Robots You Can Build
Who doesn’t love a robot? And there is no bigger thrill than being able to make your own robotic device. There are many different types of robotic devices that can be done as a DIY project. A lot of these types of DIY projects require that you are familiar with some basic programming in order to get the robot to perform the desired tasks. But for the most part most robots have very similar parts and electrical components. Here are a few of the favorite DIY robotic projects.
Snap Circuit Programmable Robot
Snap Circuits are basically an educational toy that is designed to build robotic devices without having to do a lot of soldering. For this project, the do-it-yourselfer will need to know the basics of working with the PICAXE program. With some specific Snap Circuits parts and a few electrical components you can put together a working robot. The PICAXE programmer uses BASIC code and is what will make your robot work. Once the programming is completed, the robot has to be built. The basic parts are a brain, a power source and a mode of locomotion. The power source is a battery compartment which can hold six AA batteries. Some choose to use the Snap Circuits Rover which is already put together. But this limits later changes particularly if you want to add a robotic grabber arm a little later on.
Snap Circuit Light Activated Robot
This DIY project is a great one for someone just getting started in robotics and it provides a great place to start in basic programming. The end result of this project is a robot that responds to light. Using some basic Snap Circuits parts you can design and build a robot bogy and then program it to perform the desired actions. You will also need a plastic base grid, a rover, 9V battery block, a motor control (IC U8), an 8 pin socket, resistors, conductors and a photo resistor. For this project, you’ll have to construct an H-bridge which contains the motor and then connect it to the power supply. The H-bridge is no more than a simple circuit design. They are designed to be an integrated circuit so that they do not require manual controls. The robot is programmed to respond to certain light levels. Programming will work by alternating the different switches when it senses light and as the left and right motors switch off and on it appears to be “dancing.”
Basic Robot for Beginners
The term “robot” does not have to be synonymous with complex and complicated. There are several very simple designs that are available to help the beginner become familiar with robotics. To build a simple robot that can move about requires understanding a few basic principles. This simple robot helps you reach those goals. A robot can be constructed using a couple of 1.5 volt motors, on/off switch, SPDT switches, some electrical wire and a power supply. There are minimal tools needed for this project and they include a soldering iron and solder, hot glue gun and glue sticks, wire cutters, pliers and a multimeter. Wires are soldered to the battery holder, and then the antenna is glued in place on the battery holder. Two motors are installed on either side of the battery holder and then wheels are added. Once the motors are hooked up the switches can be completed. The motors are connected to each other as well as the on/off switch. Once the robot is completed and switched on it will begin to move. Once it hits an obstacle the SPDT switch on that side is activated which causes the robot to reverse its action on that side so that it avoids the obstacle.
LDR Robot
The LDR robot is also designed to avoid obstacles and it is a light seeking robot. The Light Dependent Resistor will seek for light and its infrared sensor will detect any obstacles in its path so that they can be avoided. This is a more complex robot that incorporates a variety of electrical components. It will require some soldering and you will need to be able to wire motors and chassis. This particular project also requires some basic knowledge about how to use an Arduino. It is a fun robot to make and watch.
Snap Circuit Programmable Robot
Snap Circuits are basically an educational toy that is designed to build robotic devices without having to do a lot of soldering. For this project, the do-it-yourselfer will need to know the basics of working with the PICAXE program. With some specific Snap Circuits parts and a few electrical components you can put together a working robot. The PICAXE programmer uses BASIC code and is what will make your robot work. Once the programming is completed, the robot has to be built. The basic parts are a brain, a power source and a mode of locomotion. The power source is a battery compartment which can hold six AA batteries. Some choose to use the Snap Circuits Rover which is already put together. But this limits later changes particularly if you want to add a robotic grabber arm a little later on.
Snap Circuit Light Activated Robot
This DIY project is a great one for someone just getting started in robotics and it provides a great place to start in basic programming. The end result of this project is a robot that responds to light. Using some basic Snap Circuits parts you can design and build a robot bogy and then program it to perform the desired actions. You will also need a plastic base grid, a rover, 9V battery block, a motor control (IC U8), an 8 pin socket, resistors, conductors and a photo resistor. For this project, you’ll have to construct an H-bridge which contains the motor and then connect it to the power supply. The H-bridge is no more than a simple circuit design. They are designed to be an integrated circuit so that they do not require manual controls. The robot is programmed to respond to certain light levels. Programming will work by alternating the different switches when it senses light and as the left and right motors switch off and on it appears to be “dancing.”
Basic Robot for Beginners
The term “robot” does not have to be synonymous with complex and complicated. There are several very simple designs that are available to help the beginner become familiar with robotics. To build a simple robot that can move about requires understanding a few basic principles. This simple robot helps you reach those goals. A robot can be constructed using a couple of 1.5 volt motors, on/off switch, SPDT switches, some electrical wire and a power supply. There are minimal tools needed for this project and they include a soldering iron and solder, hot glue gun and glue sticks, wire cutters, pliers and a multimeter. Wires are soldered to the battery holder, and then the antenna is glued in place on the battery holder. Two motors are installed on either side of the battery holder and then wheels are added. Once the motors are hooked up the switches can be completed. The motors are connected to each other as well as the on/off switch. Once the robot is completed and switched on it will begin to move. Once it hits an obstacle the SPDT switch on that side is activated which causes the robot to reverse its action on that side so that it avoids the obstacle.
LDR Robot
The LDR robot is also designed to avoid obstacles and it is a light seeking robot. The Light Dependent Resistor will seek for light and its infrared sensor will detect any obstacles in its path so that they can be avoided. This is a more complex robot that incorporates a variety of electrical components. It will require some soldering and you will need to be able to wire motors and chassis. This particular project also requires some basic knowledge about how to use an Arduino. It is a fun robot to make and watch.