# Make hand movements control a puppet theater

Camera-tracked hands control a puppet while voice changes its stage and props.

## Hardware
Webcam and microphone; browser computer

A webcam tracks the user's hand to move a puppet, while a microphone supplies speech for an AI-controlled character on a browser-rendered stage.

## Shopping list

This is a browser-based webcam project, not a dedicated electronics kit. Camera/mic permission and an Anthropic API key are required; optional ElevenLabs speech incurs separate service costs.

Quantities are for one build. Unless marked source-specified, they are planning quantities; confirm kit contents and the chosen configuration before ordering.

### Confirm before buying
- No tested camera or computer SKU is published.

### 1 × Webcam
- Requirement: Required
- Quantity basis: Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration
- Purpose: Track performer movement.
- Notes: No particular model is required or verified.
- Sourcing: No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.
- Evidence: Creator source
- Source: https://claude.com/resources/articles/meet-the-winners-of-built-with-opus-4-7-claude-code-hackathon
- Source: https://github.com/rhmoller/virtual-puppet-theater

### 1 × Microphone
- Requirement: Required
- Quantity basis: Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration
- Purpose: Voice input.
- Notes: Can be built into the computer or webcam; no need to buy duplicates.
- Sourcing: No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.
- Evidence: Creator source
- Source: https://claude.com/resources/articles/meet-the-winners-of-built-with-opus-4-7-claude-code-hackathon
- Source: https://github.com/rhmoller/virtual-puppet-theater

### 1 × Modern GPU-capable computer
- Requirement: Required
- Quantity basis: Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration
- Purpose: Run Chrome or Edge and the web application.
- Notes: Source describes 60 fps GPU work; exact minimum hardware is not specified.
- Sourcing: No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.
- Evidence: Creator source
- Source: https://claude.com/resources/articles/meet-the-winners-of-built-with-opus-4-7-claude-code-hackathon
- Source: https://github.com/rhmoller/virtual-puppet-theater

### 1 × Headphones or speakers
- Requirement: Conditional
- Quantity basis: Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration
- Purpose: Hear generated speech.
- Notes: Only for audio playback; built-in computer audio may suffice.
- Sourcing: Use existing equipment or match the specification above. No exact purchase link verified.
- Evidence: Setup requirement — check against your configuration
- Source: https://claude.com/resources/articles/meet-the-winners-of-built-with-opus-4-7-claude-code-hackathon
- Source: https://github.com/rhmoller/virtual-puppet-theater

Source reviewed, not assembled or hands-on tested. A working product page does not confirm stock, firmware compatibility or a complete build.

## Setup
Computer companion

## Coding tool
Claude Code / Claude Opus 4.7

## How the agent helped
Anthropic's winner interview credits Rene Hangstrup Møller with using Claude across concept discussion, planning and code writing. The creator's repository documents MediaPipe hand tracking, Three.js rendering and the required camera and microphone.

## Before you build
Requires a webcam, microphone and a capable computer running a supported desktop browser. The repository recommends Chrome or Edge, HTTPS or localhost, and a required Anthropic API key; ElevenLabs speech is optional. Model services can incur charges. Grant camera and microphone access deliberately. The image is a frame from the creator's software demo, not a photograph of a special-purpose hardware product. No specific webcam model is required or verified.

## Sources
- Original build: https://claude.com/resources/articles/meet-the-winners-of-built-with-opus-4-7-claude-code-hackathon
- Supporting source: https://github.com/rhmoller/virtual-puppet-theater

Source reviewed 2026-11-04. Not hands-on tested.