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!
Nifty jumping bot created at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). Jumping can be a very efficient mode of locomotion for small robots to overcome large obstacles and travel in natural, rough terrain. We present the development and characterization of a novel 5cm, 7g jumping robot. It can jump obstacles as high as more […]
This detailed Instructable shows you how to build your own Wall-E robot, star of the forthcoming Disney/Pixar film of the same name. Wall-E Robot [via]
Crabfu Steamworks’ Swashbots have crabwalked their way from one end of the blogosphere to the other. Folks can’t get enough of the characterful little buggers. I-Wei got tons of requests to post more information about how the bots were made, so he’s posted this three-part build series on YouTube. Swashbot Build Video part 1 of […]
The “Beggar Robot” by Slovenian artist Saso Sedlacek is a robot for the materially deprived consisting of old electronics and spare computer parts and was tested in Slovenian malls where it is forbidden to beg, although the artist contends that this rule does not apply to robots. The second version of the bot is an […]
This custom designed robot motor controller includes integrated RF detection, non-linear joystick control, gyro signal detection, a pneumatic valve controller, H-bridge motor control, and a bunch of other cool features. Check out the link for the full parts descriptions and assembly instructions. Hassock Hog Motor Controller Description
We’ve covered the Vexplorer before here at Make, so now’s a good time to show you how to hack it’s controller so that you can control it from your PC. This project details some simple soldering onto the toy’s remote control and some custom built circuit boards and PCB design. Check out the link for […]
Here is a really well documented robot build that is based on an ATmega8 AVR chip. The web site has detailed build instructions that include everything from making the chassis to programming the AVR chip. More on How to make a robot for about $50
