How to Buy Robot Chips and Boards

Robotics is a burgeoning field and hobby for countless professionals, students and tinkerers. Any robotics engineer worth his salt will tell you that the control boards and micro chips that run the programming of a robot are of utmost importance. Buying these chips and boards is easier than ever using the Internet and these simple steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Define your robot's complexity to decide the types of chips you will need. A very simple robot that maneuvers along a pre programmed route or that avoids obstacles will only need a single 16-bit micro controller.
2. Ask experienced robotics hobbyists for their suggestions on a robot forum such as www.seattlerobotics.org.
3. Keep your design simple; manufactured micro controllers are available for less than ten dollars, so if you use imaginative and well planned programming you can save your money for complex items like sensors and servos.
4. Consider beginner robot kits like LEGO Mindstorms if you've never built a robot before. You can reuse the boards from these kits for future robotics applications.
5. Shop around on the Internet there innumerable deals to be found at electronic warehouses and online auctions.

Tips & Warnings

• Check on www.eBay.com for great deals on used and new micro controllers, computer boards and micro chips.
• Robot building workshops and kits are available through www.seattlerobotics.org.
• For a bit more money and tons of experience you can build your own micro controller with a no soldering bread board. These are available at electronics supply stores, such as Radio Shack.
• Children should not operate soldering and brazing equipment without qualified supervision.