Making a robot can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s the perfect combination of creativity, engineering and problem solving. However, if you’re just getting started in robotics, it can also be overwhelming. To make things easier for those who are just starting out, we’ve put together some tips and tricks to help makers bring robots to life! From the basics of assembling your robot to software implementation, these pointers will give you everything you need to get started on your robotic adventure!
This is the i-Shovel, a prototype of an autonomous snow shovel. It is meant to be left outside, waiting for snowfall. When it detects one inch of snow, it goes to work shoveling the driveway. I would have loved this as a kid! Follow the link for more info.
This week I am going to show you how to get up and running with the 3pi by Pololu. I will be going through all the steps needed to upload the line following program that is included from Pololu. Getting started with the 3pi isn’t too difficult, but there are a few applications and drivers […]
By way of BotJunkie comes this robot vacuum, the Dustbot, sold by Tomy in 1985. I’d never even heard of it. The broom and dustpan is not, apparently, how it does its job. That’s just for a little light entertainment while it attempts a little light vacuuming. Tomy Vacuuming Dustbot Had Edge Sensors In 1985
LARS is a really nice project for several reasons. First, it’s a robot powered by an Arduino with lots of sensors. Second, it’s being build by a father and his son. I can’t think of a better thing to do with your kids than teach them a new skill that can use for the rest […]
Here is OddBot’s next attempt at making a low cost DIY IR tracking system. I really like how he shares his successes and failures during the entire build process. This is a great resource for learning about IR LEDs. My newest array, with navy blue IR LEDs works better as I’ve gone back to a […]
Q4 Technologies, Ltd is a UK company that makes a line of software to control the WowWee toy/hobby robots. Anyone who’s spent any time using a WowWee controller to remote-control or script program routines for their bot knows how tedious, and limiting, this method can be. Go-Robo Studio works with most of the WowWee Robotics […]
National Geographic interviews Wu Yulu, a chinese farmer obsessed with building walking machines. Wu was ridiculed for a long time because of his mechanical creativity, but recently has gained recognition for his self-taught skills after being named China’s most innovative farmer. Over the years he’s managed to construct some pretty awesome automatons from salvaged materials. […]
