How to Build a Robot Car

Building a robot car is one of the more simple endeavors in the robot field. Because the design of a robot car can incorporate pieces from existing parts, it is not that difficult to put together a working model.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• RC Car Wheel base Velcro pieces (2) Professional strength glue 4-way receiver 4-way controller Nickel-cadmium battery Servos (2) Dual-lock tape

1. Scout around your house. What do you have that may be used in your robot car? Remember, the base design of this robot is a car. Simple radio-controlled pieces from an RC car device can go a long way in laying the groundwork for your robot car. If you have an RC car or some similar device, your job will be easier and less expensive. Make full use of whatever you have on hand.

2. Use a wheel base piece from your existing RC car, or a wheel base from any other suitable device that fits the dimensions you desire for your robot car. It can be as large or small as you like, but just make sure you have wheels that can support the weight. Your wheel base need only be a flat, sturdy panel with four wheels attached around the perimeter, so many a toy car can provide what you need. With the base in hand, attach a piece of Velcro to each side of the wheel base. You can use a strong adhesive such as professional strength glue to accomplish this.

3. Locate a receiver and a controller for your robot car. These will allow you to communicate with, and control, your robot. You will want a controller and receiver that provide at least a four-way control method. A four-way control method will allow for vertical and horizontal movement up and down, as well as left and right. Attach the receiver to the top of the wheel base via one of the pieces of Velcro.

4. Find a nickel-cadmium battery pack and attach it to the bottom of the wheel base via the other piece of Velcro.

5. Take your motors that you have on hand. It is recommended that to power your robot car, you use two servos (essentially motors) and attach one to each side of the top of the wheel base, near the perimeter. Use dual lock tape to do so.

6. Wire all the components to the receiver. The battery and both servos must be attached and run through the receiver. Take the wires leading from the servos and attach these to the channels at the end of the receiver. The two servos should be wired in adjacent channels, while the battery should be wired on the opposite end from the two servos.

7. Test your robot car and make sure you have full control of movement. You now have a robot car. Add any special enhancements or decorations as you see fit.