Even if the brightest light source is back in the direction from whence it came, SunBEAM Seeker Bot will go there. As the name implies, this bot is inspired by BEAM robotics: Biology, Electronics, Aesthetics, Mechanics; and specifically inspired by Randy Sargent’s nearly 20-year-old light-following bot design.
BEAM designs favor discrete components, stimulus-response control systems, and analog logic.
It consists of a simple circuit built around the LM386 low-voltage power amplifier combined with a pair of infrared phototransistors, motors, and battery packs. Also taking design elements from Mousey the Junkbot, SunBEAM adds a roller switch that the bot moves along, which also doubles as an off-switch should the bot topple or get knocked over.
Whether you’re interested in analog ICs, low-voltage amplifiers, or simply want to build a bot from common components, SunBEAM Seeker Bot is a great project for beginners and advanced builders alike.
Watch the video below to see it in action and see how simple and fun it is to build. As always, if you build your own or modify any of our beginner-friendly Weekend Projects be sure to send us an email with images and a story of your experience.
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- Make a BEAM Solar Roller and “Symet” and get creative with your designs and customized wheels. Click here to build this bot.
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- Build dynamically entertaining spinners for your sunny spots and be mesmerized for minutes on end. Click here to build this bot.
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- A little spinning top that looks like a satellite in orbit. Click here to build this bot.
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- A combination of the solar roller and solar grasshopper. Click here to build this bot.
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- Ultra-simple bugbot navigates with feelers and switches, from MAKE Volume 12. Click here to build this bot.
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- Make a BEAM Vibrobot or link two bots together with one more powerful solar cell! Click here to build this bot.
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- A simple, fun robot built into a candy tin, from MAKE Volume 10. Click here to build this bot.
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- A little solar-powered race car made from techno-junk. Click here to build this bot.
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- Classic project exploring the fine art of making Frankenmice. Click here to build this bot.
