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Make: Volume 45 – Robot Workshop
May is Robot Month at Maker Media, and in this volume of Make:, we’ll take a deeper look at the latest developments in the robotics industry; the DIY humanoid robotic movement, the resurgence of battling bots, and Maker manufacturing (both in Shenzhen and domestically).
In this issue:
- Inmoov: The coolest builds of the 3D printed, open-source robot from France that has become a global prototyping platform.
- Combat Bots are Back! Battle bots are making their resurgence and influencing real-world robot applications. (Includes a Combat Bot design project!)
- Featured Project: Universal Gripper/robotic hand
- Featured Project: DIY Self-Balancing Robot (Arduino-based build)
- Gareth Branwyn navigates the Maker manufacturing scene and provides stories and insights.
ON THE COVER: “Gray” by Alan Timm is part of the InMoov project, an open source, life-size, 3D-printable robot designed by Gael Langevin.
Table of Contents
COLUMNS
Welcome
Dale Dougherty and Kate Azar
To build a better robot, build a better team.Page 08
Made on Earth
Explore the amazing world of backyard technology.Page 10
FEATURES
Innovate in China
Gareth Branwyn
A Maker’s introduction to Shenzhen.Page 18
The New Tech Times
Bryan Lufkin
How the Makers at The New York Times are inventing the future of media.Page 24
Maker Pro Q&A
DC Denison
3Doodler co-founder Max Bogue talks printing pens.Page 27
SPECIAL SECTION
Robot Workshop
Makers worldwide are building new and impressive robots, and you can too! Page 28
In Our Image
Geeta Dayal
How the open-source, 3D-printable humanoid robot InMoov was born.Page 30
InMoov Around the World
Geeta Dayal
From altruistic to entertaining, InMoov's community has stepped in with an array of applications.Page 32
ArduRoller: Self-Balancing Robot
Jason Short
Build a balance-bot with GPS and send it on fully autonomous missions.Page 34
Simple Tensegrity Robot
Kathy Ceceri
Build this surprisingly resilient structure, then make it move. From our new book, Making Simple Robots.Page 38
Universal Robot Gripper
Jason Poel Smith
Build a simple amorphous “jamming” gripper to pick up all kinds of objects.Page 40
Round 2 — Fight!
Nathan Hurst
BattleBots is coming back to TV — but fighting robots never really went away. Plus: What color should your robot be?Page 42
Combat Concepting with Cardboard
Zachary Lytle
Mock-up and test your bot ideas with this low-tech tool.Page 46
SKILL BUILDER
Tips on Soldering, Filing, Wire Strippers, and More
Jordan Bunker
Explore tools and techniques to give you the skills to take on those challenging projects.Page 49
PROJECTS
High-Speed Splash Photography
Thomas Burg and Johannes Gottwald
Build a simple rig using Arduino to capture stunning shots at the moment of impact.Page 58
Square Light Ring
Isiah Xiong
Capture unique eye highlights with a DIY rig.Page 61
Crochet a Mermaid Lapghan
Shelley Bunyard
Create your own mermaid tail with this cozy couch blanket.Page 62
Kids’ DIY “FUNiture”
Larry Cotton and Phil Bowie
Let ’em build 5 different pieces with one color-coded set you can make in a weekend.Page 66
Who’s Watching You?
Make: Editors
Protect your digital privacy with these DIY projects.Page 70
Raspberry Pi Home Arcade
Tyler Winegarner
Play your favorite 8-bit video games with MAME and an Arduino Esplora controller.Page 72
DIY Tripod Flashlight
Jason Babler
Make a stick-anywhere base for your favorite flashlights.Page 74
1+2+3 — Building Block Picture Puzzles
Jason Poel Smith and Julie West
Use Lego to create puzzles with your favorite pictures. Page 75
Remaking History — Dancing Spheres
William Gurstelle and Rob Nance
Make a mind-blowing, blazing fast physics demo of geometrical mechanics.Page 76
Really, Really Random
Charles Platt and Aaron Logue
Assemble an ingenious true random number generator from just a few components.Page 78
Das Neunvoltzensvitcher!
Sean Michael Ragan
Build a 9V battery clip with a tiny built-in power switch.Page 82
Howtoons
Howtoons
Build your own extendable robo arm!Page 83
Amateur Scientist
Forrest M. Mims III
Tracking volcanic blasts.Page 84
1+2+3 — Clothes Folding Board
Jason Poel Smith and Andrew J. Nilsen
Make folding your laundry a breeze every time.Page 86
Toy Inventor’s Notebook
Bob Knetsger
Fashion a faux-enamel trinket maker.Page 87
TOOLBOX
Tool Reviews
Unique and useful Maker tools, toys, and materials.Page 88
New Maker Tech
On the horizon for electronic accessories.Page 91
Books
Text tools for your bench or bedside table.Page 91
3D Printer Review
Matt Stultz
LulzBot Mini, thoroughly tested.Page 92
OVER THE TOP
Tradinno the Gargantuan
James Burke
Robot dragons are real, and they’re terrorizing Germany.Page 96
