How to Build a Robot From Scratch
While many people think that building a robot from scratch is a task that can be appointed to only the most advanced electronics fiends or computer-savvy folks, the truth is that a robot can be created from scratch with but a few affordable (and perhaps even household) parts and about 30 minutes of dedicated time. With some careful work and access to a parts, your built-from-scratch robot can be created in no time.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Wheel base
- Nickel-cadmium battery
- Receiver/controller combo (four or six degrees of movement)
- 2 Velcro pieces
- Professional-strength glue
- 2 Servos
- Dual-lock tape
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1
Scout around your house for any old toys that may be used to construct your robot. Particularly, look for a radio-controlled (RC) car, as these can provide many of the components needed for your robot. Whether you salvage the critical parts or buy them from a store or online, be sure to find a wheel base (see link in Resources).
You may strip off the parts a RC car and leave the wheel base to get started on your robot, if necessary.
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2
Connect two pieces of Velcro to your wheel base. Use professional-strength glue to do so. Connect one piece to the bottom of your wheel base and one to the top.
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3
Locate a receiver and controller combo. Make sure the two are compatible and support the same degrees of movement. For instance, ensure that these two components support at least four-way (up-down, left-right) movement for your robot.
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4
Attach the nickel cadmium (or lead-acid, if necessary) battery to the bottom of your wheel base via the Velcro piece. Remember that nickel cadmium batteries are more efficient. Also, connect the receiver to the top of the wheel base via the second piece of Velcro.
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5
Affix the two servos to the top of the wheel base using dual-lock tape. Ensure that the servos are on opposite sides of the base from one another. Each should also be affixed closely to the wheels.
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6
Wire the components together. To do so, make sure everything runs through the receiver. The receiver has channels on the end of it. It is through these channels that the battery and servos will run. Connect the battery to the channel marked "Batt" (if it is marked at all). Then, connect the two servos to the receiver on channels away from where the battery is wired. Ensure that the two servos are connected in directly adjacent channels, but not in the same channel.
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7
Give your robot a test run. Turn on your controller and practice movement, ensuring it rolls along well. If you like, you may make your robot into a battlebot by adding a piece of wood as a battering ram, for example, or any other optional touches you wish to incorporate.
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