The original prototype of the project was built during Geekcon 2017. We used a pair of geared DC motors for driving the timing belts that carry the cactuses, but only the belt going forward was functional - the player had to manually return each cactus to the starting point. 

Today, we revamped the prototype with Stepper motors - they make less noise and have better performance. Next, we will try to figure out how to move the cactuses between the belts, so they will loop around. Stay tuned!

Below - presenting the project to my peers at the BlackBerry office: