Sub-$100 Cardboard Hexapod Robot

Energy & Sustainability Robotics
Sub-0 Cardboard Hexapod Robot

Mike Estee has been laser-cutting robot limbs from cardboard and is making great progress on his hexapod project. He explains:

As I’ve written about in the past, cost can be measured in many ways. For this exercise I’m primarily interested in cost of materials, cost of manufacturing, and assembly time. Design time isn’t particularly optimized here, but as we build on previous iterations, hopefully we can stay ahead of complexity. On the cold hard cash front, I think I’m doing pretty well. This little fellow consists of: $1.00 in cardboard, $54.60 in servos, and $29.95 in servo controllers.

Mike has put up great documentation of his build so far, even including the template files for the body parts. I’m sure others could build their own cardboard hexapods for even shorter money by utilizing salvaged equipment and recycled materials.

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In addition to being an online editor for MAKE Magazine, Michael Colombo works in fabrication, electronics, sound design, music production and performance (Yes. All that.) In the past he has also been a childrens' educator and entertainer, and holds a Masters degree from NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program.

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