effect Description

This scenario is best suited for demonstrating "character feel". For example, warm-colored pulsing lights when happy, dim blue light when sleepy, and only brief status display when quiet.

Example Commands

• Put the pet in a happy state
• Draw a simple expression on the OLED

6.3 Scenario 3: Companion Q&A

Experiment Objective

Have the AI pet respond to questions like a desktop companion character in addition to moving.

Effect Description

OpenClaw can first complete the dialogue, then combine servo nodding, head shaking, and screen text to synchronize "speaking" and "movement", making it look more like a character with personality.

Example Commands

• First answer my question, then nod
• If you agree, express it with movement
• Chat with me about today's mood

6.4 Scenario 4: Sleep and Wake-Up

Experiment Objective

Give the AI pet the ability to switch between standby, sleep, and wake-up states.

Effect Description

In sleep mode, most lights can be turned off, keeping only a low-brightness state; upon wake-up, lights, screen, and movement feedback are restored, making the project more complete.

Example Commands

• Put the pet in sleep mode
• Wake up the pet